otice I've got a gun?" said Jake, with an evil
look in his eyes.

"I've got one, too, but I ain't pulled it yet," answered the Cowboy
slowly.

"See here, now," interposed Jake's companion, "where do I come in?
What'll I be doin' all the time when you're smashin' up my pard here?"

"I will try and occupy your attention," quietly said the Eastern man.

"The hell you will!"

"I will."

"Now, gentlemen," said the Cowboy, "we don't want no trouble, but there
is a peck of it around here if you fellers try to hurt that dog. The dog
bit yer because yer tried to kiss the girl, and he served you damn well
right!"

"It's a lie!" interrupted Jake sullenly.

How it was done the Eastern man never knew, but Jake went staggering
backward, and when he recovered himself and stood with the blood
trickling from a cut under his eye, the Cowboy had him covered with a
big Colt's 45, and the eyes which looked at him over the barrel were
ugly enough to make a gamer man than Jake feel uneasy.

"Drop yer gun."

Jake dropped it.

"Now move away from it."

Jake did so.

The Cowboy handed his big pistol to the Eastern man and walked straight
up to Jake, who looked decidedly uncomfortable.

"Now take it back, or I'll smash yer face," said the Cowboy savagely.

"All right, but, damn you, if it warn't that my leg is sore where the
dog bit me I'd fight yer till I couldn't see!"

The Cowboy smiled grimly.

"Good enough! Now get out of here."

"Wait a minute," interposed the Eastern man; "may I make a suggestion?"

"Cert, pard,--why, sure!" answered the Cowboy.

"Well, it seems to me this matter had better be settled amicably if
possible; if not, after we are gone something might happen to the dog.
After what has happened the gentleman naturally feels an animosity
towards the animal. Now, I would suggest that he name a sum of money
which he would consider sufficient to compensate him for injuries
received. I would be glad to pay a reasonable amount--say ten
dollars--in settlement of all damages, if the gentleman will agree not
to attempt to injure the dog in any way."

"I'll agree to that," cried Jake eagerly.

"Very well, here is the money." The Eastern man held out a ten-dollar
gold piece, which was seized upon by Jake, and without a word he and his
companion started in a straight line for the saloon.

The Cowboy shouted after them: "Remember, I'll be back here next week,
and if the dog isn't all right there'll be trouble.