"Keep off," he snarled.

"_I'm_ running this." "I know ye are," the trooper replied, "but wait," and he pointed to the rear.

"Don't forgit that the Colonel's out yonder reconnoiterin'.

If he happened to overtake ye on the road--" Struck with the sudden thought Dudley paused.

"Well, that's so," he growled as he saw how easily he could be held for disobeying orders and how quickly all his plans for vengeance could be smashed.