The next day when the word was given that made the land public domain, Billy was in line on the coyote.  He held his place to the front with the best of them.  After the first few miles, the others followed the valley of Turkey Creek, but he maintained his course like wild fowl, skirting the timber which covered the first range of hills back from the creek.  Jack followed with the wagon, while the rest of us rode leisurely, after the first mile or so.  When we saw Edwards bear straight ahead from the others, we argued that a sooner only could beat us for the claim.  If he tried to out-hold us, it would be six to one, as we noticed the leaders closely when we slacked up.  By not following the valley, Billy would cut off two miles.  Any man who could ride twelve miles to the coyote’s ten with Billy Edwards in the saddle was welcome to the earth.  That was the way we felt.  We rode together, expecting to make the claim three quarters of an hour behind our man.  When near enough to sight it, we could see Billy and another horseman apparently protesting with one another.  A loud yell from one of us attracted our man’s attention.  He mounted his horse and rode out and met us.  “Well, fellows, it’s the expected that’s happened this time,” said he.  “Yes, there’s a sooner on it, and he puts up a fine bluff of having ridden from the line; but he’s a liar by the watch, for there isn’t a wet hair on his horse, while the sweat was dripping from the fetlocks of this one.”

“If you are satisfied that he is a sooner,” said Miller, “he has to go.”

“Well, he is a lying sooner,” said Edwards.

We reined in our horses and held a short parley.  After a brief discussion of the situation, Miller said to us:  “You boys go down to him,—­don’t hurt him or get hurt, but make out that you’re going to hang him.  Put plenty of reality into it, and I’ll come in in time to save him and give him a chance to run for his life.”

We all rode down towards him, Miller bearing off towards the right of the old corral,—­rode out over the claim noticing the rich soil thrown up by the mole-hills.  When we came up to our sooner, all of us dismounted.  Edwards confronted him and said, “Do you contest my right to this claim?”

“I certainly do,” was the reply.

“Well, you won’t do so long,” said Edwards.  Quick as a flash Mouse prodded the cold steel muzzle of a six-shooter against his ear.  As the sooner turned his head and looked into Mouse’s stern countenance, one of the boys relieved him of an ugly gun and knife that dangled from his belt.  “Get on your horse,” said Mouse, emphasizing his demand with an oath, while the muzzle of a forty-five in his ear made the order undebatable.  Edwards took the horse by the bits and started for a large black-jack tree which stood near by.  Reaching it, Edwards said, “Better use Coon’s rope; it’s manilla and stronger.  Can any of you boys tie a hangman’s knot?” he inquired when the rope was handed him.