Haines set his teeth.
"Haines," came the answer, "I'll stand more from you than from any man alive.

I know you've got guts an' I know you're straight with me.
But there ain't anything can keep me from manhandlin' that kid over there." He opened and shut his fingers slowly.

"I sort of yearn to get at him!" Haines recognized defeat.
"But you haven't another gun hidden on you, Jim?
You won't try to shoot him up ?" "No," said Silent.

"If I had a gun I don't know--but I haven't a gun.
My hands'll be enough!" All that could be done now was to get Whistling Dan out of the saloon.
That would be simple.

A single word would suffice to send the timid man helter-skelter homewards.
The large, lazy brown eyes turned up to Haines as the latter approached.
"Dan," he said, "hit for the timbers--get on your way--there's danger here for you!" To his astonishment the brown eyes did not vary a shade.
"Danger ?" he repeated wonderingly.
"Danger! Get up and get out if you want to save your hide!" "What's the trouble ?" said Dan, and his eyes were surprised, but not afraid.
"The biggest man in this room is after your blood." "Is he ?" said Dan wonderingly.