There were those who
recalled the killing of Bisbee of Las Palmas, and reminded others that
there had been no attempt at prosecution. Now there had come forth
from the Casa Blanca fresh defiance and lawlessness and still Jim
Galloway came and went as he pleased. Those who criticised said that
Norton was losing his nerve, or else that he was merely incompetent
when measured by the yardstick of swift, incisive action wedded to
capability.
"If he can't get Jim Galloway, let him step out of the way and give the
chance to a man who can," was said many times and in many ways. Even
John Engle, Julius Struve, Tom Cutter, and Brocky Lane came to Norton
at one time or another, telling him what they had heard, urging him to
give some heed to popular clamor, and to begin legal action.
"Put the skids under him, Roddy," pleaded Brocky Lane. "We can't slide
him far the first trip, maybe. But a year or so in jail will break his
grip here."
But Norton shook his head. He was playing the game his way.
"The rifles are still in the cache," he told Brocky. "He is getting
ready, as we know; further, just as my friends are beginning to find
fault with me, so are his hangers-on beginning to wonder if they
haven't tied to the wrong man. Just to save his own face he'll have to
start something pretty pronto.
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