an' keep expenses.
Tyrants, such as him--"

"Shore," interposed the bartender, "he'll make the expenses equal what
he gets for the cayuse, no matter what it comes to. An' he's the whole
town, an' the justice of the peace, besides. What he says goes."

"Well, I'm the Governor of the State an' I've got the Supreme Court
right here in my holster, so I reckon I can reverse his official acts
an' fill his legal opinions full of holes," the stranger replied,
laughing heartily. "Bartender, will you help me play a little joke on
His Honore, the Town,--just a little harmless joke?"

"Well, that all depends whether the joke is harmless on _me_. You see,
he can shoot like the devil--he allus knows when a man is going to draw,
an' gets his gun out first. I ain't got no respect for him, but I take
off my hat to his gunplay, all right."

The stranger smiled. "Well, I can shoot a bit myself. But I shore wish
he'd hold that auction quick--I've got to go on home without losing
any more time. Fisher, suppose you go down to the pound and dare that
tumble-bug to hold the auction this afternoon. Tell him that you'll
shoot him full of holes if he goes pulling off any auction to-day, an'
dare him to try it. I want it to come off before night, an' I reckon
that'll hustle it along."

"I'll do anything to get the edge on that thief," replied Fisher,
quickly, "but don't you reckon I'd better tote a gun, going down an'
bearding such a thief in his own den? You know I allus like to shoot
when I'm being shot at."

"Well, I don't blame you; it's only a petty weakness," grinned the
stranger, hanging onto his Colt as if fearing that the other would
snatch it and run. "But you'll do better without any gun--me an' the
bartender don't want to have to go down there an' bring you back on a
plank."

"All right, then," sighed Fisher, reluctantly, "but he'll jump the price
again. He'll fine me for contempt of court an' make me pay money I ain't
got for disturbing him. But I'm game--so long."

When he had gained the street, the stranger turned to the bartender.
"Now, friend, you tell me if this man of gall, this Mr. Townsend, has
got many friends in town--anybody that'll be likely to pot shoot from
the back when things get warm. I can't watch both ends unless I know
what I'm up against."

"_No!_ Every man in town hates him," answered the bartender, hastily,
and with emphasis.

"Ah, that's good. Now, I wonder if you could see 'most everybody that's