Surely they will listen to reason." But the woodsman returned, "Talk to a nest of rattlers! Jim Lane's the only man that can talk to them now.

We've got to stand them off as long as we can." As he spoke he raised his revolver, and was about to fire a shot through the door, when a slight noise at one side of the room attracted his attention.

He turned just in time to catch a glimpse of a face as it was withdrawn from one of the little windows.

The noise at the door ceased suddenly, and they heard the two men running to join the group under the tree.
"They've found you ain't alone," whispered the big fellow, springing to the window again.

And, as a wild drunken yell came from the visitors, he added, "Seems like they're some excited about it, too.
They're holdin' a regular pow-wow.