Lawless guns

the long version

Chase Iverton looked up. They were all drunk. Drunk and dangerous. 'Remember this' he said clearly and slowly, 'I'll kill the first man who tries to come near me.' He pointed his rifle at the belly of the rider closest to him. His eyes were blacker and colder than the muzzle of the gun he held so expertly in his hands. Now the group that had been so noisy and confident were strangely silent. 'Get out, ' somebody shouted from the rear of the crowd. 'Get out, turncoat, before we catch you without that rifle and shoot you down.' The other riders took up the jeer and they rode off. 'Shoot you down, turncoat, shoot you down!'