“I intend to,” said Johnny.
281“It’s not precisely that,” objected Danny Randall, “for, d’ye see, he’s sent you warning.”
“It’s about all the warning you’ll get!” snorted the doctor.
“There’s a sort of rule about it,” persisted Randall. “And that’s what I’m here to tell you. He’ll try to come up on you suddenly, probably from behind; and he’ll say ‘draw and defend yourself,’ and shoot you as soon after that as he can. You want to see him first, that’s all.”
“Thanks,” said Johnny.
“And,” exploded the doctor, “if you don’t kill that fellow, by the Eternal, when you get a chance─”
“You’ll give him a pill, Doctor,” interrupted Randall, with a little chuckle. “But look here,” he said to Johnny, “after all, this sort of a mess isn’t required of you. You say the word and I’ll take on this Scar-face Charley and run him out of town. He’s a good deal of a pest.”
“Thank you,” said Johnny stiffly; “I intend to paddle my own canoe.”
Randall nodded.
“I don’t know as we can help you any more,” said he. “I just thought you ought to be on to the way it’s done.”