"
"He was," said Hal Purvis, "an' if you seen that play in Morgan's
place you wouldn't be wonderin' why. If I was the chief I'd do the
same."
"Me speakin' personal," remarked Shorty Rhinehart, "I ain't layin' out
to be no man-eater like the chief, but I ain't seen the man that'd
make me take to the timbers that way. I don't noways expect there _is_
such a man!"
"Shorty," said Haines calmly, "we all knows that you're quite a man,
but you and Terry are the only ones of us who are surprised that
Silent slid away. The rest of us who saw this Whistling Dan in action
aren't a bit inclined to wonder. Suppose you were to meet a black
panther down here in the willows?"
"I wouldn't give a damn if I had my Winchester with me."
"All right, Terry, but suppose the panther," broke in Hal Purvis,
"could sling shootin' irons as well as you could--maybe _that'd_ make
you partic'ler pleased."
"It ain't possible," said Terry.
"Sure it ain't," grinned Purvis amiably, "an' this Barry ain't
possible, either. Where you going, Lee?"
Haines turned from his task of saddling his mount.
"Private matter. Kilduff, you take my place while I'm gone. I may be
back tomorrow night.
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