An Important Capture
Of course Paul made a prompt retreat. It would have been worse than
useless, just then, to have remained where he was, with his hands on the
stockade gate.
The party outside could not see Captain Grady, but from the direction of
his voice they knew he was on the other side of the stockade at a point
where several peep and gun holes covered the entrance.
"That's right, you better git back!" went on the captain, as Paul
retreated.
"See here, Grady, what does this mean?" demanded Caleb Dottery, as he
advanced in the direction of the guard openings.
"It means that I have got possession of this ranch, which rightfully
belongs to me, and I mean to keep it," was the grim reply, delivered
with great force and distinctness.
"The Winthrop boys deny yer rights."
"That makes no difference. I know what's what."
"Open the gate and let us talk it over quietly," went on Dottery, who
was naturally a peaceably inclined individual.
"I'm not opening the gate just now. Those boys can go away. I don't mind
you coming around, but I don't want those boys here."
"Well, you'll have to put up with us," cried Chet, angrily. "Now, open
the gate, or we'll smash it down!"
"Don't be rash, Chet!" whispered Paul.
"You monkey!" roared Captain Grady. "Fall back, before I let you have a
dose of buckshot!"
"There will be no shooting here, Captain, unless ye want ter get wiped
out," broke in Jack Blowfen. "Open the gate fer yer neighbors and let us
hev a powwow."
"I've told you wot I'll do--open up when the boys go away."
"Come on, Chet," whispered Paul to his younger brother.
"Yes, but Paul----"
"Come on, I say," and Paul whispered something into Chet's ear.
At once, with a wink at Jack Blowfen, the two boys started off on a
gallop toward the river.
"Do you think we can do it?" asked Chet, anxiously.
"I think so. We can try, anyway."
Dismounting, the brothers made their way to where a deep ditch drained
from the ranch home under the stockade into the river. The ditch was
almost dry and was all but choked up with weeds and brush.
"Now, Chet, it is a serious undertaking, but you know we must take some
chances," went on Paul, as they let themselves down into the ditch. "The
captain may really shoot at us, although I think he will hardly dare do
it with Blowfen and Mr. Dottery at hand to see that justice is done."
"If he shoots, we'll shoot back," replied Chet. "He has no right on our
land, and, besides, we must do something for Uncle Barnaby's sake."
Full of determination, and realizing that a crisis was at hand, the two
boys wormed their way along the ditch until the stockade was reached.
Here a few wooden bars blocked the way. But one of the bars was loose
and was wrenched aside, and they went on.
"We must be careful, in case any one is in the house," said Paul in a
whisper.
The ditch led around to the rear of the ranch home. But here it went
underground and they were compelled to leave it and take to the grass.
They gave a brief look and saw Captain Grady down by the opening in the
stockade, still arguing with Dottery and Blowfen. He looked anxious.
"He don't see us," whispered diet. "Come, the front door is open!" and
he made a quick dash for the house, followed closely by Paul.
The door was closing on the pair when Captain Grady started around and
beheld Paul's form from the rear. He gave a quick cry of alarm.
"Stop! Come out!"
"Too late, Captain Grady!" called back Paul, facing about and aiming at
the man with his gun. "Now, just you go and open the stockade gate!"
"Thar ain't no need o' thet!" cried the voice of Jack Blowfen. "Well
done, boys; I give ye credit."
And over the stockade vaulted the cowboy, leaping from his saddle to the
grass on the other side.
Captain Grady knew not which way to turn, and before he could decide the
gate was unbarred and Caleb Dottery rode in.
In the meantime Chet had taken a hasty glance through the house and
satisfied himself that Captain Grady was really alone. There was
evidence that several visitors had been there but recently--a number of
unwashed dishes and drinking glasses.
Chet returned to the doorway and beheld Captain Grady in Jack Blowfen's
strong grasp. The firearm had been wrenched from the captain and hurled
a dozen feet away.
"This--this is an outrage!" puffed the captain in a great rage.
"So is the way ye set up to treat neighbors," replied the cow puncher,
coolly. "Why didn't ye leave us in like gentlemen an' thus avoid all
trouble?"
The captain glared at him.
"What does this mean?" he demanded sullenly after a pause.
"Can you hold him, Blowfen?" asked Paul, anxiously.
"I reckon, Paul; but maybe ye might better keep him covered with yer
gun."
"This means that we have come to take possession of our own," put in
Chet. "We told you that we would be back."
"It's ag'inst the law, and I'll have the sheriff on you!" shouted
Captain Grady wrathfully.
"We'll chance that," said Paul. "March into the house, please. We want
to question you a bit on another matter," he continued.
Captain Grady started. "What matter?" he asked in a lower tone of voice.
"About our uncle, Barnaby Winthrop."
"Don't know nothing of him," was the reply, and as he spoke Captain
Grady's hand moved up to his inside breast pocket.
Instantly Jack Blowfen leaped upon the rascal and bore him to the
earth.