Curtis again stepped towards the sheriff. "What do you propose to do, Mr. Sheriff?"
Yarpe broke in boisterously. "We want old Elk. Bring him out or we go after him." A chorus of applause followed.
"On what authority do you make this demand?" asked Curtis, facing Yarpe.
"On the authority of the sheriff of Pinon City," replied Yarpe, "and we come along to see he does his duty."
"The sheriff is present and can speak for himself. He was my guest last night and made an agreement with me, which, as an honorable man, he is disposed to keep."
The sheriff avoided Curtis's eye, but Yarpe replied:
"He showed the white feather. He let you fool him, but you can't fool this crowd. Bring on your Injun, or we go get him."
"Have you a warrant?"
"Oh, damn the warrant!"
The sheriff cleared his throat. "Yes, I have a warrant for Crawling Elk and Grayman," he said, and began searching his pockets. The decisive moment had arrived.