A Vendetta of the Hills

from where we are settin'. He was standin' right in front of this store when young Ben Thurston and two of his ranch hands rode up. If ever I saw real bravery it was that mornin'. Don't take much bravery to do some things heroic when you have your artillery handy, but it requires the real stuff when you're gunless. "Young Thurston spoke to his companions and they drew their guns and kept them leveled at Don Manuel as their boss dismounted. "Don Manuel was one of the handsomest young fellers I ever laid my two eyes on. He walked straight up to Thurston, and notwithstandin' the two loaded pieces of artillery was pintin' straight at him said: " 'Ben Thurston, you are the man who killed my sister.' " 'You are a damned liar!' retorted Thurston. " 'Yes, you killed her,' went on Don Manuel. 'I found this button in her dead hand, and right there, by God! is where it came from. Look at your coat. Your life shall pay for this dastardly murder. If I had my gun I would settle the matter now, notwithstandin' that today I have been burying my beloved father and mother.' "When young Thurston heard about there bein' no gun, he snatched the tell-tale button from his accuser's hand, swung himself into his saddle, laughed mockingly, and with his quirt struck Don Manuel across the face; then he wheeled round his pony and rode away with his bodyguards in a cloud of dust. "God! I will never forget it. Don Manuel stood there, as white as a piece of paper, and never m...