From behind the bar, from back of chairs and tables, men cautiously emerged. Others gathered themselves from the floor where they had been lying low. The lookout stuck a head carefully through the side doorway. There would be no more shooting. Scot spoke quietly. “I take you-all to witness, gentlemen, that he came here looking for trouble. My brother and I fired in self-defence.” Someone thrust a hand under the big body and pushed aside the blue coat. “Heart’s still beating,” he announced. “Then send for a doctor and have him looked after. I’ll pay the bill,” Scot said, still in an even expressionless voice. “Hadn’t you better finish the job?” a voice whispered in Hugh’s ear. Hugh turned, dizzy with nausea. “God, no!” he answered. “If he lives he’ll get you sure—both of you.” “We’re not murderers,” the boy said. He groped his way to a chair and sat down quickly. Was he going to faint? A hand fell on his shoulder. Through a haze Scot’s voice came warm and low: “Good old Hugh. Saved my life sure. You were that cool—and game. Every move you made counted. If you hadn’t devilled him till he lost his head he’d likely have got one of us. Boy, I’m proud of you.” Hugh was ashamed of his weakness. “I didn’t play the baby this away when I got that Piute at the pass,” he said apologetically. “Nothing to it, boy. You came through fine. Except for you—well, I would have cashed in. Come. Let’s get out of here.” The owner of the Crystal Palace was standing near. “Can you get someone else to finish my shift?” Scot asked. “Sure.” The proprietor did a little legitimate grumbling. “There’s sixty-five saloons in this town, an’ I’ll be doggoned if everybody doesn’t come here to do their gun stuff. Seems like a man will walk clear up from Gold Hill so’s to pull off his fireworks at the Crystal. It don’t do business no good, lemme tell you.” “You’re out of luck,” his dealer smiled. “But we couldn’t really help it this time.” “I don’t say you could, Scot. I won’t mourn for Sam Dutch if you’ve got him. All I say is I try to run a quiet, respectable place an’ looks like I never get a chance.” The brothers walked out to the street. Patrons of the place fell back to let them pass and followed with their eyes the two straight, light-stepping men. Hugh was still a little stringy in build, but even in his immaturity it would have been hard to find a more promising-looking youngster. As for Scot, he was acknowledged to be the handsomest man in the diggings. No woman ever saw him pass without wanting to look at him twice.