"But would you let him off like that if you knew it was so?"
"No. He swore it was not. I had no proof, so I let him go."
"You're altogether too easy with your enemies," asserted Tracy. "Just you turn them over to me. I'll take care of them, and they'll never bother you again, be right sure of that."
"I'll think about it," smiled Frank, returning the instruments to the case.
"You came mighty near being killed by that greaser because you were easy with him."
"And my life was saved by Big Monte because I had been easy with him. That balances things, I fancy. In fact, for me, it more than balances things. I'd rather let a dozen bad men escape punishment than strike one who is innocent."
"But neither Big Monte nor Pinto Pede was innocent."
"And Pinto Pede provided a subject with which to start a graveyard here. Big Monte seemed repentant. Pede would have knifed me, but Monte shot him just as he was ready to strike."
"Sure thing. He took a walk the first chance he got."
"And it's certain he's gone back to his pals. When they strike at you ag'in, if they do, Monte will be with 'em."
"All right. Perhaps he has an idea he'll be fighting fair that way."
"Well," said Tracy, "I must admit that I don't understand you none whatever! Hop Anson left his work, got a rifle and came sneakin' up to your door. You shoots him in the hand, then doctors him and lets him go. That's right peculiar. But I have him to deal with somewhat, and I propose to deal. If you hear before night that Hop has hopped the divide don't be any surprised."
"Look here," said Frank, "before you go, I have some things to say. Unless Hop Anson gives you good and sufficient cause, you are not to lift your hand against him. I don't want any shooting to get started here at the mine. I want these men to dwell together peaceably. The first shooting is likely to lead to other work in the same line."
"You're too much against such things," said Tracy; "and still I notice you don't hesitate any whatever to use a gun at times."
"When forced to it; never at any other time. I am decidedly against it. It would be dead easy to start an affair here that would lead to disturbances that might get the men to quarreling. That would put the men in condition to revolt, and an assault upon the mine would find us weakened. I trust you, Tracy, to be careful about this matter. Much depends on you. You have proved satisfactory in every way."