"Here, you," he added, turning to his men, "two of you ride a mile
up and Squinty and I'll ride south. When I give the call, fire the
grass and then ride for the trail and drive the cattle to the mine.
I'll cut across and warn Vasquez and the others."
CHAPTER XX
THE PRAIRIE FIRE
As his men heard the words and realized their significance, they
glanced at their leader and then at one another.
Yet none of them moved.
"Are you deaf?" roared Megget. "Do as I say--and lively. Squinty,
come with me." And clapping spurs to his pony, he dashed southward.
Fearing to disobey, the two raiders delegated to ride to the north
started. But as soon as they were out of earshot one of them said:
"Megget can fire the prairie if he wants to, I won't. I'm none too
stuck on cattle raiding, anyhow, but when it comes to starting a
fire that will probably wipe out the Half-Moon outfit and perhaps
even the herd, Bobby Lawrence balks!"
"Showing the white feather, eh?" snarled his companion. "I warned
Gus you wasn't any good, but he wouldn't believe me. You'll do
what he says, though, as long as you're with Red Ike!"
Red Ike was a giant in strength, the bully of the gang, and
Lawrence had seen too much of him to care to risk an encounter with
him, so with a growl he said:
"All right. Lead the way."
"Not much. I'll ride beside you, so you won't come any tricks.
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