At the crisp, eager question that came in such sharp contrast to Patches' former speech, Nick hesitated and drew back a step.
Patches promptly moved a step nearer; and his words came, now, in answer to the unfinished threat with cutting force. "What would you do, you big, hulking swine? You can bully a weakling not half your size; you can beat a helpless incompetent like a dog; you can bluster, and threaten a tenderfoot when you think he fears you; you can attack a man with a loaded quirt when you think him unable to defend himself;—show me what you can do now."
The Tailholt Mountain man drew back another step.
Patches continued his remarks. "You are a healthy specimen, you are. You have the frame of a bull with the spirit of a coyote and the courage of a sucking dove. Now—in your own vernacular—get a-goin'. Vamoose! Get out! I want to talk to your superior over there."
Sullenly Nick Cambert mounted his horse and turned away toward one of the trails leading out from the little arena.
"Come along, Joe!" he called to his follower.
"No, you don't," Patches cut in with decisive force. "Joe, stay where you are!"
Nick paused. "What do you mean by that?" he growled.
"I mean," returned Patches, "that Joe is free to go with you, or not, as he chooses. Joe," he continued, addressing the cause of the controversy, "you need not go with this man. If you wish, you can come with me. I'll take care of you; and I'll give you a chance to make a man of yourself."
Nick laughed coarsely. "So, that's your game, is it? Well, it won't work. I know now why Bill Baldwin's got you hangin' 'round, pretendin' you're a tenderfoot, you damned spy. Come on, Joe." He turned to ride on; and Joe, with a slinking, sidewise look at Patches, started to follow.