"Gentlemen an' feller-citizens," he began: "As marshal of this booming
city, I am about to offer for sale to the highest bidder this A Number
1 piebald, pursooant to the decree of the local court an' with the
sanction of the town council an' the mayor. This same sale is for to pay
the town for the board an' keep of this animal, an' to square the fine
in such cases made an' provided. It's sound in wind an' limb, fourteen
han's high, an' in all ways a beautiful piece of hoss-flesh. Now,
gentlemen, how much am I bid for this cayuse? Remember, before you
make me any offer, that this animal is broke to punching cows an' is a
first-class cayuse."
The crowd in the Paradise had flocked out into the street and oozed
along the front of the building, while the stranger now leaned
carelessly against his own horse, critically looking over the one on
sale. Fisher, uneasy and worried, squirmed close at hand and glanced
covertly from his horse and saddle to the guns in the belts on the
members of the crowd.
It was the stranger who broke the silence: "Two bits I bid--two bits,"
he said, very quietly, whereat the crowd indulged in a faint snicker and
a few nudges.
The marshal looked at him and then ignored him. "How much, gentlemen?"
he asked, facing the crowd again.
"Two bits," repeated the stranger, as the crowd remained silent.
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