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"We got a full table. Better ride away and forget it," said

another.

"That ain't what I'm paid for, Jack," returned Fraser

good-naturedly. "Better turn him over to me peaceable, boys.

He'll get what's coming to him all right."

"He'll get it now, Steve, without any help of yours. We don't aim

to allow any butting in."

"Don't you?"

There was a flash of steel as the ranger dived forward. Next

instant he and the prisoner stood with their backs to the

cottonwood, a revolver having somehow leaped from its scabbard to

his hand. His hunting-knife had sheared at a stroke the riata

round the engineer's neck.

"Take it easy, boys," urged Fraser, still in his gentle drawl, to

the astonished vigilantes whom his sudden sally had robbed of

their victim. "Think about it twice. We'll all be a long time

dead. No use in hurrying the funerals."