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Updated: June 5, 2025
Though they dared not refuse to go, the men, however, were not backward in expressing their disapproval of the move, declaring that they were tempting disaster by returning when they had made so successful a start. But Megget paid no attention to their grumblings and soon his companions lapsed into silence.
"To think we were within two miles of meeting Megget again," exclaimed Tom as they rode along. "I'm afraid we would not have got away from him so well this time." As he heard the remark, Lawrence turned and looked the boy over from head to foot, finally saying with a smile: "So you are the lad Gus ran foul of up in Oklahoma?" "Yes, but my brother was with me." "Which is he?"
This confirmation of his words from the very one who had captured him gave Lawrence heart, and quick to see the advantage it gave him, he pressed it, saying: "There, you see, I'm telling you straight. And everything else I've said is just as true." "Why didn't you strike for the hills when you recovered your senses?" asked Mr. Wilder. "You would have been safe there, both from Megget and from us."
Still, if you give us any assistance in founding up Megget, we'll not forget it." "Well, I'll do all I can, honest I will, Mr. Wilder." "Don't trust him, Wilder," interposed the owner of the Three Stars, "When a man is so willing to turn on his pals, there's something wrong." "See here, Jim Snider, you keep out of this. I'm talking to Mr. Wilder, not to you. He's square.
I saw Sandy the other day, and he said they were all going up to Tolopah to bring down a herd Snider brought from Montana, It's my idea the thieves knew this and planned a wholesale raid." "H m. That sounds likely," commented Mr. Wilder. "Who do you think is at the head of it, Nails?" "Gus Megget. He's the only one with the nerve to pull it off."
At the mention of the ruffian cow-puncher the boys looked at one another and then at their father, who said: "That can't be, Nails. Megget tried some of his funny business with these two boys, Larry and Tom Alden, up in Oklahoma the other day." "And they made a monkey of him," interposed Horace gleefully. "What, them two?" returned the cowboy, looking at the brothers with keen interest.
"Well, it has been easier to round up Megget and his gang than I ever imagined it could be, thanks to you, Lawrence," exclaimed Mr. Wilder as they left the mine to join the others. "It was no fun at all," protested Horace, and his opinion voiced the sentiments of the cowboys. "Can't we wake them up or do something to let them know they've been captured?"
"But what grudge has Megget against me?" asked Mr. Wilder in surprise. "You are the one who leased the Long Creek bottoms, aren't you?" returned Nails, answering the question, Yankee fashion, by another. "To be sure. But what has that to do with it?" "Everything. Megget's been rustling cattle for years, and the Long Creek bottoms were where he used to drive the cattle he'd lifted.
Your act in refusing to obey Megget, which beyond doubt has saved my cattle at the pool, shows you are not thoroughly bad. Therefore, if you will lead us by the shortest trail to the headquarters at the Lost Lode and help us round up Megget and his gang, I will give you a job on my ranch."
It was the chums' turn to be surprised as they heard this statement. "Then you know him?" queried Tom. "I know of him," corrected the ranchman, and the boys noted that the kindly expression of his face disappeared as he spoke. "Gus Megget is a very bad man. He hasn't done an honest day's work for five years. People say he is a train robber, and I've always believed he was a cattle thief, too.
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