“It seems to me you’re pretty calm about this, Joshua. Here you have me as a witness that Sweet fired three times— There’s another shot! You and I have seen Sweet fire four shots in the direction of your cabin. He has threatened to run you out of the mountains. What will you do if, when we get back, you find bullet holes in your roof?”
“What would you do?” asked Joshua, smiling at her.
“I’d have him arrested for attempt to kill.”
“But I know he’s not trying to kill me. He’s almost sure I’m not there. He even may have seen you and me ride away this morning, and was waiting until he was sure we were far in the hills before putting on this little act.”
“Well, isn’t it a grave misdemeanor, to say the least?”
“Rather, I should say.”
“Well, then! Aren’t you going to do anything about it?”
“Yes, I think I shall,” Joshua chuckled. “I think I’ll tell California Bill on him.”
“Joshua Cole,” said Madge, with lips drawn straight, “is it possible that you are a coward?”
Joshua seemed to deliberate over his answer. “No,” he told her seriously, “I don’t believe I am, Madge. Why? Do you think I’m one?”