But he wouldn't go. He ran off from me right
here in this forest."
What could have been Dick's object in telling such a lie? It made me
wonder. Perhaps these lumbermen were more dangerous than I had supposed,
and Dick did not wish them to believe I had left Penetier. Maybe he was
playing for time, and did not want them to get alarmed and escape before
the officers came.
"Why did he run off?" asked Stockton.
"Because I meant to send him home, and he didn't want to go. He's crazy to
camp out, to hunt and ride."
"If that's true, Leslie, there's been no word sent to Washington."
"How could there be?"
"Well, I've got to hold you anyway till we see Buell. His orders were to
keep you and Ward prisoners till this lumber deal is pulled off. We're not
going to be stopped now."
Leslie turned crimson, and strained on the lasso that bound him to the
sapling. "Somebody is going to pay for this business!" he declared,
savagely. "You forget I'm an officer in this forest."
"I'll hold you, Leslie, whatever comes of it," answered the lumberman. "I'd
advise you to cool down."
"You and Buell have barked up the wrong tree, mind that, Stockton. Jim
Williams, my pardner, is wise. He expects me back tomorrow."
"See hyar, Stockton," put in Bill, "you're new in Arizona, an' I want to
give you a hunch.
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