Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-01-31


it. Whstever's the matter with all you
people anyway! You're Ikea passel of
sore head dogs for more'n a week now.
You're shorely too many for me to sabe
an cl'ar gives you up
The boys started some grumbing reply,
but the cook called them to supper just
then. aud, one animalism becoming over
shadowed by another, they forgot their
rancor and vague animosities in thoughts
of supplying their hunger. Toward the
last of the repast, Rawlins arose and
going to another room began overlook
ing some entries in the ranch books.
The pretty girl did not eat at the
ranch table. She had little banquets in
her own room. Just then she was in
her room ana began singing In low
tenor some tender little love song that
seemed born of sigh and a tear. The
boys al supper heard her, and their re-
sentiment of each others existence began
again to fame in their breasts and burn
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 cooling, soft,
way that did not bring you the words
only the music.
"What | says about my saddle while
| back, means" said Moore finally, turn
| ing dark looks Oh Watkins.
s.See yere!" said Watkins in an ex-
{. asperated tone-he was as vicious as
Moore-"if you're pintin' 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 cere.
i monys'
"a man don't have 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.
tidently, s'any man as chases me round
much will regard it as thrillin' pastime
He won't get fat at, none whatever
GAS you all seem to feel that way, "
said Moore, ''1'll step out an shoot with
you right now
-S'Well! I'll Shore go you,' said Wat
kins.
They arose and stepped out at-th,
door. 1t was gathering dark, but it wa
light enough to shoot by.
The other cowboys followed in 81
lence. Not one said a word in com men
or interference. They were grave an6
serious, but passive. tits not good form
to interfere with other peoples duels in
the Southwest. The pretty girl was still
singing, and the strains fell softly OF
the ears of the cowboys. Every one
whether onlooker or principal, felt in
spired with licking, pleased anticipa
tion of the blood to be soon set flowing
Nothing was said OF distance. The
separated to about forty PAGES an
turned to face each other Each wor
his "Colt's A." the loosely buckled let
ting it rest low down on the right hip
Each threw down his big hat and stoo
at apparent ease, with his thumbs caugl
in the pistol belt.
''shall you give the word, or me?
! said Moore.
"You give it., said Watkins. s'It'l
be funny passage in American histor
If you get your artillery to the front an
sooner than / do, then"
'sBe you ready:' asked Jack.
ashore"
, "Then-go.''
"Bang! Bang Bang, Bang" wer
both pistols together, and with ra
pidity not to be counted Moore got
crease in his left shoulder mer
, wound to the fesh-and Watkins fel
, with bullet in his side. Rawlins, th
range boss, came running out. He under
!, stood all at a look. Hastily examinin
Moore he discovered that his hurt VIZ
nothing serious. The others carrie
: Watkins into the house
Take my pony, saddled at the fence
, Jack said Rawlins, land pull you
!. freight. This yere mans goln' to die.
(which shorely hopes he does" sal
Jack Moore, bitterly, ''I'll go. though
, I amt got no use for none Of these ye,
: he-shorthorns around the HT."
! So he took Rawlins's pony, and whe
be stopped riding in the morning it wa
!, no marvel that the poor pony hung h