If he'd knowed me better, he wouldn't have done it." "What did you do ?" asked Joshua, interested.
Joe, who was satisfied that the fellow was romancing, did not exhibit any interest.
"What did I do ?" echoed the Pike County man fiercely.

"I told him he didn't know the man he insulted.

I told him I was from Pike County, Missouri, and that I was a rip-tail roarer." "And could whip your weight in wildcats," suggested Joe.
The Pike man appeared irritated.
"Don't interrupt me, boy," he said.

"It ain't healthy." "After you'd made them remarks what did you do ?" inquired Joshua.
"I told him he'd insulted me and must fight.

I always do that." "Did he fight ?" "He had to." "How did it come out ?" "I shot him through the heart," said the man from Pike County fiercely.