Joe Mixer turned purple, and springing toward Ralph, struck him violently across the mouth with the back of his hand. "Shut your head!" he cried with an oath.
Ralph wiped the blood from his lips on his shoulder. "Mean and cowardly blackguards without decency or manliness!" he cried defiantly.
Joe made to strike him again, but big Jim held his arm. "The man is bound," he said laconically.
"Then let him keep a clean tongue in his head," muttered Joe, turning away.
"For God's sake, think it over before you join in with them," Ralph begged of Jim.
"I see no reason why I should not answer a civil question," said Jim judicially. Jim thought he was being fair and disinterested, while he was being swayed by his feelings no less than an angry woman. "If the girl is straight she has nothing to fear from anybody. She was here this morning."
"Aha!" cried Joe delightedly.
Ralph groaned. "You'll be sorry for this!" he muttered.
"Where does she hang out?" Joe asked eagerly.
"I don't know," said Jim. "She went down the river."