The turtle-dove took flight, to the great joy of all the outlaws except Bill.
"I'll bet you-all he'll come back to thet tree inside of five minnits," he offered, imperturbably.
Hereupon the outlaws did not show any laziness in their alacrity to cover Bill's money as it lay on the grass.

Somebody had a watch, and they all sat down, dividing attention between the timepiece and the tree.

The minutes dragged by to the accompaniment of various jocular remarks anent a fool and his money.

When four and three-quarter minutes had passed a turtle-dove alighted in the cottonwood.

Then ensued an impressive silence while Bill calmly pocketed the fifty dollars.
"But it hadn't the same dove!" exclaimed one outlaw, excitedly.