I only fight men." Even the anger and grief of the boy could not keep him from smiling.
"Just the same I'll keep the shooting-iron handy.

Sit still.

A gun don't keep me from talking sense, does it?
You're here to take Hal's place.

Hal!" The little wail told a thousand things, and Pierre, shocked out of the thought of his own troubles, waited.
"My brother, Hal; he's dead; he died last night, and on the way back dad found you and brought you to take Hal's place.

_Hal's_ place!" The accent showed how impossible it was that Hal's place could be taken by any mortal man.
"I got orders to keep you here, but if I was to do what I'd like to do, I'd give you the best horse on the place and tell you to clear out.