Let them hang me. Let
them shoot. So long as they are shooting a man and not a
sniveling skunk and softy, I can stand up to them and take all
they can give me--game.
ELDER DANIELS. Dont be headstrong, Blanco. Whats the use? [Slyly]
They might let up on you if you put Strapper in the way of
getting his brother's horse back.
BLANCO. Not they. Hanging's too big a treat for them to give up a
fair chance. Ive done it myself. Ive yelled with the dirtiest of
them when a man no worse than myself was swung up. Ive emptied my
revolver into him, and persuaded myself that he deserved it and
that I was doing justice with strong stern men. Well, my turn's
come now. Let the men I yelled at and shot at look up out of Hell
and see the boys yelling and shooting at me as I swing up.
ELDER DANIELS. Well, even if you want to be hanged, is that any
reason why Strapper shouldn't have his horse? I tell you I'm
responsible to him for it. [Bending over the table and coaxing
him]. Act like a brother, Blanco: tell me what you done with it.
BLANCO [shortly, getting up and leaving the table] Never you mind
what I done with it. I was done out of it. Let that be enough for
you.
ELDER DANIELS [following him] Then why don't you put us on to the
man that done you out of it?
BLANCO. Because he'd be too clever for you, just as he was too
clever for me.
FEEMY [reddening, and disengaging her arm from Strapper's] I'm
clean enough to hang you, anyway.
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