To shake him by the hand was an honour to be struggled for.

One clapped him on the back with solemn nods of approval.

"There's the BOY for you;" "There was nerve for you;" "What's the matter with Annixter ?" "How about THAT for sand, and how was THAT for a SHOT ?" "Why, Apache Kid couldn't have bettered that." "Cool enough." "Took a steady eye and a sure hand to make a shot like that." "There was a shot that would be told about in Tulare County fifty years to come." Annixter had refrained from replying, all ears to this conversation, wondering just what had happened.

He knew only that Delaney had run, leaving his revolver and a spatter of blood behind him.

By degrees, however, he ascertained that his last shot but one had struck Delaney's pistol hand, shattering it and knocking the revolver from his grip.