Rinktum bolly kimo.

They were only fairly limbered up when four active men appeared abruptly on the property, at the corners of the claim, and began the work of putting up white location posts, after knocking others down.  They were agents employed by McCoppet, in behalf of Bostwick and himself.

Napoleon was the first to note their presence.  He was calling attention to the nearest man when a fifth man appeared by the cabin.  He, too, had a new location post, or stake, to be planted at the center of the claim.  He was not only armed as to weapons, but protruding from his pocket was a wad of “legal” documents, more to be feared than his gun.

He came straight towards Gettysburg, walking briskly.

“Morning,” he said.  “I’ve come to notify you men to get off of this here claim.  This ground belongs to me and my partners, by right of prior location—­made right now.”

He thrust his stake a little into the yielding sand and had posted a notice, made out in due form, before the wet old workers by the sluice could conclude that the man had lost his wits.

“What you givin’ us, anyway?” said Gettysburg, remaining ankle-deep in the mud.  “Don’t you know this here is the ‘Laughin’ Water’ claim, which was located proper——­”

“This claim on the reservation,” interrupted McCoppet’s agent.  “The line was run out yesterday, according to Government instructions, and the line takes in this ground.”  He continued at his work.

Napoleon got stirred up then and there.

“You’re a liar!” he cried out recklessly, “—­metaphorical speakin’.  Belay there, my hearty.  You and your dog-gone pirate craft——­”

McCoppet himself, on horseback, came riding down the slope.

“That’s enough from you!” interrupted the gambler’s agent.  “You and your crowd is liable for trespass, or Government prosecution, getting on the reservation land ahead of date.  This ground belongs to me and my company, understand, with everything on it—­and all the gold you’ve took out!  And all you take away is your personal effects—­and you take ’em and git, right now!”

“Now hold on,” said Gettysburg, dazed by what he heard.  “I seen that Government surveyor cuss.  He said he was only running out a county line.”

McCoppet took the case in hand, as he halted by the boxes.

“Now, boys, don’t waste your time in argument,” he said.  “You’ve made a mistake, that’s all.  Take my advice and hike to the reservation now, before the gang stakes everything in sight.  You can’t go up against the law, and you’ve done too much illegal work already.”

“Illegal?” cried Napoleon.  “You’re a liar, Opal.  Ain’t mad, are you?  I’ve drunk at your saloon, and you know this claim belongs to Van and us!”