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Zac wanted to laugh in the young man's stupid face, then give him a good thrashing and send him home to his mamma, where he belonged. "Well, Jeb Smith, what can I do for you?"
"I hear you're the best," he challenged, and people began to spread away from them.
"Heard the same thing myself," Zac said, a haunting smile fixed upon his face. He pushed his waistcoat back behind his holster, an action meant to frighten the boy, since he had no real intention of drawing on him.
The young man swallowed hard upon seeing Zac's shiny silver six-shooters. "Well, I've come to find out for myself."
"You will do no such thing!" Prudence yelled, stepping around Zac and walking straight up to the startled young man. She raised her hand and pointed her finger right in his face, like a schoolteacher about to chastise an unruly student. "Your manners and actions are appalling. You should be ashamed of yourself."
The boy was stunned and took a step back.
She took a step forward. "Go home to your mother and have her teach you proper behavior and—"
She was grabbed roughly by the waist, lifted a few inches off the ground, and deposited near the door of the mercantile.
"Don't say a word, Prudence," Zac warned with a murderous glint in his eyes.
“I—”
"So help me, I'll gag you."
She snapped her mouth firmly closed. Let him get killed. See if she cared.
Zac advanced on the boy, sending him stumbling back in fear. He spoke low but with brutal authority. "You're right, son. I'm the best. I've killed more men than you've probably known and never blinked an eye. I've been told I'm so fast that my opponent can't even see my gun leave my holster. Many a man stood in shock and watched his own blood spill from his chest and wondered how it happened, since they never saw my gun move. I haven't killed in a while. Haven't had the taste for blood, but you've whet my appetite. What'd ya say? Shall we see if you can see my gun leave my holster?"
The boy turned pure white and so did Prudence. She began to shake, while the boy's response was much more embarrassing.
Jeb Smith took off without a word to Zac. He ran down the street, mounted his horse, and rode out of town as fast as the animal's legs could carry him.
The crowd laughed and cheered and began to disperse as Zac made his way to Prudence. She stood pressed flat against the building. He loomed over her. His look was menacing as he braced his hands beside her face, trapping her.
"Don't ever interfere again," he said. "You were lucky this time. He was young and inexperienced. An experienced gunfighter would have knocked you out, if he felt kind, and if not, he would have shot you."
Prudence tried to speak but found only a spurt of breath leaving her mouth.
Zac felt her fear and was glad for it. She had to understand what a stupid thing she had done. She had been lucky, very lucky. It was important for her to learn a lesson, since people rarely got a second chance out here. One mistake was all it took, and that mistake usually proved fatal.
"I've told you many times, there are few if any gentleman out here."
Prudence blinked her eyes and took a deep breath in an attempt to rid herself of the fear. She had known Zac was a famous gunslinger, but until this moment she had never fully understood the consequences of such a profession. He actually killed men.
Her heart beat like a wild drum and her voice was shaky. "You're not a gentleman."
It wasn't a question. It was as though she finally understood, but he answered, anyway. "No, Pru, I'm no gentleman."
He grabbed her arm roughly and marched her down the street to the steamboat.
The chaotic activities that the loading of cargo and passengers entailed brought a welcome relief to Prudence. She focused on the bustling commotion, chasing away her fears and doubts if only for a short time.
Zac guided her around trunks and crates waiting for loading. He held her arm firmly as he assisted her up the gangplank. Prudence was amazed at the variety of people here. Her eyes were widespread with excitement. She was eager to take in all she could.
They arrived all too soon at the cabin door, and with regret, she craned her neck and cast a glance about for one last look.
"It isn't necessary for you to remain in the cabin," Zac said, noting her enthusiasm over their venture. "I just wanted to make certain you knew where our lodgings were located. You may walk about the boat, but I request that you stay on board. With all this jumble of activities, I don't wish to take the chance of misplacing you."
