Pagina 381 van 439

"Yes, that's about your size, Struve. You can crow loud now, when

the odds are six to one, with the one unarmed and tied at that.

But what I want to know is--are you playing fair with your

friends? Have you told them that every man in to-night's business

will hang, sure as fate? Have you told them of those cowardly

murders you did in Arizona and Texas? Have you told them that

your life is forfeit, anyway? Do they know you're trying to drag

them into your troubles? No? You didn't tell them that. I'm

surprised at you, Struve."

"My name's Johnson."

"Not in Arizona, it isn't. Wolf Struve it is there, wanted for

murder and other sundries." He turned swiftly from him to his

confederates. "You fools, you're putting your heads into a noose.

He's in already, and wants you in, too. Test him. Throw the end

of that rope over the limb, and stand back, while he pulls me up

alone. He daren't--not for his life, he daren't. He knows that

whoever pulls on that rope hangs himself as surely as he hangs

me."