You remember what you told Warden?
It was this: "'I'm telling you this, though: A man's word in this country has got to be backed by his performances--and he's got to have memory enough to know when he gives his word!' "You've given yours, Lawler; and you can't back out.

McGregor will be waiting for me in the capital.

And when I tell him that I have persuaded you to run, he'll fall on my neck and weep tears of joy.

Then he'll hire a special train and run down here to fall on _your_ neck!" McGregor came the next day.

And he took Lawler back to the capital with him.