g savages.
So far as Wolfville's concerned, him bein' swung to the windmill, that
a-way, is plumb fortooitous.'

"'Jest the same,' returns Missis Rucker, who's merciless an' refooses
to be softened, 'you better take heed a heap. This once I lets you get
away with that Red Dog crawl-out. But if ever I finds another party
suspended to the windmill so's I can't get no water, thar's a passel
of sots, of whom you, Sam Enright, is the onregen'rate chief, who'll
shore get their grub fortooitous.'

"Peets, at this yere crisis, jogs Enright's elbow, by way of signin'
up to him to draw out; an', except from her domineerin' over Rucker
more'n common for a couple of days, she ceases her demonstrations.

"Not but what Missis Rucker has some rights on her side. What with
feedin' forty of us folks three times a day, she's got a lot on her
mind; an' to find some sooperfluous sport hangin' in her way, when she
goes to fill her bucket, necessar'ly chafes her.

"An' yet the Stranglers is up ag'inst it, too. Hangin' a culprit,
dooly convicted, is a public game; an' the windmill's the only piece
of public property in sight, besides bein' centrally sityooated. Also,
thar's nothin' in that corral bluff of Missis Rucker's. The beam she
alloodes to ain't big enough, an' is likewise too low.

"Boggs, who sympathizes with Missis Rucker, once when we has a hoss
thief we don't need on our hands, su'gests we rope him up to the sign
over Armstrong's Noo York store. But thar's rival trade interests, an'
Enright fears it'll be took invidious as a covert scheme for drawin'
custom to Armstrong's emporium.

"'Personally,' says Enright, 'I favors Dan's idee. But since
Armstrong's a member of the committee, you-all sees yourselves that
for us to go execootin' culprits on his sign that a-way, the direct
effects of which distinguishes him an' booms his game, would shore
breed jealousies.'

"'How would it do,' asks Texas, 'if we takes them marts seeriatim,
an' one after another yootilizes all their signs?'

"'With doo deference to Texas,' interjecks Tutt, 'this swingin' round
from sign to sign, with deeds of jestice, is a heap likely to subtract
from the deterrent effects. It's better we stick to the windmill, an'
takes chances on beddin' them resentments of Missis Rucker's down.'

"'That's all right for you, Dave,' retorts Boggs; 'you're a married
man, an' eats at home. You wouldn't feel so plumb gala about quietin'
Missis Rucker if you-all was obl