Dan turned a face that made Morris wince.
"What's the matter?" he asked, with an attempt at bluff good nature.
"Do you hate everyone because one man is dead? I'll tell you what I'll
do. I'll loan you a buckboard an' a pair of hosses to take Tex back to
Elkhead. As for this feller Haines, I'll take care of him."
"I sure need a buckboard," said Dan slowly, "but I'll get the loan from a—white man!"
He turned his back sharply on the sheriff and asked if any one else had a wagon they could lend him. One of the men had stopped at Morris's place on his way to Elkhead. He immediately proposed that they make the trip together.
"All right," said Morris carelessly. "I won't pick trouble with a crazy man. Come with me, Haines."
He turned to leave the room.
"Wait!" said Dan.
Haines stopped as though someone had seized him by the shoulder.
"What the devil is this now?" asked Morris furiously. "Stranger, d'you think you c'n run the world? Come on with me, Haines!"
"He stays with me," said Dan.