They could not overtake Whistling Dan on his black stallion, but they might arrive before Silent and his gang got under way. Their numbers were over small to attack the formidable long riders, but they wanted blood. Before Whistling Dan reached the valley of Bald-eagle Creek they were in the saddle and riding hotly in pursuit. CHAPTER XXXV CLOSE IN! In that time ruined shack towards which the posse and Dan Barry rode, the outlaws sat about on the floor eating their supper when Hal Purvis entered. He had missed the trail from the Salton place to the Bald-eagle half a dozen times that day, and that had not improved his bitter mood. "You been gone long enough," growled Silent. "Sit down an' chow an' tell us what you know." "I don't eat with no damned traitors," said Purvis savagely. "Stan' up an' tell us that you're a double crossin' houn', Buck Daniels!" "You better turn in an' sleep," said Buck calmly. "I've knowed men before that loses their reason for want of sleep!" "Jim," said Purvis, turning sharply on the chief, "Barry is at Buck's house!" "You lie!" said Buck. "Do I lie?" said Purvis, grinding his teeth. "I seen Black Bart hangin' around your house." Jim Silent reached out a heavy paw and dropped it on the shoulder of Buck. Their eyes met through a long moment, and then the glance of Buck wavered and fell. "Buck," said Silent, "I like you. I don't want to believe what Purvis says. Give me your word of honour that Whistlin' Dan--" "He's right, Jim," said Buck. "An' he dies like a yaller cur!" broke in Purvis, snarling. "No," said Silent, "when one of the boys goes back on the gang, they pay _me_, not the rest of you! Daniels, take your gun and git down to the other end of the room an' stand with your face to the wall. I'll stay at this end. Keep your arms folded. Haines, you stand over there an' count up to three. Then holler: 'Fire!' an' we'll turn an' start shootin'. The rest of you c'n be judge if that's fair." "Too damned fair," said Kilduff. "I say: String him up an' drill the skunk full of holes." Without a word Buck turned on his heel. "One moment," said Haines. "He ain't your meat, Lee," said Silent. "Jest keep your hand out of this." "I only wish to ask him a question," said Haines. He turned to Buck: "Do you mean to say that after Barry's wolf cut up your arm, you've been giving Whistling Dan a shelter from the law--and from us?" "I give him a place to stay because he was damned near death," said Buck. "An' there's one thing you'll answer for in hell, Haines, an' that's ridin' off an' leavin' the man that got you out of Elkhead. He was bleedin' to death." "Shot?" said Haines, changing colour. Silent broke in: "Buck, go take your place and say your prayers." "Stay where you are!" commanded Haines. "And the girl?" "He was lyin' sick in bed, ravin' about 'Delilah' an' 'Kate.' So I come an' got the girl." Haines dropped his head.