Page:Hugh Pendexter--Kings of the Missouri.djvu/34

 "Not do?" squealed the Frenchman, his arms and hands violently repudiating such heresy. "Have I not taught you the etiquette of the knife? Is there a young blood in St. Louis, in New Orleans, who knows it better? And behold, you say it will not do!"

"Papa Clair, your heart is as white as your hair. I've quit the A. F. C. Made to quit" "Good!"

"Hurry-Up Parker discharged me without a second's notice."

"Descendant of a pig! He shall be insulted by you and challenge you. I will appear for you. Weapons? Knives. He is not so old he can hide behind his age and refuse to meet you."

"Impossible! Even if I wanted to fight him I couldn't."

"Holy blue! I—I do not understand, M'sieu Lander. I, Etienne Clair, walk in darkness, m'sieu. I have taught you the knife. I have made for it the scabbard for you to wear inside your boot. Knowing what I have taught you, wearing the blade I gave you, you can look the devil in the face and tell him to go home or have his tail cut off. And behold! You say you can not demand your safety from a low-down