"If that's it--no. It's him or me, and I'm sure to beat him out.
Afterwards you'll forget him."
"Try me."
"Girls have said that before. I'll wait. There ain't no one but you for
me--damn you--I know that. I'll get him first, and then I'll wait."
"Ten like you couldn't get him."
"I've six men behind me."
She was still defiant, but her colour changed.
"Six, Sally, and he's out here among the hills, not knowing his right
from his left. I ask you: has he got a chance?"
She answered: "No; not one."
He turned on his heel, beckoned to Kilrain, who had stood moveless
through the strange dialogue, and went out into the night.
As they mounted he said: "We're going straight for the place where I
told Butch Conklin I'd meet him. Then the bunch of us will come back."
"Why waste time?"
"Because he's sure to come back. Shorty, after a feller has seen Sally
smile--the way she can smile--he couldn't keep away. I _know_!"
They rode off at a slow trot, like men who have resigned themselves to a
long journey, and Sally watched them from the door.
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