John Graves chuckled and endorsed the sentiment.
Tex nodded. "I reckon mebby he is, his star bein’ bright tonight. Much excitement in town after I left? Station agent make any trouble?"
"A lot of chances he’d ’a’ had to make any of us any trouble," sneered a miner. "I reckon he cut an’ run right quick. We’ve been figgerin’ he’s better off in some other town. Been thinkin’ of chasin’ him out. Any objections from th’ marshal of Windsor?"
"Not a cussed one," answered Tex. "He’s a trouble-maker, stayin’ here. Chuck him on th’ train tomorrow an’ send him back East, where he come from. An’ his sister, too, if you want."
Williams shook his head. "Not her," he said. "Henry’ll never let her git away from him. He’s aimin’ to take care of her; an’ he shore can handle her, _he_ can."
"I reckon he can," agreed Tex. "I just come in to get th’ doc to go out an’ look at Blascom. Since he’s struck it rich he’s been feedin’ like a fool. Them as live by canned grub, dies by canned grub, says I; an’ he’s close to doin’ it. I got a bottle of whiskey for him, but I reckon gin will be better for his stummick. Yes, a lot better. Hey, Baldy!" he shouted. "Put me out a bottle of gin an’ set up th’ drinks for all hands. We’ll drink to a better understandin’ an’ to Hennery an’ his bride." He pulled the pint flask from his pocket and winked at his companions. "I got a little somethin’ extra, here. Th’ smoke of Scotch fires is in it. Might as well use it up," and he quickly filled the glasses on the table, discovering when too late that he had none left for himself. "Oh, well; whiskey is whiskey, to me. I’ll take some of Baldy’s with th’ boys," and he swaggered over to the bar, tossing a gold piece on the counter.
"Where’s yore badge, Marshal?" asked Baldy, curiously.
Tex quickly felt of his coat lapel and then of his vest. "Cuss it!" he growled. "I knowed I’d lose that star--th’ pin was a little short to go far enough in th’ socket. Oh, well," he laughed, holding up his glass, "everyone knows me now; an’ they’ll know me better as time goes on. Here’s to Hennery!" he shouted. "Drink her standin’!"
The toast drunk to roaring jests, he took the gin and went back to Williams. "Goin’ after th’ doc," he remarked. "Lost my badge, too; but lemme say that anybody found wearin’ it shore will have bad luck. See you all tomorrow. He’s sick as a pup, Blascom is. Good night, an’ sleep tight, as th’ sayin’ is!" he shouted laughingly and nodding at the crowd he wheeled and went out. Once secure from observation of any curious inhabitants of the town, he ran to the horses, mounted, and rode up to the Saunders’ house, a home no longer. Entering it he quickly collected a bag of provisions and then, milling the horses before the door to start a plain trail, he cantered toward the station, where he crossed the tracks and struck south for the old cattle trail.