Hopalong became cheerful again, for here was a chance to differ from his friend. The two loved each other the better the more they squabbled. “Yas!” responded Hopalong with sarcasm. “Yas!” he reiterated, drawling it out. “Yu was in front of them, an' with what? Why, an' old, white-haired, interfering Winchester, that's what! Me an' my Sharp's--” “Yu and yore Sharp's!” exploded Red, whose dislike for that rifle was very pronounced. “Yu and yore Sharp's.” “Me an' my Sharp's, as I was palaverin' before bein' interrupted,” continued Hopalong, “did more damage in five min--” “Says yu!” snapped Red with heat. “All yu an yore Sharp's could do was to cut yore initials in th' back door of their shack, an'----” “Did more damage in five minutes,” continued Hopalong, “than all th' blasted Winchesters in th' whole damned town. Why--” “An' then they was cut blamed poor. Every time that cannon of yourn exploded I shore thought th'--” “Why, Cowan an' his buffalo did more damage (Cowan was reputed to be a very poor shot) than yu an--” “I thought th' artillery was comin' into th' disturbance. I could see yore red head--” “MY red head!” exclaimed Hopalong, sizing up the crimson warlock of his companion. “MY red head!” he repeated, and then turned to Frenchy: “Hey, Frenchy, who's got th' reddest hair, me or Red?” Frenchy slowly turned in his saddle and gravely scrutinized them. Being strictly impartial and truthful, he gave up the effort of differentiating and smiled. “Why, if the tops of yore heads were poked through two holes in a board an' I didn't know which was which, I'd shore make a mistake if I tried to name 'em” But Red had the last word. “Anyhow, you didn't have a Sharp's in that fight--you had a .45-70 Winchester, just like mine!” Thereupon the discussion was directed at the judge, and the forenoon passed very pleasantly, Frenchy even smiling in his misery. CHAPTER XIX. Hopalong's Decision Shortly after noon, Hopalong, who had ridden with his head bowed low in meditation, looked up and slapped his thigh. Then he looked at Red and grinned.