Page:Morley roberts--Painted Rock.djvu/278

 Prentiss. "What's he a-doin' a-riding araound hyar? If he was dead I'd be pleased, and mebbe Amandy would be none too sad neither."

Old Bill rode up. He pointed his shot-gun straight at the cowboy.

"Don't do that," said Prentiss angrily. "The dern ole thing might go off!"

But Old Bill looked mighty serious. He spoke, and Prentiss knew this was business.

"Unbuckle thet belt o' yours and let yur gun fall into the ground," said Old Bill, "or I'll put a double handful of shot into your stummick 'thout another word!"

The cowboy looked at him steadily.

"D'ye mean it, Mr. Higginson? I own you've got the drop on me."

"I mean it," said Higginson. His fierce old eyes said so too.

So Prentiss unbuckled his belt and let it and the gun fall on the ground.

"Walk away some," said Old BiU. When Prentiss was twenty yards away, Higginson alighted and picked up the weapon. He belted himself with it and mounted again.