Whereupon the man behind them came forward and appropriated Old Ironsides to his own use.
"Too bad we had to interrupt Sunday-school," he remarked ironically.
"You can go ahead with the meetin' now--the collection has been took up." He laughed without any real mirth in his voice and gathered up the reins.

"If yuh want our horses, they're up on the bench.

I don't reckon they'll ever turn another cow, but such as they are you're quite welcome.

Better set still, boys, till we get out uh sight; one of us'll keep an eye peeled for yuh.

So long, and much obliged." They turned and rode warily down the slope.
"Now, wouldn't that jar yuh ?" asked Bob in deep disgust His hands dropped to his sides; in another second he was up and shooting savagely.
"Get behind the rock, Bud," he commanded.
Just then a rifle cracked, and Bob toppled drunkenly and went limply to the grass.
"My God!" cried Thurston, and didn't know that he spoke.