At a glance, he realized that the boy was in great danger, and grinding
his teeth savagely, he rode at him like mad, from time to time shouting
to Bob to keep up courage.
But the plucky boy saw and recognized his employer long before he heard
his reassuring words, and the sight lent him fresh strength.
The pursuers also saw Ford and redoubled their efforts to reach Bob
first. But the terrific pace was telling on their mounts and they made
little progress.
With a yell of exultation, Ford reached Bob, gave him a hand and lifted
him up behind to the saddle, asking:
"What are they after you for?"
"Because I wanted to warn you!" answered Bob, and hurriedly he related
all he had overheard and the incidents of the pursuit.
As he listened to the story, the ranchman's face grew terrible to
behold. And as it was finished, he sat in silence a moment, then fairly
hissed:
"My law is not 'an eye for an eye' or 'a tooth for a tooth.' But four
eyes for an eye!"
For an instant only was Bob mystified by this speech.
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