rveyed the details critically:

"This here is a disagreeable job," he said. "Have you got anything to
say?"

Endicott took a step forward, and as he faced the Texan, his eyes
flashed. "Have I got anything to say!" he sneered. "Would you have
anything to say if a bunch of half-drunken fools decided to take the
law into their own hands and hang you for defending a woman against the
brutal attack of a fiend?" He paused and wrenched to free his hands
but the rope held firm. "It was a wise precaution you took when you
ordered my hands tied--a precaution that fits in well with this whole
damned cowardly proceeding. And now you ask me if I have anything to
say!" He glanced into the faces of the cowboys who seemed to be
enjoying the situation hugely.

"I've got this to say--to you, and to your whole bunch of grinning
hyenas: If you expect me to do any begging or whimpering, you are in
for a big disappointment. There is one request I am going to make--and
that you won't grant. Just untie my hands for ten minutes and stand up
to me bare-fisted. I want one chance before I go, to fight you, or any
of you, or all of you! Or, if you are afraid to fight that way, give
me a pistol--I never fired one until tonight--and let me shoot it out
with you. Surely men who swagger around with pistols in their belts,
and pride themselves on the use of them, ought not to be afraid to take
a chance against a man who has never but once fired one!" There was an
awkward pause and the pilgrim laughed harshly: "There isn't an ounce of
sporting blood among you! You hunt in packs like the wolves you
are--twenty to one--and that one with a rope around his neck and his
hands tied!"

"The odds is a little against you," drawled the Texan. "Where might
you hail from?"

"From a place where they breed men--not curs."

"Ain't you afraid to die?"

"Just order your hounds to jerk on that rope and I'll show you whether
or not I am afraid to die. But let me tell you this, you damned
murderer! If any harm comes to that girl--to Miss Marcum--may the
curse of God follow every last one of you till you are damned in a
fiery hell! You will kill me now, but you won't be rid of me. I'll
haunt you every one to your graves. I will follow you night and day
till your brains snap and you go howling to hell like maniacs."

Several of the cowboys shuddered and turned away. Very deliberately
the Texan rolled a cigarette.

"There is a box in my coat po