Wade spoke in the rough language of the mountaineer. Times were such that a fellow must necessarily blow a fellow's brains out or get his own scattered over the earth. Thompson caught sight of Wade in his hiding-place and, seeing that he was looking into the barrel of Wade's rifle, took his hand from his pocket and raised it, with the other, high above his head.
"Ye've got me shore, this time," said Al. "What ye goin' ter do with me?"
"I'm going to kill you," replied Wade. "Turn your back to me, and be quick about it."
"What! ye hain't a goin' ter shoot me in ther back, air ye?" asked Thompson, turning to fulfill the command.
"Wouldn't you shoot me in the back, or any other part of the body, had you the opportunity?"
"I didn't."
"You haven't had the opportunity."
"Yes, I have."
"When?"
"Ther night I borried yer hoss. Ye didn't know me then, Wade, but hit was me, shore. I lost my hoss an' just had ter have 'nuther—had so much ter do afore morning', an' I took yours for only a little while, 'cause I knowed you wouldn't have as much ter do as me."