The big-nosed cowboy must have thought that the Sheriff’s discourse had drawn Hashknife’s attention, because he whirled quickly in his saddle.
Hashknife’s right hand flicked down and up, and Blackwood flung himself forward to be out of line with the bullet that hissed past him and thudded into the big-nosed one. The latter’s pistol discharged and broke a window. He jerked back, swayed sidewise and fell out of his saddle, while his horse whirled, kicked at the falling man, and trotted toward the gate.
“Oh, the —— fool!” complained Blackwood bitterly. “If he didn’t know Hashknife Hartley—Gawd!”
The shooting had unnerved Blackwood.
“You seen how it was done, didn’t you Blue?” asked Hashknife softly. “He went for his gun.”
“By ——!” swore Blue savagely. “Can’t ten of us take two men?”
“Hop to it,” said Hashknife. “Ain’t no reason why you can’t try it.”
“Count me out,” said Blackwood quickly. “I sure as —— ain’t lost neither of ’em.”
He turned his horse and rode straight toward the gate and the rest of the horsemen followed him.
“Come back here and get Holy Smoke!” snapped Hashknife.