"Revolvers?" he questioned, "just step this way. I can fit you out all right."
He did have a fine collection and Jim examined the different ones carefully, noting their action and how easily they worked.
"I see you are no tenderfoot," complimented the proprietor. "You have handled shooting irons before."
"I'll be a tenderfoot before long, if I wear these condemned boots you sold me," said Jim gruffly ignoring the compliment. He did not care especially for M. Gonsalves' style. "Now let's have a look at your rifles." The proprietor actually took off his hat and bowed.
It was evident that the distinguished gentlemen from nowhere in particular were going to buy out his entire stock.
"Would you be so gracious as to step this way?" he said, "I have the rifles in the back of the store."
They were so gracious, and after due examination they selected a couple of well balanced guns and purchased enough ammunition to stand off a few Indian raids. All the stuff besides what they had on their backs they packed upon Tom's horse, as Tom was not present to resent the indignity.
"Now the last things are some saddles," said Jim, "seeing that our kind friends, the pirates, cut up those we owned."
"Senor Darlington," said the Spaniard coming forward and touching Jim lightly on the arm, "Do not speak of buying saddles. I will see to that." Jim did not know exactly what their host meant but he thanked him and deferred to his request.
Now behold the frontier boys in complete costume, with glittering revolvers at their hips and rifles swung across their backs, upon their hands were fringed buckskin gloves. They had gone the whole hog as Jim said.