"I shouldn't be a bit surprised, especially as I see the Governor's sent us just enough of you fellows to excite a mob and yet be powerless against it. What were your instructions from up top?"
"I was to use my own discretion."
Luke looked at the young man and smiled at the idea of intrusting men's lives to such discretion.
"Well, the main thing is not to lose your head," said Luke.
"They'll outnumber us?"
"If they attacked, yes—undoubtedly."
The Captain returned to the whiskey bottle.
"And we'd be powerless, unless——" He hesitated.
"Unless you fired," Luke concluded for him.
They looked at each other, the man and the boy.