A Skirmish in the Night
some time around there. Ain't you heard about it yet? An' somehow I feels like a calf bein' drug to th' brandin' fire. I feels that I'm goin' to get somethin' soon; an' I ain't shore just what it's goin' to be."
"You'll get it, all right," cheered Harrison, anger in his voice withal. "It'll be a snub-nosed .45, if you don't shut up yore trap. You ain't openin' no Fourth of July celebration, or runnin' for Congress."
Ben felt for his gun and cursed peevishly. "My guns are gone: lend me one of yourn!" he said.
"Th' gentleman has quite a collection," chuckled Harrison. "Three Colts an' a Winchester. Good pickin', says he. Good enough, says I. True, says he; but, he says, I have hopes of more. Ta-ta! jeers I."
"Shut yore face!" growled Fleming, writhing.
"I want a gun, an' I wants it now!" blazed Gates, pugnaciously.
"Fair sir, how many guns do you think we pack?" demanded Harrison.
"You got a rifle an' a Colt!" snapped Gates. "I wants one of 'em!"
"He only wants one of 'em," said Fleming.
"I was scared you'd be a hog," said Harrison. "Here; take this Winchester, an' keep it. Bein' generous is all right; but it has its limits."
Gates gripped the weapon affectionately and sat up. "No use of stayin' here like we done took root," he
109
