“Would you heed it?” demanded Kirk.
Skeeter rubbed his chin and glanced at Mrs. Kirk, who was watching him intently.
“If you were sick and needed the work, and your wife was willing to stay with you?” added Kirk softly.
“No, by ——!” exploded Skeeter Bill. “Not as long as I had a shell left f’r m’ gun, or one arm able t’ throw rocks.”
“That’s how I feel,” said Kirk.
“But what protection has your wife got? You have t’ leave her here alone, don’tcha?”
“Not all the time,” said Mrs. Kirk. “I go out with him quite a lot, and when I am here I have the shotgun, you see.”
Skeeter Bill crossed the room and picked up the shotgun. It was a sawed-off Winchester, with a magazine full of buckshot-loaded shells. Skeeter grinned at Mrs. Kirk.
“Didja ever shoot this, ma’am?”
“No, I never have; but I know I could.”