Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-09-11

The singing went on in cooling, soft
way that did not bring you the words
only the music.
What says about my saddle while
back, l means" said Moore, finally,
turning dark look on Watkins,
See yere!" said Watkins in an exas-
perating tone-he was as vicious as
Moore-"if you're p'intin' out for war
jig with me, don't fool round none for
reasons, but jest let 'er roll. Come
a-runnln' and don't bother none with
ceremony"
"A man don't have to have no reasons
tor crawlin' you none," said Moore.
You're fair game, you are. ANY ones
licensed to chase you round Jest for fun
an exercise"
You can gamble" said Watkins,
confidently, "any man as chases me
round much will regard it as thrilling
pastlme. He won't get fat at it, none
whatever"
"As you all seem to feel that way"
said Moore, "I'll step out an shoot with
you right now."
well! I'll shore 30 you," said Wat
kins.
They arose and stepped out at the
door 1t was gathering dark, but it was
light enough to shoot by.
The other cowboys followed in ST.
lence. Not one said word in COM
ment or interference. They were grave
and serious, 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 on-looker or princi.
pal, felt inspired with a licking, 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 buckied
belt letting it rest low down on the
right hip. Each threw down his big
hat and stood at apparent ease, with his
thumb caught in the pistol belt.
"Shall you give the word OR me % said
Moore.
"You give it," said Watkins. It'll be
funny passage in American history if
you get your artillery to the front t>y
sooner than I do, then"
BE you ready?" asked Jack.
"Shore."
"Then-gol"
"Bangi hang! bang!" went both pis-
tolls together, and with a rapidly not to
be counted Moore got 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 understood all at a
look. Hastily examining Moore he dis
covered that his hurt was nothing seri-
Gus. The others carried Watkins into
the house.
Take my pony, saddled at the
fence, jack" said Rawlins, "and pull
your freight. This yere mans goin'
ter de-"
(which I shorely hope he does," said
Jack, bitterly. "Pll go, though; I
amt got no use for none Of these yere
he shorthorns around the HI.
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 TANKS
steamed and quivered. He was almost
100 miles from his last corn and cooled
his nervous muzzle as he took his morn
inc drink in the Rio Picos, q stream far
to the west of the HT.
aSome 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 injured Watkins a visit. This
sight so affected the other three cow
boys that they at once saddled and rode
away to the Northwest to work some
cattle over 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 bet.
ter pistol shot," said one, as the pic
ture of the pretty girl visiting the
wounded Watkins arose in his mind.
"That's whatever" tassented 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
feminine nature. She and her aunt
came to see the invalid every day. Once
the pretty girl said she would bring
him q book to read and while away the
hours, which seemed shod with lead.
II can't read" said Watkins, in tone
of deepest shame; II never learned, l
should like to read, too, but there's no
. one to teach me. So that rettles that,
and the rascal expressed a deep sigh.
Watkins lied. It was he who was the
Princeton man. He said afterwards
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 reading lesson, while
the gnarled aunt read book and
watched 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. ''St'
You tell him" said Watkins. his eyes
beginning to gather rage, "that when ]
get out I'll be looking for him with
!, something besides teld-glass."