“Thanks, Peter,” said Jim simply, holding out his hand.
Peter took it and wrung it.
“You see he wants to––hang you, Jim,” he said by way of explanation.
“And he’ll do it.”
Jim’s words came so solemnly that the men beside him were startled.
“But––but you didn’t––kill him?” Peter stammered.
Jim shook his head.
“No,” he said decidedly. “But––he’ll hang me––sure.”
“Will he?” cried Peter emphatically. “We’ll see.”
And the startled look in his eyes was again replaced by the shrewd, kindly expression Jim knew so well.