Then ensued a silence fraught with suspense, growing more charged every long instant.

The balance here seemed about to be struck.
"Wade, I've been a gambler all my life, an' a damn smart one, if I do say it myself," declared the rustler leader, his voice inharmonious with the facetiousness of his words.

"An' I'll make a last bet." "Go ahead, Cap.

What'll you bet ?" answered the cold voice, still gentle, but different now in its inflection.
"By Gawd! I'll bet all the gold hyar that Hell-Bent Wade wouldn't shoot any man in the back!" "You win!" Slowly and stiffly the rustler rose to his feet.

When he reached his height he deliberately swung his leg to kick Belllounds in the face.
"Thar! I'd like to have a reckonin' with you, Buster Jack," he said.