I was laying my plans to get out of there as speedily as possible.

I was now practically certain that I had uncovered the hiding-place of a gang of horse-thieves who could have no possible reason to feel anything but hostility toward an honest man.
The leader of the gang swaggered toward me and inquired menacingly: "Where are you going, young man, and who's with you ?" "I am entirely alone," I returned.

"I left Horseshoe Station this morning for a bear hunt.

Not finding any bears, I was going to camp out till morning.

I heard one of your horses whinnying, and came up to your camp." "Where is your horse ?" "I left him down the creek." They proposed going for the horse, which was my only means of getting rid of their unwelcome society.