It seemed that their fear gave her
the greater courage. Her face flushed as she stood glaring her scorn.
"The yellow streak took a long time in showin', but it's in you, all
right, Pierre le Rouge."
"You've hated me ever since the dance, Jack. Why?"
"Because I knew you were yellow--like this!"
He shrugged his shoulders like one who gives up the fight against a
woman, and seeing it, she changed suddenly and made a gesture with
both hands toward him, a sudden gesture filled with grace and a queer
tenderness.
She said: "Pierre, have you forgotten that when you were only a boy
you stood up to McGurk and drew blood from him? Are you afraid of
him now?"
"I'll take my chance with any man--but McGurk--"
"He has no cross to bring him luck."
"Aye, and he has no friends for that luck to ruin. Look at Gandil,
Jack, and then speak to me of the cross."
"Pierre, that first time you met you almost beat him to the draw. Oh,
if I were a man, I'd--Pierre, it was to get McGurk that you rode out
to the range. You've been here six years, and McGurk is still alive,
and now you're ready to run from his shadow.
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