lumb fools o'
theirselves. Any flirt kin pull th' wool over thar eyes like it war a
loose skin cap." His raucous laugh was doubly disagreeable because of
the sneer envenoming it, and Tom stiffened.

"I seed an example o' that right yere on this hyar packet; an' most
likely I'll see a hull lot more o' it if I has patience. He-he-he!"

Tom checked his stride, but the quick, reassuring pressure on his arm
made him keep on, his burning face held rigidly toward the boat. He
dared not look at his companion. They walked silently up the landing
stage and into the cabin, Tom waiting with ill concealed impatience
until his companion should join her uncle at the table. But he was
surprised, for she spoke in a pleasant, soft tone and ordered him to
remain where he was for a few minutes. Before he could make up his mind
what she meant he saw her lean over her uncle's table and say something.
The ex-gambler pushed suddenly back, patted her on the head and walked
briskly but nonchalantly toward the curious onlooker.

"You young folks never have any regard for an old man's comfort," he
chuckled as he took hold of Tom's arm. "Now, sir, I'll take great
pleasure in stretching my legs in any direction you may select, and in
stretching the neck of any officious meddler. I am at your service, Tom;
and, damn it, I'm not too old to become a principal!"

Tom stared at him for a moment as the words sunk in. "By G-d!" he
murmured. "There ain't another like her in th' whole, wide world! Thank
you, Mr. Cooper: if you'll be kind enough to stand on one side and keep
the affair strictly between myself and that polecat, I'll try not to
keep you from your dinner very long. He might have been decent enough
to have picked his quarrel in some other way!"

Schoolcraft arose alertly as they entered the little clearing, and
watched Tom hand the double-barreled rifle to his companion, slip off
his belt and throw his coat over it. The horse-dealer grinned with
savage elation as he discarded his own weapons and coat, hardly
believing in his good fortune. Not many men along the border cared to
meet him unarmed.

Tom stepped forward. "Every time I look at that terbaccer juice
a-dribblin' down yer chin, Schoolcraft, it riles me," he said evenly.
"I'm a-goin' ter wipe it off," and his open hand struck his enemy's jaw
with a resounding whack as he stepped swiftly to one side. "You've allus
had a sneakin' grudge ag'in me," he asserted, giving ground before the