Arthur M. Winfield

“ Here's the hoss thief, with five o' the hosses with him!"
"Git up thar, young feller, an' give an account o'yerself!"
Tom did not hear these words, but he felt a sharp kick in the ribs and gave a gasp of pain and surprise.
"Let up, Sam," he murmured. "Can't you keep your feet out of my——" He broke off short and stared around him. "Wha—what does this mean?" he stammered.
Three men stood around him-rough-bearded men, each heavily armed.
"It means thet we have collared ye!" answered one of the men sharply. "Git up!" And he kicked Tom again.
"See here, keep your toe to yourself!" cried Tom hotly. ”

“ They were not a bad crowd, although very rough and stern, and it developed presently that Hank Yates had known the Kennedy who had been Anderson Rover's partner in mining operations.
"He war a good man," said Yates. "A bang-up, whole-souled critter. It's a pity he had to turn up his toes, with wuss men hangin' on an never dyin', at all." ”

“ It runs in my mind thet I know this Bill Noxton, 'though perhaps not by thet handle. Thar used ter be a hoss thief down hyer called Slinky Bill, with a scar on his cheek an' one tooth missin' in front——"
"That's your man. The tooth is still missing and the scar is there as plain as day."
"Then he's the gent as we wants to be introduced to," put in one of the other men.
"I calkerlated he had left these diggin's fer good," added the third newcomer.
"I can try to lead you back to their camp," said Tom, "although I am not altogether sure of the trail. ”