human
I remember,
gpt
Oh, you do, eh? I was only guessin'! I know'd if I asked you you'd lie about it--but I know now! An' it makes things a damn sight easier fer me.
human
Stand aside and let me pass! cried the girl,
gpt
I didn't say he drowned. He'll be along here any minute--and my husband will be here, too!
human
Oh-ho, my thousan' dollar beauty! sneered the man,
gpt
He advanced toward her, and the girl shrank back against her horse's shoulder.
human
Surely, you ain't afraid of me, he taunted,
gpt
You--_you dog_!
human
Dog, eh? You ain't helpin' yer case none by callin' me names. Ain't you got no thankfulness in you? Here I pulled you out of the drink where you'd washed ashore--an' take you along safe an' sound--an' yer callin' me a dog!
gpt
I would rather be dead, a thousand times, than to be here this minute--with you!
human
Well, you ain't dead--an' you be here. An' if you don't go the limit with me, yer goin' to wish a thousan' times more that you was a damn sight deader than you ever will be! You know what I mean! An' you ain't a damn bit better than what I be, either! If you was you wouldn't of left yer man an' pulled out with Tex. I've got yer number, so you might's well throw in with me an' save yerself a whole lot of hell. I've got more'n what Tex has, anyhow--an' there's plenty more where I git mine. You might's well know it now, as later--I'm an outlaw! I was outlawed on account of you--an' it ain't no more'n right you should share it with me. I've worked on horses up to now, but I'm a-goin' to branch out! Banks an' railroad trains looks better to me! The name of Purdy's goin' to be a big name in these parts--an' then all to onct it won't be heard no more--an' you an' me'll be down in South America rollin' 'em high!
gpt
You fool! she screamed, hysterically,
human
What are you laughin' at? I'm a fool, be I? I ain't real? When I git through with you, you'll think I'm real enough! An' I won't put you in mind of no comical opry neither! But, first, I'm goin' to collect that reward.
gpt
Reward?
human
Yes--reward, snarled the man, releasing her arm with a violent push that whirled her half way around. Fumbling in his pocket he produced one of the hand-bills that Long Bill had given him.
gpt
There it is--the reward yer man stuck up for you--though what in hell he wants of you now is more'n I know. It only says a thousan' there--but I raised it to five. I'll jest hold you safe till I git my mitts on that five thousan', an' then----
human
You'll hold me safe till you get the money? asked the girl, a gleam of hope lighting her eyes,
gpt
You know what I want, he sneered,
human
You devil! You fiend! cried the girl,
gpt
If there is, or if there ain't, it'll be the same, defied the man,
human
I ain't afraid of Him! He won't lay no hand on _me_!