"You look after him, Pete." Lockwood turned to leave with a final shot for Duncan. "I'll 'tend to your case in the mornin', young man, and I'll make you wish you never came to this town."
"You needn't trouble. I feel that way about it already. Good-night."
Lockwood left them, snarling. Nat caught Kellogg's eye and began to giggle. But Pete was still holding him fast, partially, beyond doubt, for support.
"You've been saved just in time, Mish'r Duncan," he commented; "y'are mighty lucky man. Now lissen: you better make tracks. I ain't got no warrant to hold you, 'nd I wouldn't if I had."
"You're a good fellow, Pete; but you needn't worry. I'm not the man they think me, and it'll be easy to prove."
"Wal," said Pete, "jus' the same, you better git out, 'r you may have to marry her aft'all."
"No, I won't."
"Thank Gawd f'r that!" Pete exclaimed in maudlin gratitude. He swung widely toward the door, and by a miracle found it. "G'night, Mish'r Duncan. I feel s' good 'bout thish I'm goin' try goin' home 'nd face m' wife. G'night."
"Good-night, Pete."
"Well!" said Kellogg after a pause, "that was a bit of luck!"