He had been bidden to draw and he had failed of the nerve.
"He breathed heavily; his eyes were not clear; his hands were shaky.
Almost I pitied this rustler who very soon must face an incredibly swift and mercilessly fatal Ranger.

Face him, too, suddenly, as if the grave had opened to give up its dead.
"Friends and comrades of this center group passed to and fro, and there was much lazy, merry, though not loud, talk.

The whole crowd was still half-asleep.

It certainly was an auspicious hour for Steele to confront them, since that duty was imperative.

No man knew the stunning paralyzing effect of surprise better than Steele.