py Cat crowd for
defensive purposes and that there was no end of available ammunition.
A way was found to meet Laramie's objection on every point and it only
remained to hatch up a scheme for lightening the cattlemen's pockets.

With Carpy, Lefever and Sawdy, Laramie sat down apart. An exchange of
views took place. Sawdy had in mind something he had once seen Laramie
achieve and on this--and the possibility of its success--the talk
centered. The feat, it was conceded, would be a stiff one. It was put
up to Laramie; he consented, after some wrangling and with misgivings,
to try to save the day for his misguided Sleepy Cat friends. The
moment consent was assured, his backers hurried away in a body--McAlpin
as crier, Lefever and Sawdy to raise money, and Carpy to bully Van Horn
and Stone and their following.

The news that Laramie would shoot caused a stir. Not everyone present
had seen him shoot. His reputed mastery of rifle and gun was often in
question; and no more grueling test before friends and enemies could
ever be given than what he was to attempt now.

Not everyone got clearly as the talk went on just what the trial was to
be. Sawdy having reinforced his resources, announced the event as
Laramie against his record--to tie or to beat.

Laramie, himself, unmindful of the controversy, held to the bench. He
was still sitting, head down, and still whittling, when Bradley came to
say the crowd was waiting. He asked Bradley to bring up his horse.

Kate coming out of the house drew his attention. He threw away the
stick in his hand and rose.

"I hear you are going to shoot," she said.

"Can't get out of it very well, I guess."

"You wouldn't shoot, the time I asked you to."

"I didn't actually refuse, did I?"

"Pretty near it."

"It's a harder case today. Your men have got all the money. My
friends are broke. And they've asked me to help them out somehow.
That's the only reason. If you really want to see me shoot, all you've
got to do is to tell me the next time you see me."

"Oh, I'm going to see you shoot now." She looked at the gun holster
slung at his left hip. "I hear you are left-handed."

"They've got work enough lined up today for two hands."

Bradley returned with the horse and climbed awkwardly down from the
saddle. Laramie tried the cinches and turned to Kate.

"Are you all ready?" she asked.

"Just about."

"You try the cinches; I should think you'd want to try your gun."