"Thank you."
Captain Burr fell silent. Suddenly he began to laugh.
"Po' Farewell," he chuckled. "Theah will be some powdeh bu'nt befo' the day is out."
"How?"
"Block. His pride has had a fall. Quite a few saw the tumble. An o'dina'y man would tuck his tail between his legs and go elsewheah. But the sheriff is not an o'dina'y man. He's too mean. In order to reinstate himself in the affections of the townspeople he will feel compelled to shoot one of them. Mahk my wo'ds, theah will be trouble in the smoke fo' Farewell."
"It can stand it. Outside o' Mike Flynn, an' Bill Lainey an' his wife, there ain't a decent two-legged party in the whole place."
Captain Burr nodded and turned an appreciative eye on Ranger.
"That chestnut hoss ce'tainly does please me," he said. "I wish I'd bought him myself. I do indeed."