Johnny lost no time: "Nolan," he said, rocking on his heels, "tell Greener I 'll kill him if he marries that girl. He killed his first wife by abuse an' he don't kill no more. Savvy?"
The sheriff warily arose, for here was the opportunity he had sought. The threat to kill had a witness.
"An' if you opens yore toad's mouth about her like you did tonight, I 'll kill you, too." The tones were dispassionate, the words deliberate.
"Hear that, Jed?" cried the sheriff, excitedly. "Nelson, yo 're under ar—"
"Shut up!" snapped Johnny loudly, this time with feeling. "When yo 're betters are talkin' you keep yore face closed. Now, it ain't hardly healthy to slander wimmin in this country, 'specially good wimmin. You lied like a dog to me tonight, an' I let you off; don't try it again."
"I told th' truth!" snapped Nolan, heatedly. "I said she was a flirt, an' by th' great horned spoon she is a flirt, an' you—"
The sheriff prided himself upon his quickness, but the leaping gun was kicked out of his hand
