"I jest tell you, sah, they ain't no room in my room fo' a coward that sneaks off when he's got a fight. Now I——"
"I left word for you," said Mark, interrupting him.
"Word for me! Word for me!" howled the other. "You're a—a—a liar, sah!"
Mark's face was as white as a sheet, but he kept his temper.
"Now, Texas," he began again, soothingly. "Now, Texas——"
"Take that, too, will ye?" sneered Texas. "You're coward enough to swallow that, too, hey? Wonder how much more you'll stand. Try that."
And before Mark could raise his arm the other sprang forward and dealt him a stinging blow upon the face.
Mark stepped back, his whole frame quivering.
"How much?" he repeated, slowly. "Not that."
And then, just as slowly, he took off his coat.