end of the room an' stand with your face to the wall. I'll
stay at this end. Keep your arms folded. Haines, you stand over there
an' count up to three. Then holler: 'Fire!' an' we'll turn an' start
shootin'. The rest of you c'n be judge if that's fair."

"Too damned fair," said Kilduff. "I say: String him up an' drill the
skunk full of holes."

Without a word Buck turned on his heel.

"One moment," said Haines.

"He ain't your meat, Lee," said Silent. "Jest keep your hand out of
this."

"I only wish to ask him a question," said Haines. He turned to Buck:
"Do you mean to say that after Barry's wolf cut up your arm, you've
been giving Whistling Dan a shelter from the law--and from us?"

"I give him a place to stay because he was damned near death," said
Buck. "An' there's one thing you'll answer for in hell, Haines, an'
that's ridin' off an' leavin' the man that got you out of Elkhead. He
was bleedin' to death."

"Shot?" said Haines, changing colour.

Silent broke in: "Buck, go take your place and say your prayers."

"Stay where you are!" commanded Haines. "And the girl?"

"He was lyin' sick in bed, ravin' about 'Delilah' an' 'Kate.' So I
come an' got the girl."

Haines dropped his head.

"An' when he was lyin' there," said Silent fiercely, "you could of
made an' end of him without half liftin' your hand, an' you didn't."

"Silent," said Haines, "if you want to talk, speak to me."

"What in hell do you mean, Lee?"

"You can't get at Buck except through me."

"Because that devil Barry got a bullet for your sake are you goin'
to--"

"I've lived a rotten life," said Haines.

"An' I suppose you think this is a pretty good way of dyin'?" sneered
Silent.

"I have more cause to fight for Barry than Buck has," said Haines.

"Lee, we've been pals too long."

"Silent, I've hated you like a snake ever since I met you. But outlaws
can't choose their company."

His tawny head rose. He stared haughtily around the circle of lowering
faces.

"By God," said Silent, white with passion, "I'm beginnin' to think
you do hate me! Git down there an' take your place. You're first an'
Daniels comes next. Kilduff, you c'n count!"

He stalked to the end of the room. Haines lingered one moment.

"Buck," he said, "there's one chance in ten thousand that I'll make
this draw the quickest of the two. If I don't, you may live through
it. Tell Kate--"

"Haines, git to your mark, or I'll start shootin'!"

Haines turned