And I am quite sure that 'Wild Horse Phil' would be very much put out about it." "Well, what do you want ?" growled Nick.

"You've got the drop on me.

What are you after, anyway ?" "What peculiar expressions you western people use!" murmured Patches sweetly.

"You say that I have got the drop on you; when, to be exact, you should have said that you got the drop _from_ me--do you see?
Good, isn't it ?" Nick's effort at self-control was heroic.
Patches watched him with an insolent, taunting smile that goaded the man to reckless speech.
"If you didn't have that gun, I'd--" the big man began, then stopped, for, as he spoke, Patches placed the weapon carefully on a rock and went toward him barehanded.
"You would do what ?" At the crisp, eager question that came in such sharp contrast to Patches' former speech, Nick hesitated and drew back a step.
Patches promptly moved a step nearer; and his words came, now, in answer to the unfinished threat with cutting force.

"What would you do, you big, hulking swine?
You can bully a weakling not half your size; you can beat a helpless incompetent like a dog; you can bluster, and threaten a tenderfoot when you think he fears you; you can attack a man with a loaded quirt when you think him unable to defend himself;--show me what you can do _now_." The Tailholt Mountain man drew back another step.
Patches continued his remarks.