They were the roughs of the camp, the idlers, largely parasites of Lacy; those fellows would only hoot him if he asked for help.

No, there was no way but to fight it out themselves, and the only possibility of escape came to him in a flash.

Suddenly as this emergency had arisen the marshal was prepared; he knew the lawless nature of the camp, and had anticipated that some time just such a situation as this might arise.

Now that it had come, he was ready.

There was scarcely an instant of hesitancy, his quick searching eyes surveying the scene, and then seeking the face of his prisoner.
"Willing to fight this out, Jim ?" he asked shortly.
"You bet, Dan; what's the plan ?" "The big rock in Bear Creek.