Then the girl’s overstrained nerves gave way. Springing to her feet, she broke into wild laughter.
The hysterical merriment with which she received his proposal maddened the Lizard beyond reason:
“Hit’s funny, ain’t hit?” he snarled. “I’ve allus been funny t’ you—ye ain’t never done nothin’ but laugh at me. But I done made up my mind a long time ago that I’d have ye some day—an’ now—whether ye want t’ go with me er not—“ he sprang forward and caught her in his arms.
The girl screamed.
A moment later the Lizard was caught by a heavy hand and whirled twenty feet away. As he recovered his balance and snatched at the gun on his hip, Sonora Jack said sharply:
The Lizard, with his eyes fixed on the outlaw’s steady weapon, raised his empty hands.
When Sonora Jack, with the coolness of his long experience, had disarmed his companion, he turned to the girl.
“I’m sorry for this, Señorita. I have said that with me you would be all right. I don’t want you should be scared like this. Tell me, please, what did this hombre say?”
“It is nothing,” stammered the girl.