Page:Ritchie - Trails to Two Moons.djvu/107

 of the thumb drew back and released the striking hammer even as the weapon was being withdrawn and leveled. There had been but one man in all the range country between the Broken Horns and the Black Hills who was quicker on the draw than Original Bill, but a straight white line running through the latter's raven hair an inch or so above the left ear bore testimony to the fact that once this superior master's aim had been a shade off true. One such error was all Fate allotted him.

At Original's taunting words Zang's lips curled into an animal snarl, and he tried to push the girl from him. His gun was cocked in his hand. Still Original's right hung loosely from his jacket's lapel; still he smiled teasingly.

"Put her up, Zang," he commanded in a casual tone. "It 's plain as a dry trail you can't shoot your way outa this jack pot—leastways not with the lady exhibitin' her loving kindness like she does. I 'd admire for to have you alone over a top sight, Zang, but you can see for yourself I have to take you as I find you."

Hilma flamed fiery red as she appreciated