He was not a lamb among wolves, by any means, but the fleecing he got suggested that.
According to Wade he was getting what he deserved.

No cowboys, even such good-natured and fine fellows as these, could be expected to be subjects for Belllounds's cupidity.

And they won all he had.
"I'll borrow," he said, with feverish impatience.

His face was pale, clammy, yet heated, especially round the swollen bruises; his eyes stood out, bold, dark, rolling and glaring, full of sullen fire.

But more than anything else his mouth betrayed the weakling, the born gambler, the self-centered, spoiled, intolerant youth.