Joe's anger flared. "Yes! What do you aim to do about it?"
"Give you a horsewhipping."
He took a ridiculous little whip from a socket in his cart and shook it threateningly. Joe caught up the long-lashed bull whip that he sometimes used on the mules.
"If you want to play—"
The lash snapped within an inch of the other's ear and the mules jumped nervously. With a practiced hand, Joe held them in. He faced the dandified youngster in the cart.
"Smart thing for you to do is leave me alone, stranger. Your dogs started the fight."
"You barbarians from the back country—!"
"That'll be enough too."
Without another word, the outraged young man wheeled his cart and drove on. Joe started the mules, and for a second he remained furious. Then he chuckled.
"Give me a horsewhipping, huh! He couldn't break a soft-shelled egg with that little switch!"