Buck an' the rest of the boys will be a whole lot pleased, too. We
can muster thirty men in two hours if we gets to Buckskin, an' that's
twenty more than we'll need."
"Tell you one thing, Hoppy; we can get as far as Powers' old ranch
house, an' that's shore," replied Red, thoughtfully.
"Yes!" exploded his companion in scorn and pity. "That old sieve of a
shack ain't good enough for _me_ to die in, no matter what you think
about it. Why, it's as full of holes as a stiff hat in a melee. Yo're on
the wrong trail; think again."
Mr. Cassidy objected not because he believed that Powers' old ranch
house was unworthy of serious consideration as a place of refuge and
defence, but for the reason that he wished to reach Buckskin so his
friends might all get in on the treat. Times were very dull on the
ranch, and this was an occasion far too precious to let slip by.
Besides, he then would have the pleasure of leading his friends against
the enemy and battling on even terms. If he sought shelter he and
Red would have to fight on the defensive, which was a game he hated
cordially because it put him in a relatively subordinate position and
thereby hurt his pride.
"Let me tell you that it's a whole lot better than thin air with a
hard-working circle around us--an' you know what that means," retorted
Mr. Connors.
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