I had m' eye peeled fer him all the time, and I seen he
wasn't goin' to stand back and let Jack git the best of that greaser if
he could help it. He was cunnin'--but shucks! I see all along why he
kept that gun p'inted out front--"
"Turn him loose," said Dade suddenly, interrupting him. "We don't want
to start any trouble, Jerry. He may need hanging, but we can't afford to
give him what he deserves. It's a ticklish crowd, right now; they've
lost a lot on the duel, and they've drunk enough wine to swim a mule.
Turn him loose. I mean it," he added, when he caught the incipient
rebellion in Jerry's weather-beaten face. "I'm bossing things here
to-day. He didn't hit anybody, and I'm beginning to think we can get
through the day without any real trouble, if we go easy."
"Wa-al--" Jerry scratched his stubbly jaw reflectively with his free
hand, and looked down at his captive. "I'll give him a derned good
wallopin', then, just to learn him manners. I've been wantin' to lick
him since yesterday mornin' when he tried to drive off Bawley and
Lay-fayette and William Penn. I lost two hours off'n my work, argyin'
with him. I'll take that outa his hide, right now."
He induced Moll to turn around, and led Manuel away from the presence
of the women lest they should be shocked at his deed; and on the cool
side of the farthest shed he did indeed give Manuel a "derned good
walloping." After which he took a fresh chew of tobacco, lounged over to
where Moll waited and switched desultorily at the flies, mounted, and
went placidly home to his Mary.
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