"
"I want them when they are just outside the bush. If their backs are
turned toward us, all the better. We'll give them a hot dose that will
give them something to think about," jeered Willie.
"Well, isn't he the cold-blooded fish?" whispered Chunky. "I'd like to
take a pot shot at him right where he stands."
"So should I," answered Tad. "But I couldn't do it, bad as he is."
"No, I guess it wouldn't be exactly prudent," returned the fat boy.
"That wasn't what I meant. Prudence hasn't anything to do with it.
It would be cold-blooded."
"Ready! Work the lever," commanded the captain as the voice of the
lookout called down the one word "Right!"
"Get ready," whispered Tad. "I'm going to bolt. Don't make a sound.
We may lose our lives, but I'm going to save the others. If I shoot,
drop in your tracks, but be careful not to drop in the opening. Now
think as you never thought before!"
"Wha---what are you going to do?" stammered the fat boy.
"Watch me. I can't explain it to you now. There goes the tree."
The operation of the huge bulk was very simple. One of the men
procured a long pole from a crevice in the rock. This he thrust down
under the roots of the tree, adjusted it and then began working the
pole as one would a pump handle. The tree began to rise at once.
Tad saw that the outlaw was working a pneumatic jack, on which he
figured a piece of timber had been placed so as not to crumble the
dirt from the roots when the bulk was raised by the jack.
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