In his right hand he gripped the only rifle there now was in his
outfit, the one brought back by the man who had been to Dugout.
Jim Ferrers, rifle resting across the front of his saddle, rode
at the head of the Reade-Hazelton party as that outfit reached
the edge of the claim.
On either side of the guide, just to the rear, rode Tom and Harry.
Behind them tramped four men armed with rides, the other two
men carrying a board, stakes and a hammer.
"The first man who sets foot on this claim dies!" shouted Dolph
Gage hoarsely.
"Same thing for any man who raises a rifle against us," Ferrers
called back. "Gage, I want only a good excuse for taking one
honest shot at you!"
The moment was tense with danger. Heedless of the black looks
of Dolph, Tom dug his heels into his pony's flanks, moving forward
at a trot.
"Gage," called the young engineer, steadily, "I think you have been
in wrong often enough. This time I am sure that you will want to keep
on the right side."
"You keep on the right side by staying off the claim!" Gage ordered,
but at that instant Reade rode over the boundary.
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