But I permitted him to order me to stand back, and I stood back.

Of course, I'm under obligations to him, and all that, and he said good words to Winnie for me when I seemed to need them--but, hang it all! he isn't my boss! Who made him my master?
It's all right for him to lead Hodge around by the nose that way, but----" "Hello!" came in an inquiring voice, and Badger, looking up, saw Morton Agnew.

The Westerner's face took on an unpleasant look, and he did not answer the hail.
"Don't be surly!" said Agnew, coming boldly on.
"What do you want ?" snapped the Kansan.
Then the thought came to him that it would be a good idea to treat Agnew with some consideration, for thereby it might be possible to get the inside facts about the shell that ripped the gun open and came so near mangling his arm.
"What do you want ?" he asked again, toning down his gruffness.
"I know we're not friends," said Agnew, with the suavity of a confidence man, "but that is no reason why we should always remain foes.

I saw you here, and you looked lonesome.

I'm a rather lonesome bird myself to-night, so I whistled to you." "I allow you've the most gall of any man I ever saw!" was Badger's thought.
Aloud, he said: "We'll go down this way, then.