And he could not turn his eyes away until the match burned down to Ronicky's finger tip and then dropped in a streak of red to the ground.
Then the sheriff spoke cold and hard.
"Partner," he said, "in the old days, maybe your line of talk would do some good, but not now.

You picked that fight with Blondy.

You knew you was faster on the draw and Hansen didn't have a chance.

He was the worst shot in Alder and everybody in Alder knew it.

You picked that fight and you killed your man, and you're goin' to hang for it." Another hush; no murmur of assent or dissent.
"But they's one way out for you, Gregg, and I'm layin' it clear.