Page:Morley roberts--Painted Rock.djvu/125

 "I knew I should," said Bailey.

"Crowle stated the other night that you and him couldn't live in the same town if you won it."

"I heard that," said Bailey steadily.

"Atkins has a good line of six-shooters on sale, my son. I handled a forty-four Smith and Wesson in his store yestiddy with a balance that made me yearn to buy it."

"Crowle is a talker," said Bailey.

"He chins a lot, I allow," said the Major, "but he gets wild with steady drink. If you don't mean to go heeled I'd quit the town for a while and let him get some used to the verdict."

Bailey set his teeth.

"I'll go when I like and where I like, and I'll stay if the prairie was full of Crowles."

The Major patted him on the shoulder.

"For an Englishman you're all right," said the Major. "But I'd regret some to see you shot up any. Ain't you got legitimate business elsewhere for a day or two?"

"I'm going to Big Springs to-night on