"Oh, he does, eh?"

"Yes, sir-ee-o-bob; he's got to give up, dead or alive! Trot him out
lively, now!"

"I don't mind telling you that Mr. Barnes is here; but I'd like to know
why you're hunting him down like a wild beast, shooting at him and
Miss--I mean Mrs. Barnes. It's an outrage!"

"Oh, we ain't the on'y people that can kill and slaughter! She's just
as bad as he is, for that matter--an' so are you and that other
lantern-jawed outlaw in there." The Reverend "Jimmy" gasped and turned a
fiery red.

"Did he call me a--say!" and he pushed Crosby aside. "I'd have you to
understand that I'm a minister of the gospel--I am the Reverend James
Bracken, of--"

A roar of laughter greeted his attempt to explain; and there were a few
remarks so uncomplimentary that the man of cloth sank back in sheer
hopelessness.

"Well, I'll give them reason to think that I'm something of a
desperado," grated the Reverend "Jimmy," squaring his shoulders. "If
they attempt to put foot inside my uncle's house I'll--I'll smash a few
heads."

"Bravo!" cried Mrs. Crosby. She was his cousin, and up to that time had
had small regard for her mild-mannered relative.