They might have interfered, but Foreman Mendoza ran among his
countrymen, calling out to them vigorously in Spanish, and with so much
emphasis that the men sullenly withdrew.
Foreman Rivers speedily had his fifty men, together, none of whom were
Mexicans.
"Touch a single guy-rope at your peril!" warned Jim Duff menacingly, but
big Superintendent Hawkins seized the gambler by the shoulders, gently,
though, firmly, removing him from the vicinity of the tents.
All in a flash the work was done. Canvas and poles were loaded on to
the wagons. Mr. Rivers's men had entered so thoroughly into the spirit
of the thing that, they forced the drivers to start off, and the
gambler's men to follow.
Goaded to the last ditch of desperation, Jim Duff now strode over to
where Tom stood. No one opposed him, nor did Reade's smile fail.
"Boy, you've had your laugh, just now," announced the gambler, in his
most threatening, tone. "It will be your last laugh."
"Oh, I hope not," drawled Tom.
"You will know more within twenty-four hours.
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