"Better take th' reward money out of that bundle," replied Hopalong, nodding at the money in the hands of the trail-boss. "We've dealt 'em like you asked, an' gave you th' cards you want. Our part is finished." McCullough looked from him to the prisoners and then at his friends. "How can I hand it to _you_?" he asked. "Where's Nelson? He's settin' in this." "He'll show up after th' money's paid," said Red innocently as he arose. McCullough hesitated and looked around again. As he did so Idaho carelessly walked over to Red, smoothing out a cigarette paper, and took hold of a paper tag hanging out of Red's pocket and pulled it. Carelessly rolling a cigarette he shoved the tobacco sack back where he had found it, but he did not leave Red's side. Blowing a lungful of smoke into the air he smiled at McCullough. "Shucks, Mac," he said. "You shouldn't ought to have no trouble findin' them rewards in that unholy wad. An' mebby you could find Nelson's missin' eleven hundred on Trask, if you looked real hard. I like a man that goes through with his play." "I'm not lookin' for no eleven hundred at all!" snapped McCullough. "An' I ain't shore that they've earned th' reward, burnin' that buildin' like they did! They let these fellers get away, first!" "I just handed you th' money I found on Sandy Woods," said Hopalong. "That's like givin' it to you to pay us with. H--l! You act like you hated to make good Twitchell's bargain. Well, of course, you don't have to take this bunch, nor th' money, neither; but I'm sayin' they don't go separate. Suits us, Mac--we'll keep th' whole show--money an' all, if you say so." "Fine chance you got!" retorted the trail-boss, bridling. "They're here--an' I'm takin' 'em, _with_ th' money." "There ain't nobody takin' nothin'," rejoined Hopalong calmly, "until th' bargain's finished. Don't rile Johnny, off there in th' brush; he's plumb touchy." His drawling voice changed swiftly. "Come on--a bargain's a bargain. Five thousand, _now_!" "Mac!" said Quayle's accusing voice. The trail-boss looked at the money in his hand and slowly counted out the reward amount, careful not to include any of the registered bills. "Here," he said, handing them to Hopalong. "You give us a hand gettin' 'em to th' ranch?" "If three of us could catch 'em, an' bring 'em here," said Hopalong, coldly, "I reckon you got enough help to take 'em th' rest of th' way--if you steer clear of town." "Don't worry, Mac," said Idaho, cheerfully. "_I_'ll go along with you." The trail-boss growled in his throat and began, with Lukins, Waffles, and Quayle, to get the prisoners on the horses. This soon was accomplished and he headed them south, Lukins on the other side, Quayle and Waffles and Idaho bringing up the rear. "Better come to town for a celebration," called the proprietor, disappointment in his voice. "Ye can leave at dawn."