IN OPEN REBELLION "It wus about the durndest fight as ever I see," explained Bill Hicks confidentially to a group of his cronies in the bar-room of the Poodle-Dog, while he tossed down a glass of red liquor, and shook the powdered snowflakes from his bearskin coat.

"He wus a sorter slim, long-legged chap, thet young actor feller I showed the trail down ter Bolton ter, an' he scurcely spoke a word all durin' thet whol' blame ride.

Search me, gents, if I c'd git either head er tail outer jist whut he wus up to, only thet he proposed ter knock ther block off some feller if he had the good luck ter ketch 'im.

Somehow, I reckoned he 'd be mighty likely ter perform the job, the way his jaw set an' his eyes flared.

Leastwise, I didn't possess no rip-roarin' ambition fer ter be thet other feller.