“I hope, Cap, you don't think I am meddlin' in yore private business. It is not often that I tote any sort o' tale betwixt two men; but Jeff is such a rampant daredevil, an' so crazy right now, that--” “I'm not afraid of 'im. Good God, don't think that!” Hoag was quite pale. “It was only--say, Sid, it's like this: do you think that a man like me, with all I've got at stake, one way or another, can afford to--to take even chances with a shiftless fool like Jeff Warren?” “It ain't what you, or me, or anybody can _afford_ to do,” the stable-owner returned, “or _want_ to do, for that matter; when a chap like Jeff is loaded for bear an' on our trail we've either got to git ready for 'im or--or swear out a peace-warrant, an' me or you'd rather be hung than do the like o' that. As for me, in all rows I treat everybody alike. If a black buck nigger wants satisfaction out o' me he can git it--you bet he can.” “Yes, yes, I know,” Hoag said, his eyes shifting restlessly in their deep sockets, his fingers fumbling his whip. “I was just wondering; did he--did you notice whether Warren was totin' a gun or not?” “I think he was; that's why I mentioned the matter to you. In fact, he was inquiring if anybody had seen you--said he knowed enough law to know that if he went to yore house on such serious business that he'd be held accountable, wharas, if you an' him met on a public highway it would be all right, beca'se it was your unjustified remark ag'in' a woman that started the thing.” Hoag stared into the face of his companion for another minute. It was as if he wanted some sort of advice and did not know how to ask for it. He shrugged his shoulders, lashed the hot air with his whip, cleared his throat, and said: “I hope you don't think I'm afraid o' the dirty puppy, Sid?” “Afraid, oh no!” Trawley replied, indifferently. “Of course not. You kin shoot as straight as he can. Besides, if it come to the worst--if he did happen to git the best of it--you are in as good a shape to die as any man I know. You'd leave your wife an' family well provided for. Take my advice and don't give 'im a chance to draw a gun. Pull down, and pull down quick!” Trawley led the way back into the stable, and at the front the two men parted. Hoag was on the sidewalk when Trawley called to him, and came to his side. “If you hain't got a gun on you, you kin take mine,” he said, in a low tone. “I've got one,” Hoag answered, a far-off look in his eyes, and he slid a hand over his bulging hip-pocket. “I never go without it.” “Well, if nothin' happens, then I'll meet you tonight,” Trawley reminded him. “We must put that thing through.” Hoag nodded. “All right,” he returned, abstractedly. “All right--all right.” “If nothin' happens!” The words fairly stung his consciousness as he walked away. “If nothin' happens!” His feet and legs felt heavy. There was a cold, tremulous sensation in the region of his pounding heart. CHAPTER XI