Buck drew a long puff on his cigarette. He drew a quick mental picture of Purvis entering the house, finding Dan, and then—
"Sure," he said, "you c'n go back to the house an' ask pa for the gun, if you want to. I'll keep on for the hills."
"What's your hurry? It ain't more'n three miles back to your house.
You won't lose no time to speak of."
"It ain't time I'm afraid of losin'," said Buck significantly.
"Then what the devil is it? I can't afford to leave that gun."
"All right," said Buck, forcing a grin of derision, "so long, Hal."
Purvis frowned at him with narrowing eyes.
"Spit it out, Buck. What's the matter with me goin' back for that gun?
Ain't I apt to find it?"
"Sure. That's the point. You're apt to find lots of guns. Here's what I mean, Hal. Some of the cowpunchers are beginnin' to think I'm a little partial to Jim Silent's crowd. An' they're watchin' my house."
"The hell!"