The Red Cloud chief., 1889-02-15

have a right on the range. they arc
regarded as interlopers, and the little
patches Of prairie that they are brave
! ~ and toiisOme.y frying to convert
into fertile farms r regarded As SO
much stolen from, the rigktful feeding
grounds of the cattle.
lie kin cut up all he wants TO-"
said old Sladc. We're able fer him"
Which statement was substantiated
by the huge revolver holstered at the
hip OF each n OF the riders.
Every now and then. as the cayuses
bounded along. ScOtty turned to gaze
regre:fully toward the place where the
circus had disappeared in the timber.
Blast the cranser!!" he grovled
once. That thar elephant was
mighty nigh as big as a shack. an"
Plenty time enough to see him."
interrupted old Slade. ''We're sOrtO
killing two birds with one stone this-a-
w~ay-runnin' out the granger an see
in the circus. both the same trip"
They'll begin to put up the tents IS
soon as they git to town." said Scotty,
half rcgretfully. 81 lever seed"
'Wal." broke in Slade. las l said. it
won't take us bu. a little bit yere.
Well chuck the granger's outfit into
his wagin an tell him to git. He'll
git, or"
He completed the sentence by letting
his hand fall to the butt OF the huge re-
volver at his hip.
That's what's the matter" growled
ScOtty, full of wrath at the innocent
granger. who ought to have known
that the cattle interests were the only
ones regarded on the range, and have
governed himself accordingly.
The ~turtle-dOve few from the piece
of a fence as the squad came close. but
the half-slecping. half-delirious child
did not notice the cessation OF her
soothing, mOurnful COO. The orange
in the eastern sky was climbing higher,
and the myriad forms OF prairie-life
were Weakening all about to greet the
day.
impatient at any delay. Scotty sug-
gcsted Il very simple and effective mode
Of action. but this vas rejected by old
Slade.
YES. n run yer head into some
burned trap" the latter said, corn
fully. Kant tell what these grangcrs
III do. Some NV 'em air pizen!"
Then old Slade crcpt forward to re-
connOitcr. The cayuses were with
drawn to one side, almost out of range
of the little window of the shack where
the night wind had driftcd in. tanning
the sick child's fevcrish face. Soon q
shaggy head was lifted cautiously
above the windOw-sill, but when the
sick child's eyes opened they rested on
the bill that fluttercd gently upon the
wall. Then. as the candle-fame, as il
wearicd with its spluttering struggle,
expired, hcchild tossed ~uneasily, pant
ing in feeble gasps. and the man in the
splint- bOttomed chair awokc with an
anxious start. He did not see the old
cowboys shaggy pate. for it had been
quickly jcrked below the sill.
The ole elephan, likes little boys.
don't ne, pappy:!' the child's voice
pipcd.
To the anxious father the weak
voice seemed weaker still, and it was
with a face gravely apprehcnsive. and
tones a-tremble. that he told OF the
old elephant. in obedience to the pip
ing.
Tell me moro bout the ole cle-
plant. pappy."
Presently the sound OF the granger's
voice had ceased. and after several
moments Of silence old Slade cautious.
ly raised his head.
Upon the opposite side of the poor
bed the granger was kneeling, with
his bearded face buried in the quilt
beside the sick child, and his frame
shaking with sOundless sObs. almost in
unison with the child's gasping.
Then. impatient and wondering at
old SHADES delay. the rest of the COW.
boys. with the exception OF one who
held the cayuses, hurried, and then
crept forward till they were all squat
ted beneath the window. At first
their hands were on the butts OF their
huge revOlvers. but as the granger
spoke in trembling tones every hand
was withdrawn from its weapon.
Then. one by one. they pecred eau
tiously in.
~"Prayin'" Scotty whispered softly
to his neighbOr.
Then the child's feeble voice inter.
rupted the prayer.
"Pappy." it moaned. half rcproach.
fully. Il saw a ole elephant"
Pm afeard he never WILL" old
Slade whispered. softly.
Perhaps none of the cowboys SQUAT |
ting beneath the window were marvels |
OF acumen. hut as the prayer-vehe.
ment. almost acknowledgement on. |
they understood most of the story OF
the struggles Of the despised granger.
The prayer ceased presently, but
the granger still knclt with his head
bowed, and the cowboys heard some
sounds that made ScOtty whisper husk.
lily to his neighbor:
"Cryin'!"
Then the one thought that was al.
ways uppermost in the lids delir.
ium asserted itself again.
"Pappy.' the little voice piped.
------p A L