Pete told me Cotton
set out for home afoot. I didn't see him, but I'd take Pete's word
against Cotton's any time."
"Mebby you think we're takin' your word about Young Pete--and the
shootin'??
"Why not?"
"We can make you talk!" threatened Simpson.
"I reckon you could," said Andy easily. "Four to one--and my gun
hangin' over there on the saddle-horn. But suppose you did? How are
you goin' to' know I'll talk straight or lie to you? You ain't throwed
any big scare into me yet"--and Andy stooped and caught up his hat and
thrust his finger through the hole in the crown--"because I ain't done
nothin' to be scared about. I ain't shot nobody and I ain't seen
nobody get shot. Cotton could 'a' told you that."
"That's right," asserted Houck reluctantly. "White here had nothin' to
do with the shootin'. Cotton said that. We lost some time trailin'
you"--Houck turned to Andy--"but we don't aim to lose any more. Which
way did young Pete ride?"
Andy laughed. "You would say I lied if I told you. But I'm goin' to
tell you straight. Young Pete took the old Ranger Trail south, through
the timber.
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