With this decoy to take his place Sevier sprinted away to pass around the north end of the outlaws’ advance. Occasional shouts and much rifle-fire kept him informed as to the continued success of his deception. Bloody Mouth was retreating, and the few flittering glimpses the horse-thieves caught of him convinced them they all but had Chucky Jack in their power. A crackling among the bushes near by caused Sevier to drop into a hollow and draw his knife. A man in buckskin, evil of face and panting with eagerness to work behind the fugitive and slay from ambush, passed close to the borderer. Only the safety of the Tonpits prevented him from stopping the outlaw. In another five minutes the fugitive knew he was behind the line of searchers. Between him and the trail there could be no menace except as he might encounter a straggler. His return was unimpeded and, cautiously thrusting his head from cover, Sevier beheld two-score horses and five guards. He was surprised at this show of strength, having believed there could not be more than a score of outlaws at the most. A new and daring plan formed in his mind; to rout the guards and run off the animals would be a noble counter-stroke. Without their animals Hajason’s men would feel helpless. He carefully shifted his position, preliminary to covering the guards with his rifle and demanding their surrender, but was interrupted by a commotion in the bush above him. The guards observed it and raised their guns; then they relaxed as Red Hajason and Hester stepped into the trail and slowly walked toward the borderer’s position. “I tell ye, the major’n the woman’s back where my hoss come from,” persisted Hester. “To —— with Chucky Jack. Whistle yer gang back an’ let’s grab ’em.” Hajason smiled cynically and retorted: “D’ye s’pose I didn’t have brains ’nough to know they was back there? That’s why ye run into me on comin’ back here. We both had the same notion, I reckon. Sevier’s out of the way, bein’ chased toward sundown. His goin’ takes the men out of the way. It gives us a chance to git the major’n his girl an’ light out. Old Tassel’s ag’in war. That means Chucky Jack will have plenty of time to fetch his riflemen down on me. I’ve been lookin’ for it for more’n two years. I’m through with this country. Me for the Creek Nation an’ the money McGillivray will pay for the man an’ woman. Then for New ’Leans. Game’s played out on the Hiwassee. Too many —— settlers crowdin’ in.” “Where do I figger in the money McGillivray pays ye?” curiously asked Hester. “I’ll give ye five hundred dollars.” “——! An’ after me fetchin’ ’em to ye!” “Ye fetched ’em ’cause ye couldn’t handle the game yerself. It was me that risked my neck in goin’ to McGillivray. Then I got to square some of the men.” Hester laughed mockingly.