Ellis walked up to take the black mule. He led him aside, and Joe
remained quiet.
"You two drop your guns."
They let their firearms fall to the ground. Joe ordered, "Now get out.
You can pick up your guns after we leave. But if we see either of you
again, we'll shoot to kill."
They strode back toward where they'd left whatever mounts they'd ridden
here. Pale and shaken, Emma got out of the wagon to stand beside Joe.
"Joe, those men will give us trouble!"
Ellis, standing beside the black mule, spoke to Joe. "How come you
didn't give them back their mule?"
"Because it isn't their mule," Joe said. "Those men are rustlers. All
they'll do is hightail it back to wherever they left their other stolen
stock and get out of the country."
"Exactly," said Ellis. With his hand he parted the hair on the mule's
side, revealing a brand. "This is an army mule. It can be returned when
we get to Camp Axton, which is probably where it was stolen in the first
place."