But he did not fail to take careful note of the two men who were now examining him in a manner that he did not like.
Dick saw that the strangers openly carried pistols in their belts, which was not of overwhelming significance in such times in such a region, but they did not have the look of mountaineers riding on peaceful business, and he reined his horse to the very edge of the road that he might pass them.
He noted with rising apprehension that they checked the pace of their horses as they approached, and that they reined to either side of the road to compel him to go between them.

But he pulled his own horse out still further, and as they could not pass on both sides of him without an overt act of hostility they drew together again in the middle of the road.
"Mornin' stranger," they said together, when they were a few yards away.
"Good morning," said Dick, riding straight on, without checking his speed.

But one of the men drew his horse across the road and said: "What's your hurry?
It ain't friendly to ride by without passin' the time o' day." Now at close range, Dick liked their looks less than ever.

They might be members of that very band of Skelly's which had already made so much trouble for both sides, and he summoned all his faculties in order to meet them at any game that they might try to play.
"I've been on land business in the mountains," he said, "and I'm anxious to get back to my home.

Besides the day is very cold, and the two facts deprive me of the pleasure of a long conversation with you, gentlemen.
Good-day." "Wait just a little," said the spokesman, who still kept his horse reined across the road.