The belligerents had already cocked their
weapons, although the bam was still a ram-
part between the parties. But an adroit
flanker of McKinstry's, creeping through the



CRESS T. 191

tall mustard, managed to take up an enfilad-
ing position as the Harrisons advanced to
break in the door. A threatening shout
from the ambuscaded partisans caused them
to hurriedly fall back towards the rear of the
barn. There was a pause, and then began
the usual Homeric chaff, — with this West-
em difference that it was cunningly intended
to draw the other's fire.
" Why don't you blaze away at the door,
you ! It won't hurt ye ! "

" He 's afraid the bolt will shoot back ! "
Laughter from the McKinstrys.
" Come outer the tall grass and show your-
self, you black, mud-eating gopher."

" He can't. He 's dropped his grit and is
sarchin' for it." Goading laughter from the
Harrisons.
Each man waited for that single shot
which would precipitate the fight. Even in
their lawlessness the rude instinct of the
duello swayed them. The officer of the law
recognized the principle as well as its practi-
cal advantage in a collision, but he hesitated
to sacrifice one of his men in an attack on
the barn, which would draw the fire of Mc-
Kinstry at that necessarily fatal range. As
a brave man he would have taken the risk



192 CSESST.
