No wonder we were pretty expert shots, but indeed it needs much practice to become so.
It should be said that amongst our visitors there were, no doubt, many angels whom we entertained unawares; but also, and no doubt of this, many blackguards and desperadoes, "toughs" and horse-thieves.
An old English sailor, who had farmed a little in the mountains, was on one occasion left alone at our headquarters to take charge of it during our absence on the work.

Two men came along and demanded something which the old man would not give and they deliberately shot him dead.

We caught the miscreants, but could not convict them, their plea being self-defence.

They really should have been hung without trial.
Lynchings of cattle and horse thieves and other criminals were not then uncommon.

I have twice come on corpses swinging in the wind, hung from trees or telegraph posts.