As for the rest, go
ahead when you like--but don't do any more hitting with your fists."
"We'll go ahead with the lariat, then?" hinted Duff eagerly.
"If that's the pleasure of the gentlemen," Bodson agreed, bowing
slightly.
To the gambler it seemed the opportune moment to rush matters.
"Bring up lariats, two of you," Duff ordered, turning around to the
others. "And don't waste time over it."
The rawhide ropes were brought. The gambler himself tied the nooses,
testing them to see that they ran freely.
"Bring Reade and Hazelton under the trees," was Duff's next order, which
was obeyed. Bodson and Moore, their weapons still in their hands,
followed, keeping keen watch over the way the affair was conducted.
"Any choice of trees Reade?" inquired Jin Duff.
"None," answered Tom shortly. His face was pallid and set, though he
did not show any other sign of fear.
"Hazelton?"
"One tree is as good as another," Harry answered in a strangely quiet
voice.
In the midst of an impressive silence, and with motions that seemed
oddly unreal to the tended victims, Duff placed the two young engineers.
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