For an instant no man could guess who would fire the first shot.
Gage was angry and desperate enough to fire and take great chances.
Had he fired at that moment there was no doubt that he would have
been killed at the next breath.
Something stuck in Gage's throat. He did not raise his rifle, but
instead he growled:
"You're a fine lot, to bring a small army against one man!"
"We have as much right here, Gage, as you have, spoke Tom, steadily.
"What do you want here!"
"We have come to look this claim over."
"Get off, then. You have no right here."
"You know, quite well, Gage, that we have as much right here as
you have," Tom rejoined easily. "We are quite well aware that
your man failed to file the claim because all of you have exhausted
your mineral rights under the law.
"So you think you can come here and take it from us, do you?" glared
Gage, his face livid with passion.
"We have just the same right to this claim now that any man has
who has any mineral rights left under the law," Reade made answer.
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