Even
then he did not realize that his position was a perilous one.
"You untie me and let me go, or it'll be the worse for you," threatened
Rector.
"I reckon I've got you this time," grinned the mountaineer.
"I know you. You're the fellow who has been shooting at us. You will
get what is coming to you when my friends find out what you have done
to me. What do you think I am anyway?"
"That's what I reckoned to find out," answered the man. "Who be you?"
"That's what I am asking you."
"I reckon I ain't answering fool questions."
"Why did you shoot at us?"
"Did I?"
"You know you did."
z
"What's your name?" asked the mountaineer, evading the question.
"My name is Rector---Ned Rector."
"Where you from?"
"Missouri."
"What you doing here?"
"Maybe I am traveling for my health," answered Ned with a half sneer.
He was not advancing his own cause by his attitude.
"I reckon you'll answer my questions and without putting on any
trimmings either," announced the fellow, shifting his rifle around
so that the barrel lay along his right leg, the muzzle pointing
straight at Ned. The latter was not greatly disturbed at this.
He did not think, for a moment, that the man would dare to shoot
him. Ned did not realize what a desperate character he was facing.
"I will answer what I choose. You can't make me answer any questions
that I don't want to," declared Rector defiantly.
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