There were loud mutterings from the others but none of them wanted any of him. He had a gat in his hand, guts in his belly and the tradition of the Texas Rangers behind him. That was what held them off though Bender was not conscious of it—that tradition. He was only conscious that his friend was the blue-black automatic around whose broad butt his long fingers were wrapped and that it felt nice and warm and comfortable in his hand. He waved the barrel in a semi-circle and told them to back up and sit down. They backed up but they didn't sit down because they were waiting on old Jeff Peebles to take the lead. Old Jeff was holding his ground and looking as if he would like to paw up the floor. Bender knew as long as he was up anything might happen.
“That goes for you too, Peebles,” he said. “Back up and sit down.”
Jeff Peebles glared at him in silent ferocity trying to decide whether he would lose caste by retreating. Bender knew what was going on in the back of the old man's mind but he didn't say anything because he didn't give a damn... Finally Peebles grunted and went over to a chair. Bender put his gun away and followed him and they sat down side by side at the same time like a pair of robots. The men all breathed easier because they would rather have a Ranger with them than against them.
He sat among them, strength of their strength, and with the authority to act. He could have given them commands and they would have been obeyed with no questions asked but he gave no commands. He looked at old Jeff Peebles and asked him what he wanted done.
The quiet request made it difficult for old Jeff and in that moment Bender's triumph was complete. Old Jeff cleared his throat, embarrassed, and said vaguely: “Well... I dunno, Cap'n. Things are pretty bad.”
Bender said they were and that he was ready for suggestions. After a little while old Jeff said maybe it would be better if the Cap'n used his own judgment and then he looked at the other men for approval.
It was noisy and emphatic.
They all came downstairs feeling that the problem was solved and they tried to get in close to Bender to shake his hand. He laughed and told them gruffly to get the hell on home and leave him be.
Chapter V
Ranger Tom Bender cruised through the open double doors of Botchey Miller's Happy Hour Club.