Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-02-05

deeply in their eyes. None u Iliese sav-
ages was in the least degree in love with
the pretty girl either. They might have
become so, all or any of them.
The singing went on in a cooling, soft
way that did not bring you the words
only the music.
''What ! says about my saddle while
back. Imeans, " said Moore, finally, turn
ing dark looks on Watkins.
''See yere," said Watkins, in an exas-
perated tone-he was as vicious as Moore
-'if you're pintin' out for a war jig
with me, don't fool round none for
reasons, but Jest let 'er roll. Come
a-runnin', an don't bother none with
ceremony"
"a man don't need to have no reasons
for crawlin' you none," said Moore.
you're fair game, you are. Anyone's
licensed to chase You round jest for fun
an exercise"
"You can gamble" said Watkins con-
fidently, "any man as chases me round
much will regard it as thrillin' pastime.
He won't get fat at it-none whatever"
GAS you all seem to feel that away"
said Moore, IN step out and shoot with
you right now."
"Well, I'll shore go you" said Wat
kins.
They arose and stepped out at the door.
It was gathering dark, but it was light
enough to shoot by.
The other cowboys followed in silence.
Not one said word in comment or in
reference. They were grave and seri-
ous, but passive. 1t is not good form to
interfere with other peoples duels in the
southwest. The pretty girl was still
singing, and the strains fell softly on the
ears of the cowboys. Every one, whether
onlooker or principal, felt inspired with
a lurking, pleased anticipation of the
blood to be soon set flowing. Nothing
was said of distance. They separated to
about forty PAGES and turned to face
each other. Each wore his "Colt's 49,"
the loosely buckled belt letting it rest
low down on the right hip. Each threw
down his big hat and stood at apparent
ease, with his thumbs caught in the pis-
tol belt.
"Shall you give the word, or meT' said
Moore.
'You give it" said Watkins. "It'll be
funny passage in American history if
you get your artillery to the front any
sooner than I do. then"
"Be you ready?" asked Jack.
"Shore."
"Then-gor
"Bangl Bangl Bangl Bang!" went
both pistols together, and with q rapid
ity not to be counted. Moore got a
crease in his left shoulder mere
wound to the fesh-and Watkins fell
with bullet in his side. Rawlins, the
range boss, came running out. He un-
derstood all at look. Hastily examin-
ing Moore he discovered that his hurt
was nothing serious. The others carried
Watkins into the house.
"Take>my pony, saddled at the fence,
jack" said Rawlins, land pull your
freight. This yere mans goin' to die"
(Which shorely hopes he does" said
Jack, bitterly. "Ill go, though; amt
got no use for none of these yere he
shorthorns around the HIT"
So he took Rawlins' pony, and when
he stopped riding in the morning it was
no marvel that the poor pony hung his
head dejectedly, while his fianks steamed
and quivered. He was almost 100 miles
from his last corn, and cooled his nerv-
GUS muzzle as he took bis morning drink
in the Rio Pecos, a stream far to the
west of the HIT.
y n
"Some shooting scrape about their
saddles, miss; that's ALL" So reported
Rawlins to the pretty girl.
''Isn't it horrible!" shuddered the
pretty girl, in reply.
The next morning the pretty girl and
her gnarled and twisted aunt paid the in
jured Watkins visit. This sight so af-
fected the other three cowboys that they
at once saddled and rode away to the
northwest to work some cattle on the
Ocate Mesa. They intended to be gone
three months. They looked black and
forbidding as they galloped away.
''It's pity Jack Moore amt no better
pistol shot," said one, as the picture of
the pretty girl visiting the wounded Wat
kins arose in his mind.
"That's whatever" assented the others.
The pretty girl was full of sympathy
for the stricken Watkins. 1t occurred
to her, too, that his profile was clear and
handsome. He was certainly very pale,
and this stirred the depths of her femi-
nine nature She and her aunt came to
see the invalid every day. Once the
pretty girl said she would bring him a
book to read and while away the hours
which seemed shod with lead.
II can't read" said Watkins, in tone
of deepest shame. 81 never learned.
should like to read, too, but there's no
one to teach me. So that settles that"
and the rascal expressed deep sigh.
Watkins lied. 1t was he who was the
Princeton man. He said afterward that
this lie was the only real good work he
ever did in his life.
So the pretty girl came every day and
gave Watkins a reading lesson, while
the gnarled aunt read book and watch
ed them through the open door.
'By the way" said Watkins one day,
"where's Moore?'
"Why" asked the range boss, to whom
the question was put.
"You tell him, said Watkins, his eyes