m going to.'

"Tutt, as a old experienced gun-player, sees at a glance that he ain't
got no time to throw out skirmishers. For reasons onknown, but
s'fficient, thar's Texas manooverin' to plug him. Wharupon, Tutt takes
steps accordin', an' takes 'em some abrupt. So abrupt, in trooth, that
Texas ain't got through oratin' before his nigh hind laig has stopped
a bullet midway above the knee. Shore, he gets a shot at Tutt, but it
goes skutterin' along in the sand a full foot to one side. Thar's only
them two shots, Enright, Armstrong an' Jack Moore gettin' in between
'em, an' nippin' any further trouble in the bud.

"It's two hours later, an' Enright has come 'round to beat some sense
into Texas.

"'Accordin' to the Doc yere,' says Enright, as Peets ladles the
invalid out a hooker of Old Jordan, 'that laig'll be so you can ride
ag'in in a month. Pendin' which, while I don't preetend to savvy
what's been goin' on between you an' Dave, nor what insults has been
give or took, I no less tells you, Texas, that you're wrong.'

"'As how?' growls Texas, gulpin' down the nosepaint.

"'As to them airs which of late you dons. You know you can't defend
'em none. Dave's been the sole onchallenged father in this yere outfit
for crowdin' nigh five years; an' for you to come swaggerin' up,
insistin' that he divide the pot with you an' you holdin' nothin'
higher than a niece, nacherally exasperates him beyond endoorance.
Which you'd feel the same yourse'f in Dave's place.'

"'But you don't onderstand, Sam. It's him connivin' round an' archin'
his neck ag'inst them babies marryin' each other when they're growed
up--it's that which sets my blood to b'ilin'. Wharever does Dave come
in to get insultin' action at sech a prop'sition? It'll be a cold day
when a Thompson ain't equal to a Tutt, an' I'll make that good while I
can pull an' p'int a .45.'

"'Which Dave,' interjecks Peets, as he goes cockin' up Texas' foot on
a gooseha'r pillow, so's the shot laig'll feel it less--'which Dave
thinks right now, an' so informs me personal, that you-all starts to
mussin' with him on account of pol'tics, an' him havin' been a
reepublican back East. Armstrong b'ars him out, too.'

"'Pol'tics?' gasps Texas, full of wonder. 'Whatever do I care about
pol'tics? I shore ain't no nigger-lovin' reepublican. At the same
time, I ain't no cheap hoss-thief of a democrat, neither, even if I
does come from Texas. Why, Doc, takin' jedge an' opposin' counsel an'