-they'll be back here
after a while--and what then?--don't you see?

KATE. It's horrible--don't tell me it is duty makes them hunt a
fellow-man like that. [_Rises._

JIM. I don't pretend to know anything about that--[_Pause. Picks up
dipper; looks at_ KATE.] Poor chap--thirsty--oh, well--that's your
business, Kate. [_Puts dipper on the bench._

KATE. [_At bay herself._] You're not a man, Jim Radburn, you're a
bloodhound--you _hunt_ men.

JIM. Yes! [_Pause._

KATE. Yes. [_End of rocker-chair._

JIM. See here, Kate--I want a word or two with Mr. Travers. I think
the honestest thing he ever done was liking you--I--

KATE. [_Fiercely._] And that is why you _hate_ him! You think he likes
_me_! You think if it hadn't been for _him_ I might have liked _you_!
Well, I do like him--[_Pause._] that's why you hunt him! It isn't your
duty prompts you--it's your jealousy!

JIM. [_A pause in which he decides the question._] He's in that
closet.

KATE. [_Turning._] He is not.

JIM. [_Straddling a chair and facing closet. Speaks in ordinary
tone._] Travers, _come out_. If you don't come out, I'll shoot through
the door.

TRAVERS. [_Bursting from closet and levelling pistol._] Throw up your
hands!

JIM. [_Pause. In fateful monotone._] You're a damn fool! The sound of
a gun now would fill both them streets with pitchforks.

KATE. Don't--don't--shoot.

JIM. Oh, he won't!

TRAVERS. Do you think you can arrest me--alive?

JIM. It don't make no difference to me.

KATE. [_Anxiously pleading._] If you are innocent, Mr. Travers--if you
have acted in self-defence--

JIM. Wait, Kate--we ain't got time to _try_ him now. He ain't got
time; the boys are waiting up at the Court House. Mr. Travers, this
young lady likes you--very much. [_He slowly rises._

TRAVERS. [_Still covering him._] I know the cause of your hatred, Mr.
Radburn--I know you are here because I love her.

JIM. No, I'm here because _she_ likes _you_--if she didn't like you
'twouldn't make any difference to me how quick we came to terms; but
she likes you--your Pinkerton friend--[_Pause. Indicating neck._]
dead--the boys are up at the Court House. Clark is pretty hot about
them Jumbo bottles, and they wouldn't be reasonable--my hoss is
standing at the door--with anything like a fair start he can hold his
own--Louisiana town is eleven miles away, and jist across from that is
Illinois--and then you'll have to look out for yourself--now go!

KATE. [_With emot