The second rascal, in his sitting position, attempted to draw a pistol, but Allen, producing his own weapon, forced the man to remain stationary.
"We hev ye, stranger," remarked Watson after a second of silence. "Do ye acknowledge the corn?"
"What's the meaning of this outrage?" growled the fellow who was standing, and he scowled fiercely, first at the old hunter and then at the young ranchman.
"It means firstly that ye are in our power," chuckled Watson. It was evident that he thoroughly enjoyed the situation.
"It's Ike Watson from Gold Fork," put in the man who was sitting.
"Ike Watson!" the face of the speaker grew quite disturbed. It was plain he had heard of Watson before and did not relish being held up by the well-known old man.
"Ye-as, I'm Ike Watson," drawled the old hunter. "Now, strangers, give me yer handles, and let me have 'em straight."
"My name is Roe Bluckburn," came from the standing man.
"Mine is Lou Slavin, and I'm not ashamed of it," came from the other.
"Jes' so," mused Watson. "I've heard o' both o' yeez belongin' to the old Sol Davids gang o' hoss thieves."
"You are mistaken. We are not thieves of any sort," said Bluckburn, who appeared the leader of the pair.
"Well, we won't quarrel about that, seein' ez how we are on another trail ter day. We want ye ter up an' tell us ter onct whar Barnaby Winthrop is."
"Yes, and tell us the truth," put in Allen, sternly.
The men were both taken aback by the request. They exchanged glances and each waited for the other to speak.
"Come, out with it, Bluckburn!" cried Watson.
"Ye can't come it thet way. Didn't I hear ye talkin' it over down ter Casey's Forks only yesterday? Come, out with the truth, or take the consequences!" and to scare the horse thief Ike Watson tapped his gun barrel suggestively.
"Must be some mistake. We wasn't near Casey's Fork in a month. Eh, Lou?"
"Ye tell it so smooth I would most believe ye, if I hadn't follered ye up," growled Watson. "But we know ye air in the deal ag'in Barnaby Winthrop, an' I am hyer ter help his nevvy thar, Allen Winthrop. So ye hed better ease yer mind ter onct. Understand?"
The two men turned their attention to Allen curiously. They wished to hold a consultation, but Watson would not permit it.