“We begin our new war by objecting to the survey, I suppose; ain't it?” Miller asked.
“That is what Roper says,” Hughes replied.
“And, meantime, harass the enemy like the deuce,” Gasbang added.
“Exactly; that is Roper's advice,” said Mathews.
With a gesture of disgust, Romeo said: “Of course, no cattle having been shot in this rancho before Roper advised it, let the harassing begin now.”
“Look here, young man, you had better get more years over your head before you talk so glibly,” Billy Mathews snarled at Romeo.
“He is a settler like yourself, Mr. Mathews, and he has as good a right to express his opinion, though he may not have the happiness of being old,” interposed Everett.
“It seems to me that all the young bloods on this rancho are either on the fence or have bolted clean over to the other side, Mr. Darrell,” said Mathews, addressing his remarks to the elder Darrell, “but they forget that there aren't girls enough to go round. There are only two left, if, as rumor says, Mr. Clarence has taken the blue-eyed one.”
“Roper says those girls must have done good service in Washington to get the appeal dismissed so quick.” Gasbang said, grinning.
“And Roper is a dirty-minded dog to say that, and I'll make him eat his dirty words, or I'll take his hide off of his filthy carcass,” Everett said, jumping up from his seat, livid with anger.