THE CHALLENGE
"Howdy, boys," said the first. "We hain't seen you around camp lately, and thought mebbe you'd flew."
"We are still here," replied Johnny with smooth politeness. "As you see, we have been fixing our quarters to stay here."
"Scar-face Charley is here, too," observed the spokesman, "and he wanted me to tell you that he is going to be at the Bella Union at eight this evenin', and he wants to know, will he see you? and to come heeled."
"Thank you, gentlemen," replied Johnny quietly. "If by accident you should happen to see the desperado in question—who, I assume, can be in no way your friend—I hope you will tell him that I, too, will be at the Bella Union at eight o'clock, and that I will come heeled."
"You'll be comin' alone?" said the man, "or p'rhaps yore friend"
"My friend, as you call him, is simply a miner, and has nothing to do with this," interrupted Johnny emphatically.
"I thank you, sir," said the spokesman, rising.
The other two, who had throughout said no word, followed his example.
"Do you know Danny Randall?" asked Johnny as they moved off.
If he had presented his derringer under their noses, they could not have stopped more suddenly. They stared at each other a moment.
"Is he a friend of yours?" inquired the spokesman after an uncertain moment.
"He likes fair play," said Johnny enigmatically.
The trio moved off in the direction of town.
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