The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-03-11

deeply in their eyes, None of these saw
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 II cooling, soft
way that did not bring you the words
only the music.
"What says aboutmy 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 p'intin out for 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
"Youre fair game, you are. Anyone's
licensed to chase you round jest for fun
an exercise.
"You can gamble" said Watkins CON
fdently, "any man as chases me round
much will regard it as thrillin' pastime.
He won't get fat at it-none whatever.
"As you all seem to feel that away
said Moore, "I'll step out and shoot with
you right now"
"Well, I'll shore 60 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 silence.
Not one said word in comment or in
reference They were grave and seri-
GUS, but passive. It 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 Colts 49,
the loosely bucllled 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 me?" said
Moore
'You give il, " said Watkins, "It'll be
a funny passage in American history if
you get your artillery to the front any
sooner than do then"
"Be you ready?' asked Jack.
"Shore."
"Then-gol"
"Bangl Bang! Bang! Bangp went
both pistols together, and with a rapid
ity not to be counted Moore got a
crease in his left shoulder "a 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, "and pull your
freight. This yere mans goin' to die"
(Which shorely hopes he does" said
Jack, bitterly. TN 60, though; | amt
got no use for mono of these yere he
shorthorns around the EFT"
So he took Rawlins pony, and when
he stopped riding III the morning it was
no marvel that the poor pony hung his
head dcjectedly, while hisfanks steamed
and quivered. He was almost 100 miles
from his last corn, and cooled his nerv-
GUS muzzle as he took his morning drink
in the Rio Pecos, a stream far to the
west of the HT.
Some shooting scrape about their
saddles, miss that's all So reported
Rawlins to the pretty girl.
isn't it horriblev' shuddered the
pretty girl, in reply.
The next morning the pretty girl and
her gnarled and twisted aant paid the in
jured Watkins visit. This sight 50 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'sa 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. It occurred
to her, too that his profile was clear and
handsome He was certainly very pale
/ and this stirred the depths Of her fe,ri
nine nature. She and her aunt came tc
see the invalid every day Once the
pretty gill said she would bring him q
book to read and while away the hours
which seemed sho1 with lead,
81 can't read, said Watkins, in a tone
of deepest shame. Il never learned,
should Ike to read too, but there's nj
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 tha
this lie was the only real good work h'
ever did in his life.
So the pretty girl came every day ant
gave Watkins a reading lesson, wIil
the gnarlad aunt read bool. and watch
ed them through the open door
"By the way" said Watkins one day
where's M0ore:'
WHY asked the range boss, to whom
the question WAS pat
"You tell him, said Watkils, his eye
beginning 20 gather rage, "that when
get out I'll be lookin' for him witl
something besides a field glass
"Oh, mol" said the Wety sirl, risiul
and coming toward Ills couch Ho
tmg showed disturbance and fear at tb
LI---..--L.L