“Get out of the way, you. I don’t stand for any butting-in,” the cowboy blustered.
“Don’t be a goat, Norris. She’s tired, and she says she don’t want to see you. That’s enough, ain’t it?”
Norris leaped back with an oath to draw his gun, but Jack had the quickest draw in Arizona. The puncher found himself looking into the business end of a revolver.
“Better change your mind, seh,” suggested the officer amiably. “I take it you’ve been drinking and you’re some excited. If you were in condition to savez the situation, you’d understand that the young lady doesn’t care to see you now. Do you 158 need a church to fall on you before you can take a hint?”
“I reckon if you knew all about her, you wouldn’t be so anxious to stand up for her,” Norris said darkly.
“I expect we cayn’t any of us stand the great white light on all our acts; but if any one can, it’s that little girl upstairs.”
“What would you say if I told you that she’s liable to go to Yuma if I lift my hand?”
“I’d say I was from Missouri and needed showing.”
“Put up that gun, come outside with me, and if I take a notion I’ll show you all right.”
Jack laughed as his gun disappeared. “I’d be willing to bet high that there are a good many citizens around here haided straighter for Yuma than Miss Melissy.”