But there 's something rotten in this affair somewhere.

All I ask is a square deal." "An' yer kin bet you'll git it, Mr.Winston, er Sam Hayes will find out why.

This yere 'Independence' outfit is no favorites o' mine, an' if the whole difficulty turns out ter be nothin' but a minin' squabble, the jury ain't likely ter be very hard on yer.

That's my way o' figgerin' on it, from what little I know." He glanced keenly about, seeking to gain a clearer idea of their immediate surroundings.

"Maybe you an' Swanson better mosey back yonder to the cabin, where I can keep an eye on you easy, while I send after the hosses.