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onto mine, Abe,” Pa pointed out pleasantly.  “If you don’t approve of where it is, why don’t you get those two strapping boys of yours move it?”
    “Damn you, Neuman.  There’s no way we can move that rock.”
    “Why not?  Me and my boys rolled it over there,” Pa chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.  “You telling me you McClintocks ain’t up to it?”
    Abe’s face reddened.  “My boys can outwork them skinny brats of yours any day of the week,” he said .  “Besides, you never rolled that stone.  There’s no track in the field.”
    “Well, Abe, it must’ve been nigh on dark when you went up there,” said Pa.  “Could be you just missed the track.  Or,” he added slyly, “maybe we raked over the ground so’s you couldn’t tell how we done it.”
    A number of Pa’s cronies snickered, which was all the encouragement Pa needed.  My bad feeling got worse.  Pa didn’t know when to quit.
    “I’m telling you me and my boys moved that rock, and it’s sitting in the middle of the north field to prove it,” Pa taunted.  “You may not like it, Abe, but that’s a fact.  And I’ll tell you something else.  That’s rock’s gonna stay right where it is because when it comes right down to it, none of you McClintocks is a match for a Neuman.”
    “That so?”  McClintock’s eyes turned squinty-shrewd.  “If you’re so sure of that, let’s put some money on it.”
    Pa stroked his chin.  “What’ve you got in mind?”
    “What I have in mind is a wager, Neuman,” Abe spat.  “I’ve got money says my boys can wrestle them two runts of yours flat on their backs inside of five minutes.”
    The room quieted, the mention of money getting everyone’s attention.  I pushed away from my food.  I wasn’t hungry anymore.
    At first Pa didn’t reply.  He knew he’d been backed into a corner.  I could see it in his eyes , and I knew he was trying to figure a way out.
    McClintock kept pushing, not giving Pa room to back out.  “What’s the matter, John?” he taunted.  He reached into his pouch and slammed two gold coins on the bar.  “You say your boys moved that rock?  Hell, they shouldn’t have any trouble with a couple McClintocks, then.  Or maybe you were just shooting off your mouth , as usual.”
    Finally Pa spoke.  “Even money?”
    “Even money.”
    “You’ve got a bet.”
    That was just like Pa.  He figured it was better for Georgie and me to take a beating than to back down himself.  Seething, I watched as he tossed down his drink and ordered another.  I could see his face in the mirror.  He looked mad and sick and stubborn, all at the same time.
    After finishing his fresh drink in one gulp, Pa turned and peered unsteadily into the smoky room.  Then, wiping his mouth on his sleeve, he walked back to where Georgie and I were sitting.
    “Thanks, Pa,” I said when he arrived.  “Thanks a whole lot.”
    “Button your lip, Seth.”  Pa pulled up a chair and sat with his back to the room, facing Georgie and me.  Georgie was still eating.
    “Listen, boys,” Pa whispered, lowering his voice so’s only we could hear.  “I’ll be damned if I’m gonna lose this bet to old man McClintock.  Here’s what I want you to do.  Seth, you’re smaller’n Georgie, so Jake’ll probably take you.  Keep away from him as long as you can.  He’ll get you, but make him work for it.”
    “Great plan,” I said, shaking my head in disgust.
    “Georgie, Caleb’s gonna go for you,” Pa continued, ignoring my sarcasm.  “I want you to use that power of yours to keep from gettin’ beat.”
    I couldn’t believe my ears.  “Pa, no!”
    Pa glared.  “Seth, you shut the hell up!”  Then, to Georgie, “Can you use that power of yours just a little, so’s nobody can tell?  Just enough so’s he can’t beat you?”
    Georgie seemed confused.  “I . . . I guess so.”
    “Pa, it’s not worth it,” I said.
    Pa was close to drunk by then, but still plenty