proverb.

"We got a full table. Better ride away and forget it," said another.

"That ain't what I'm paid for, Jack," returned Fraser good-naturedly.
"Better turn him over to me peaceable, boys. He'll get what's coming
to him all right."

"He'll get it now, Steve, without any help of yours. We don't aim to
allow any butting in."

"Don't you?"

There was a flash of steel as the ranger dived forward. Next instant
he and the prisoner stood with their backs to the cottonwood, a
revolver having somehow leaped from its scabbard to his hand. His
hunting-knife had sheared at a stroke the riata round the engineer's
neck.

"Take it easy, boys," urged Fraser, still in his gentle drawl, to the
astonished vigilantes whom his sudden sally had robbed of their
victim. "Think about it twice. We'll all be a long time dead. No use
in hurrying the funerals."

Nevertheless he recognized battle as inevitable. Friends of his though
they were, he knew these sturdy plainsmen would never submit to be
foiled in their purpose by one man. In the momentary silence before
the clash the quiet voice of the prisoner made itself heard.

"Just a moment, gentlemen. I don't want you spilling lead over me. I'm