H. Bedford-Jones

“ Not a sign of the Circle Bar men was in evidence, but well he knew that they were waiting, grimly hidden.
Almost any man, given the opportunity, will shoot rather than be sent to the penitentiary, and Buck was now perfectly cool and steady in his resolute air. He had everything to gain and nothing to lose, and a single bold, well-planned stroke might yet save him from the brink of disaster. ”

“ To the last one they were men; reckless, scoundrelly if you like, but men unafraid.
"Ain't none of you ridin' to town?" asked Buck.
"Nary one, I guess," Sandy Davitt made response. A growl of assent backed him up.
"I appreciate this, boys; I sure do!" Buck's tall figure straightened up. "Well, I give you the worst end of the talk on the start. It's true that Sam Fisher is playin' a winning hand so far, but he ain't raked in the pot by a long sight! He's bluffed out Tracy, and he's got Pahrump buffaloed—but all he's got behind him is the Circle Bar, and we've got Jake Harper here. ”

“ If the man's make-up held a large amount of deliberate criminality, of cold and unscrupulous evil, it also held a large amount of strength and resolute purpose. Otherwise, Buck could never have remained the leader of such men as followed him. ”