"Well," he said, in a firm voice, "if you won't rent me the wagon and
team I'll be obliged to confiscate it for the United States."
"Eh, how is that?"
"I said I would take it for the uses of the United States. Come, roll it
out and hitch up before I have to resort to violence."
"I don't know you, bub. I'm from Missouri. You'll have to show me."
Ted exposed his star of authority.
"Does that go?" he asked. "Because if it don't, this will."
His revolver was out of its holster like a flash, much to the surprise
of the liveryman, who had been somewhat of a bad man himself in his day,
and gun plays were not uncommon at Rodeo.
He gazed mildly into the bore of the big, silver-mounted forty-five, and
then murmured:
"It goes, pal."
CHAPTER XX.
KNIFE AND FANG.
Several days had passed since the fight at Helen Mowbray's house, and
Ted Strong and the broncho boys were again at the Bubbly Well Ranch.
The remains of Helen Mowbray had been laid to rest near the major's
ranch house in a little lot surrounded by a low fence, and her treasure
was safely stored away in the safe in the major's bedroom.
The period of their visit to the ranch house was past, but still they
stayed to help the major to get word of his brother Frederic Caruthers,
alias Fancy Farnsworth, alleged to be the worst man in Arizona.
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