И проиграли бой

           Oneithersideofhimstoodamanwearingadeputysheriff’sbadge,andineachofhishandswereshot-guns.Thesuperintendentlookedovertheheadsoftheguardians."Iwanttotalktoyou,London."

           "Yousurecomewithanolive-branch,"saidLondon.

           "Well,letmecomein.Maybewecanworksomethingout."LondonlookedatMac,andMacnodded.Thegreatcrowdofmenwassilent,listening.The‘super’steppedforward,withhisdeputiesbesidehim.Theguardsmaintainedtheirposition.Oneofthemsaid,"Lethimleavehisbullsoutside,chief."

           "That’sagoodidear,"saidLondon."Youdon’tneednobuckshottotalkwith."

           The‘super’glancednervouslyaboutatthesilent,threateningmen."WhatproofhaveIthatyou’llplaystraight?"hedemanded.

           "JustaboutasmuchasIhavethatyouwill."

           The‘super’madehisdecision."Stayoutsideandkeeporder,"hesaid.

           Nowtheguardianssteppedaside,lettingtheonemanenter,andthenresumedtheirposition.Thedeputieswerenervous.Theystoodfingeringtheirgunsandlookingfiercelyaboutthem.

           Londonclosedthedoor."Idon’tknowwhyyoucouldn’tsayitoutside,wheretheguyscouldhear."

           The‘super’sawMacandJim.HelookedangrilyatLondon."Putthosemenout."

           "Uh-uh,"saidLondon.

           "Nowlookhere,London,youdon’tknowwhatyou’redoing.I’mofferingyouthechancetogobacktoworkifyoukickthosemenout."