But he adopted a tone different from the Major's and addressed himself to Tobey as the apparent leader of the band.
"Sir," he said calmly but with pointed emphasis, "I believe you were born a gentleman, as were your comrades here." "You are right," answered Tobey.

"And each and every one you see before you has fallen from his former high estate--through no fault of his own." This may have been a sarcasm, for the others laughed in boisterous approval.

"In some respects we are still gentlemen," Tobey went on, "but in others we are not to be trusted.

Be reasonable, sir--I haven't the faintest idea who you are or what your name is--and consider calmly our proposition.

Here we are, a number of young fellows who have seen better and happier days, living alone in the midst of an alkali desert.