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OldWaldorf Bar Days
and other things mining men usually discussed at such
gatherings. Not a little egocentric hero-worship was
voiced, but the talk was mostly of what other fellows
had done; of "bad men" and shootings. And Master–
son's name was mentioned as having saved the expense
of a lot of hangings by using his six-shooter.
Plunkett dissented. He was emphatic about it.
"I tell you what," he said, "that fellow, Bat Master–
son, has killed more innocent men in his day than any–
body else in the United States!"
Whe.ther the statement was immediately challenged
or not, is not recorded. Masterson had good friends in
that group. A little later, one of them made an excuse
and left the room. He knew where Bat was, and he got
into a hansom and ordered the driver to go there, lick–
ety-split. And he gave a news-hot version ofwhat Plunk–
ett had said.
Hardly half an hour after the statement had been
made, Masterson in person dramatically appeared a t the
main door of the Barroom. One of the men at the table
caught sight of him and jumped up. The others, follow–
ing his gaze, turned. Two or three right hands went to
hips.
Bat, after halting long enough to achieve sensational
effect, strode straight across to the group. He stopped
at the side of his detractor's chair.
"Plunkett," he said,""l hear you have been talking
bad about me." With the words, he suddenly dug his
hand between Colonel Dick's neck and collar, shut his
fist, and made as if to pull the other out of his chair.
Plunkett was conciliatory. "Sit down, Bat," he said;
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