"Baxter, reckon ye had better
look into the shack and see what's there."
The bully did as requested. On seeing Jasper Grinder, he started back.
"Grinder!"
"Who calls?" asked the wounded man, and opened his eyes. "So it is you,
Dan Baxter. What do you want?"
"What did you desert us for, Grinder?"
"I didn't desert you. I got lost, and they found me, half starved and
frozen. Now I am wounded. Are you in possession of this camp? Where are
the Rovers?"
"Sam is here. I don't know anything about the others. Have they found
that treasure yet?"
"No. They went off to look for it." Jasper Grinder tried to go on, but
fell back exhausted and could say no more.
"Here's a queer go!" muttered the former bully of Putnam Hall. "I
suppose they shot Grinder. If they did, they ought to suffer for it. I
guess--Hullo, what's up out there?"
A scuffle outside of the shelter had reached his ears. Bill Harney had
been standing close to some firewood, and without warning Sam had rushed
at the big guide and sent him sprawling backward.
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