Dick laughed contemptuously as he turned to Tom Drake with:
"You see! That fellow thinks he can give you your orders. That fellow begins to believe that he owns you already."
"Who are you calling 'that feller'?" demanded Miller, dropping a heavy hand on Dick's shoulder.
"I referred to you," replied Prescott, pushing the man's hand from his shoulder.
"If you get too funny with me I'll hit you a crack that will carry your head off with it!" snarled the saloon keeper.
"Pshaw!" Prescott answered cuttingly. "You aren't big enough, or man enough, either!"
"What's that?"
Miller aimed a vicious, open-hand blow at young Prescott's face. It didn't land, but, instead, Dick's right hand went up smack! against the fellow's cheek.
"Hang your impudence!" roared Miller, angrily. "I'll pay you for that! I'll teach you!"
He made a rush at Dick, but two men who had been attracted by the commotion jumped in between them.