The other was astonished. Then he recovered his swagger and went on:
“They tell me you’re the old he-coon of this neck of th’ woods. P’r’aps you were. But I’m here now. Ketch on? I’m th’ boss of this shebang now.”
Dick smiled amiably. “All right,” he repeated.
This second acquiescence nonplussed the newcomer. But he insisted on his fight.
“You’re a bluff,” said he, insultingly.
“Ah! get out!” replied Dick with disgust.
“What’s that?” shouted the stranger, towering with threatening bulk over the smaller man.
And then to his surprise Dick Darrell began to beg.
“Don’t you hit me!” he cried, “I ain’t done nothing to you. You let me alone! Don’t you let him touch me!” he called beseechingly to the barkeeper. “I don’t want to get hurt. Stop it! Let me be!”