Very solemnly he licked his thumb and polished a certain place along the edge of the yellow ivory handle, and held it so the Happy Family could see three tiny notches.
"Them's three argyments she shore settled," he stated grimly, and turned slowly upon Luck.
"Yes-s, I calc'late I can play shurf for ye, all right enough." Luck looked up at him with his eyes shining, remembering how staunch a friend Applehead had been in times past, and how even his boastings were but a naive recognition of facts concerning himself.

Applehead Forrman was fifty-six years old, but Luck could not at that moment recall a man more dangerous to meet as an enemy or more loyal to have as a friend.
"I calc'late you can," he agreed in his soft, friendly drawl.

"Sit down and turn your good ear this way, Applehead, so this story can soak in.
You'll see where you come in as sheriff, and you'll sabe just what you'll have to do.

Bud, here, will be the outlaw that blows into the cow-camp and begins to mix things.

He's the one you'll have to settle.