Page:Jackson Gregory--joyous trouble maker.djvu/146

130 employed his monster, tobacco stained knife to cut them into proper lengths, and whistling his adored air from "Il Trovatore," approached Tom Hardy. For an instant Steele feared that he would have to keep his promise and put a hole in the man's leg. But Hardy, seeing the look in Steele's eyes, gave over cursingly and let Turk bind his wrists behind him.

"I'll get you some day for this, Turk," was all that he said.

Turk sighed and shook his head, remarked: "That's what they all say, Tom; it ain't no ways original," and resumed "Il Trovatore."

"Tie his feet, too?" he asked of Steele.

"No; he'll need them," was the blunt rejoinder. "Truss up your other friend."

There was a considerable show of frank pleasure in Turk's prompt obedience. Then he turned for further orders.

"Take the other rifle and go get Johnnie Thorp," said Steele. "Or if your ankle hurts you. … Here, you ride herd on these two boys and I'll bring in Johnnie."

He passed his rifle to Turk who sat down with it across his knees, making himself comfortable upon a rock and at last reaching for his slab of tobacco. Steele, taking up the other gun, disappeared among the trees, returning presently with Thorp marching sullenly in front of him.

"You three gentlemen," he said, as Thorp took his place between his glowering companions, "have a nice