Читать книгу Buffalo Bill, Peacemaker; Or, On a Troublesome Trail онлайн

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The hands of both barons were now searching unsteadily for firearms. Fearing that one of them might lay hands on a six-shooter and accidentally work some havoc with it, the scout took time by the forelock and developed one of his own weapons.

“I reckon we’d better understand each other right from the start,” said he. “I came here to talk business, and I’m not going to leave until the business is settled. The cowboys outside are not going to interfere with us, and if one of you men lifts his voice to call for help, there’ll be fireworks—and the celebration will be mine, not yours. Hold out your hands.”

Both barons sputtered wrathfully.

“No man,” fumed Phelps, “can come into my house and draw a gun on me. By thunder, I won’t have it!”

“I’m here,” said the scout, “and the gun is drawn. I reckon you’ll have to have it—or something worse. Hold out your hands! I’m not in the habit of giving an order like that twice.”

There was that in the scout’s eyes and voice that struck fear to the hearts of the cattle barons.