Forbes told McLaughlin, saying in conclusion, “When Dutch John says so, he means it.”
“Take my revolver out of the case,” said McLaughlin, “put it in your breast-pocket, and defend yourself as occasion may require.”
Forbes obeyed. Soon after, as he was passing along with a ladder on his shoulder, an acquaintance said to him,
“Dutch John is looking for you to kill you.”
“So I hear,” replied Forbes. “He’ll find me sooner than he wants to.”
A few rods farther on he saw John coming from the Magnolia saloon, where he had been looking for Forbes. Forbes sprang towards him, exclaiming with an oath,
“Here I am,” and immediately fired four shots at him. John fired once in return, and throwing up his hands in affright at the rapid firing of Forbes, ejaculated,
“O mein Gott! Will I be murdered?”
A bystander who had witnessed the meeting, and saw that John, who had expected an easy victory, was paralyzed with fear, called to him,
“Turn your artillery loose!”