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son,” said Nathan, through clenched teeth, “I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”
    â€œBack off, Stone,” Earp shouted, his hand on the butt of his Colt.
    But Nathan might not have heard. He seized Drew Collins by his shirtfront, dragging him across the table. He drove his right fist into the gambler’s face, and Collins went back across the table, slamming into the wall. He stood there, head sagging, but before Nathan could go after him, Earp had drawn and cocked his Colt.
    â€œOne more move out of you,” said Earp, “and I’ll shoot you. Now you turn around and do it slow. Then you loosen your pistol belts and let ’em fall.”
    Nathan turned around slowly, between Earp and Collins.
    â€œNathan!” Harley shouted.
    Nathan dropped to the floor and rolled, coming up on one knee, his Colt spitting lead. Collins had drawn a gun from beneath his coat, and his slug ripped into the bar, inches to the left of the startled Earp. Both of Nathan’s slugs had struck Collins in the chest, and he slumped back against the wall and slid to the floor.
    â€œThe back-shootin’ little varmint got what he deserved,” said a railroad man.
    Nathan got to his feet, holstered his Colt, and fixed his cold eyes on Earp. When he spoke, it was loud enough for every man to hear.
    â€œMr. Earp, that little sidewinder was about to finish what he started in Pueblo, when he ambushed me and gunned down Vivian Stafford. If it hadn’t been for Harley, he’d have shot me in the back, with you allowin’ it to happen. I’m claiming self-defense.”
    Earp was in a bad position and knew it. Most of the saloon’s patrons were railroad men who, along with the two bartenders, remembered Nathan Stone. Their faces reflected their disgust, and Earp yielded with poor grace.
    â€œI’m callin’ it self-defense,” said Earp. “This time. You’re not welcome here, and I want you out of town.”
    â€œI have friends here,” Nathan replied, “and I’ll go when I’m ready. I’m not ready.”
    Some of the men who knew Nathan laughed and others grinned, not so much at what Nathan had said as at the change it had wrought in Earp. His face had gone red; without a word he stalked out of the saloon.
    â€œEverybody to the bar,” said Harley. “The drinks are on me.”
    Nathan and Harley left the Long Branch, mounted their horses, and rode back toward the railroad depot.
    â€œThat was smooth,” Harley said. “You showed Collins up for the back-shootin’ coyote he was. Even Earp could see that.”
    â€œBut he didn’t like seein’ it at his expense,” said Nathan, “and he’ll be watching me. I could end up in his juzgado from spittin’ on the boardwalk.”
    â€œVivian’s goin’ to be glad to see you,” Harley said. “She won’t hardly leave the Dodge House unless I’m with her. She can’t stand Earp, and he follows her like a shadow. Since I’m with the railroad, I can’t antagonize Earp without Hagerman comin’ down on me. I’d as well warn you—she’s decided she’d rather risk bein’ shot with you than have Earp follow her around when I ain’t here. I’ve talked to Hagerman but he claims he’s in no position to discipline Earp. Hagerman’s just one of ten men on the town council, and the rest of them are sold on Earp. I’m thinking of quitting the railroad, taking Vivian, and moving on.”
    â€œFor the times,” said Nathan, “it’s a good job. Nothing else pays as well. If you quit, where will you go and what will you do?”
    â€œI have no idea,” Harley said. “I’ll be doing it for Vivian. I ran out on her once, and I won’t do it again.”
    â€œI understand,” said Nathan, “and I agree with you. Something must be done. We’re stuck with Earp until he