"You think your such a tough guy!", he slurred at me. "I know you found the darn gold....I heard ya was diggin' around out there!"

Just  then a stranger, who'd been standing at the bar, stepped in. "Now hold on there, Louie.", the man said. "We don't know what's gone on out at Nick's place, so hold your tongue. You're just ornry 'causin' ya got a whuppin' from this here new fella." This guy was slick, tryin' to smooth the waters.

"The name's James Jesse. I did some surveying out on the ranch for old Nick a while back. I hear he's your uncle." The people knew a lot more about me than I did about them. It made me uneasy.

The I'd had it and told the boys I was headed out to find a tack shop or the local black smith. I was on my way when Louie stummbled out cursin' my back...

I thought I heard the crunch of gravel under a boot...actually I heard his knuckles crack as he flexed his hand, ready to pull on me...

James mustabeen watching from the shadows of the bar and let out a quick whistle...

I pulled and spun...I had Louie pinned before he could blink. 
"Draw and you're a dead man...", I breathed at him.

James scrambled out of the bar to grab Louie before he got a case of lead poisoning. 
"Always nice to meet a new man in these parts!", shouted James. " You're welcome anytime and you'll find the blacksmith down the street."