"You're gettin' a whole lot selfish," declared Charley. "Are you afeared some other gent will git her away from ye if you brings her out?"
"None at all, Charley. But she ain't for this gang to hustle around any, and that's level."
At this the other seemed to take offense.
"I opine, Bill," he said, "that you don't set yourself up as a heap better than the rest of this gang?"
The cruel face of Cimarron Bill took on an expression that was a warning.
"Charley," he said, in a low, smooth voice, with one hand on the bar to steady himself, "I am willing to confess that you disturbs me some. I has my reasons for not bringin' the gal out, an' you'll sure excuse me if I don't recite them none at present. Some other time I may explain."
But Charley persisted.
"Some other time it will be too late," he said. "I'm certain looking to dance one set with the little beauty myself, Bill."
"Sorry to disappoint you," returned Bill; "but the young lady doesn't dance none, if you want to know one good reason."