THE MAN WHO TOOK WATER
Williams. It glittered in the lights from the saloon, and it struck Ben fairly with the edge upon the temple. He threw up his hands, and as they went up the muscles of his dead hand pulled the trigger of his pistol and the bullet went into the air. He fell prone in the dust, and writhed a little, and then lay quite still. And Bob was on his knees by old Webb, crying.
But the Colonel didn't die that time, though he went very near to it. Bob and I, and for the matter of that the whole town, nursed him through his trouble, and everyone was glad to see his white head again when he crawled down Main Street once more. Bob had no trouble over Ben Williams' death, for the jury which sat upon him declared that it was the most justifiable homicide which they had ever heard of.
"You see, I wam't heeled," said old Webb. "I had nary a gun on me. I do think, Bob, that if Ben had shot straight some of you would have strung him up."
All the town said so. But I have my doubts, for Ben Williams had a good few
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