Tahoma didn't understand every word of the conversation but he caught enough to know he had little incentive to put his knife down.  It wasn't just for a view of the tavern that he had chosen his spot, it had also been close to an exit.  He had learned enough of these white men to know not to get trapped within the buildings they insisted on building everywhere they gathered in any number.  His free hand reached for the colt holstered at Zeke's side but he kept their friend in front of him, hoping it would keep them from gunning him down where he stood.  He pulled Zeke closer to him, repulsed slightly by the foul smell, as he pulled both of them back towards the door behind him.  The smell made him wonder if the evil of the mine wasn't eating this man from the inside out.<br/><br/>He would learn nothing more from this room tonight and if they wanted to make good on their threat to hang him, he would at least draw them out into the night, where he would have some advantage.  He would have preferred a good solid tsihał but the weight of the colt felt enough for the job.  He didn't doubt the miners would hang him if they could in their rage, but if he slit Zeke's throat, he knew the whole town wouldn't rest until he was swinging from a rope.  He struck Zeke over the head and disappeared out the door before the odoriferous miner hit the floor.  He ran for the darkness, found a good spot to let his eyes adjust, then waited and watched to see if they would pursue.