"What d'ye mean?" flared up Isham. "You're pretty danged fresh for a man that's jest saved his neck." "Perhaps so," he assented. "Am I still your prisoner, or am I free to go?" "You'll wait until I ask you a few more questions." And Isham beckoned his brother to one side. They talked together with their eyes on their prisoner, and then Isham Scarborough returned. Though he was the leader of the gang, both Red and Meshackatee seemed to regard him with scant respect; yet he was their spokesman, being by nature loud and boastful, while Red was watchful and silent, and he began with some general remarks. "Now lookee here, my friend," he said, stepping closer and looking his prisoner in the eye, "you don't want to think, jest because you're bad, that anybody around here's afraid of you. The _hombre_ don't live that can make me apologize, and you'd better not make any threats; but if you'll answer a few questions and act like a gentleman we'll let you go into the Basin. Now, who is this feller that you're looking for so hard--and does he belong to the Bassetts or the Scarboroughs?" "Not to either, that I know of--he may not be in the Basin--but I give you my word that this mission of mine has nothing to do with your quarrel." "Yes, but what's his name?" persisted Isham shrewdly. "If we knowed who he was we could danged soon find out for you----" "I cannot give his name," answered the stranger firmly, and Isham reared up his head. "Aw, let 'im go on," broke in Red John impatiently. "But say, what about that horse?" "Well, make your own talk," replied Isham sulkily, and Red came over with a grin. "That's all right, pardner," he said, "sorry to make you any trouble but we've got to keep watch of these trails. Now about that horse, he's got a New Mexico brand on him and that's liable to git you into trouble; but I've got a big bay that everybody knows, and jest to ride him will git you by anywhere. I'll trade you the bay and ten dollars to boot----" "No, I'm sorry," returned Hall, "but my horse is a pet and I couldn't consider a trade." "Give you twenty-five dollars!" urged Red John eagerly, but the stranger shook his head. "No," he said. "And now can I go?" "You can go," spoke up Isham, "but I'll have to send along a guide to protect you against the Bassetts. Because if they ketch you now, after you've been stopping with us----" "I can protect myself," answered the stranger shortly, and Red broke into a laugh. "Why didn't you do it, then?" he taunted, "when we nabbed you by the spring? I reckon you're pretty green in these parts." "Yes, I'm green," admitted Hall, "but I'm beginning to learn--and I'm willing to take a chance on the Bassetts."