And if they did try any funny work with me, old-timer, why--as you say, these guns--" "Oh, all right, m'son! Have it your own way," Bill retorted grimly.
"I know you've got a brace of guns; and I know you can plant a bullet where you want it to land, about as quick as the next one.

I haven't a doubt but what you're equal to the Vigilantes, with both hands tied! Of course," he went on with heavy irony, "I have known of some mighty able men swinging from the oak, lately.

There'll likely be more, before the town wakes up and weeds out some of the cutthroat element that's running things now to suit themselves." Jack looked at him quickly, struck by something in Bill's voice that betrayed his real concern.

"Don't take it to heart, Bill," he said, dropping his bantering and his stubbornness together.

"I won't air my views quite so publicly, after this.