PAINTED ROCK
behind a store, and found him working in his shirt-sleeves.
"Good-mornin', Bailey," said the Major, as he spread out the tails of his frock-coat and sat on the corner of the table.
"Good-morning, Major," replied the Englishman, who was long and thin and fair, and obviously good-tempered though somewhat worried and anxious.
"Do you carry a pistol now?" asked the Major.
Bailey shook his head.
"Humph," said the Major, "you don't! I reckoned you didn't. Colonel Briggs let on you didn't. Mebbe you've got a knife?"
"No," said Bailey, "certainly not."
"Got a shot-gun?" asked the Major anxiously.
Bailey smiled.
"Why, no. Major, I don't hunt any."
The Major nodded.
"Ever been hunted any?" he asked shortly. "There's this matter between you and Crowle, now. I hear you've won your case over to Fort Worth."
112
