“You know the alternative,” coldly replied Morton. “Do your duty and you are safe.” “You are not jesting—you mean this?” “Yes. Strike the blow that avenges Israel Hackett, and we will forget that you refused to do your duty.” “I will do it. I did not think it was so hard to die; and he _did_ treat me mean—like a dog—he even kicked me!” muttered Colton, tremblingly. Morton’s eye gleamed. This sudden change seemed to please him greatly. Thompson looked on in disgust. He felt only contempt for this pitiful craven. “Come, we have lost time enough. Mount and let’s be going. We’ll make a clean sweep of the corrals, too, while about it. Thompson, you and I will keep our friend, here, company,” and Morton glanced significantly at his acolyte. The little band filed forth from the woods, and then set out over the prairie at a rapid gallop—the one gait of Morton’s horsemen. They had only a few miles to travel, and of that they made short work. Jack Colton rode between Thompson and Morton, his head bowed as though strongly agitated. The outlaw chief was in high spirits. Whatever may have been his object, he was greatly pleased with the course affairs had that night taken. “Yonder’s the ranche,” muttered Thompson, slackening his pace. “Now, what’s the programme, old man?” “Well, our first care is to see that Colton, here, does his duty. Either you or I can go with him to the door, just to keep his courage up, you know; the other can take charge of the men and go through the stables and corral.” “Jest as you say, Cap’n Jap. But how’d we best work it—bu’st in an’ take the critter by s’prise, or knock ’im up?” “Best rap at the door. He’ll think it’s all right when he hears Jack’s voice. And as for you, my man,” addressing Colton, “remember that your life depends upon how you act this night. Thompson, you will keep him covered with your pistol, and at the first sign of treachery, drop him. You hear me?” “Yas—I’ll do it, too, so mind yer eye, ole boy,” and the tall ruffian uttered an oath to bind his threat. “You waste a great many words. I have to do this deed, and I will do it. Why do you threaten so much?” quietly added Colton. “Because I don’t half-trust you. I believe you are a traitor at heart, and I am half-sorry that I gave you another chance at the grove. But take care! You’d better have been born dead than to attempt any treachery toward us now. While one of the band lives, your life will be in peril.” “His will may be good a-plenty, but he hain’t got the sand in his craw to act the traitor. But never fret, Cap’n Jap. I’ll see that he puts Hen Colton out o’ the way, or down he goes hisself. Come, we’d better git down here. The houn’s begin to smell us a’ready.”