Then, as he realized that he could get a pack mule to carry the surplus, he became aware of a strange presence near at hand and looked up into the muzzle of a Sharp's rifle.
He grasped the situation in a flash and calmly blew several heavy smoke rings around the frowning barrel.
"Well ?" He asked slowly.
"Nice day, stranger," replied the man with the rifle, "but don't yu reckon yu've made a mistake ?" Hopalong glanced at the number burned on a near-by stake and carelessly blew another smoke ring.

He was waiting for the gun to waver.
"No, I reckons not," he answered.

"Why ?" "Well, I'll jest tell yu since yu asks.

This yere claim's mine an' I'm a reg'lar terror, I am.

That's why; an' seein' as it is, yu better amble some." Hopalong glanced down the street and saw an interested group watching him, which only added to his rage for being in such a position.