WhentheyreachedHooven’sagain，theyfoundthattheLeaguershadalreadytakentheirpositionintheditch。Theplankbridgeacrossithadbeentornup。Magnus，twolongrevolverslyingontheembankmentinfrontofhim，wasinthemiddle，Harranathisside。Oneitherside，somefivefeetinterveningbetweeneachman，stoodtheotherLeaguers，theirrevolversready。Dabney，thesilentoldman，hadtakenoffhiscoat。
TakeyourplacesbetweenMr。OstermanandMr。Broderson，saidMagnus，asthethreemenrodeup。Presley，headded，Iforbidyoutotakeanypartinthisaffair。
Yes，keephimoutofit，criedAnnixterfromhispositionattheextremeendoftheline。GobacktoHooven’shouse，Pres，andlookafterthehorses，headded。Thisisnobusinessofyours。Andkeeptheroadbehindusclear。Don’tletANYONE
comenear，notANYONE，understand？
Presleywithdrew，leadingthebuckskinandthehorsesthatGethingsandCutterhadridden。Hefastenedthemunderthegreatliveoakandthencameoutandstoodintheroadinfrontofthehousetowatchwhatwasgoingon。