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Updated: May 11, 2025
They had come to admire Hollis for his courage in electing to continue the fight against Dunlavey; they had seen that in spite of his ignorance of the customs of their world he possessed a goodly store of common sense and an indomitable spirit. Yet none of them expressed sympathy, though their faces showed that they felt it.
"There ain't nobody out here crazy enough to think that the Cattlemen's Association will ever be put out of business!" Hollis's lips curled a little, but his gaze was still steady. "That's evasion, Dunlavey," he said quietly. "You will remember that I asked you what the Circle Bar would bring 'if' the Association ceased to be a factor." Dunlavey favored Hollis with a perplexed grin.
And in this country ridicule is a potent weapon even if it involves nothing more serious than a drunken printer." Hollis shook Potter's hand in silence. He had expected violence from Dunlavey; long before this he had expected him to show his hand, to attempt some covert and damaging action. And he had been prepared to fight to get the Kicker out. He had not expected subtlety from Dunlavey.
He was congratulating himself upon his narrow escape when a flash of lightning again illuminated the country and he saw, not over a hundred feet distant, sitting motionless on their ponies, a half dozen cowboys. Also on his pony, slightly in advance of the others, a grin of derision on his face, was Dunlavey.
Evidently he had expected another sort of greeting and was slightly puzzled over Hollis's manner. He remained motionless and Hollis had an opportunity to study him carefully and thoroughly. His conclusions were brief and comprehensive. They were expressed tersely to himself as he waited for Dunlavey to speak: "A trickster and a cheat dangerous."
Before the thunder of hoofs had died away Hollis felt Norton's hand on his arm and his voice in his ear. "Dunlavey!" There could be no doubt of that, for Hollis had recognized him also. He turned, to hear Norton's dry voice in his ear. "The new law don't seem to be botherin' Dunlavey a heap," he said. Hollis stepped boldly out on the ridge, his face grim and pale. But he was pulled back by Norton.
But I reckon that lets you out you ain't in on this and the mourners'll be after you to-morrow if you open your trap again!" The sheriff swelled with rage, but he closed his lips tightly. When Hollis and Norton had completed their search for weapons and had laid the result of their search on the table near Allen they sought their chairs. Dunlavey had said nothing.
Parting it, he saw the roof of a cabin. He recognized it; he had passed it a number of times during his exploration of the country. He drew back and crept crept farther along in the brush, certain that he would presently see Dunlavey. But he had not gone very far when he heard voices and he cautiously parted the brush again and peered through.
"Wait, Dunlavey," Hollis interrupted, without excitement; "I want you to understand that there isn't anything personal in this. I am going to fight you because you are a member of the Cattlemen's Association and not because you were my father's enemy. I am not afraid of you.
The sheriff would be held responsible for him. He said this much to the men. There was no other lawful way. He was not surprised that they agreed with him. They had had much experience in dealing with Dunlavey; they had never been successful with the old methods of warfare and they were quite willing to trust to Hollis's judgment.
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