San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-02-14


their rancOr and vague aninosities in
thoughts of supplying their hunger. To
ward the last of the repast Rawlins arose
and going to another room began over
looking some entries in the ranch books.
The pretty girl did not eat az the ranch
table. She had little banquets IN her
own room. just then she was in her
own room and began singing in low
tenor some tender little love song that
seemed born of sigh and n tear. The
boys at supper heard her, and their re-
sentiment of each others existence began
qrain 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 l 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 rs vicious us Moore
IF you're p'intin' 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 reed 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-
fdently, 'any man az chases me 'roand
much will regard it as u thrillin' pastime.
He won't get lat ut it-none whatever"
AS you all seem TO feel that away"
said Moore, IN step out and shoot with
you right now"
We'll, Ill shore so 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-
Gus, but passive. lt is not good form to
interfere with other peoples duelS i'll the
southwest. The pretty girl was still
singing, and the strains fell softly on the
ears of the cowboys Every one, whether
orlooker or principal, felt inspired with
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 45,"
the loosely bucklel belt letting it rest
low down on the right hip. Each threw
down his big llat and stood at apparent
ease, with his thumbs caught in the pis-
toll belt.
Shall you give thewo-d, or me?" said
Moore.
You give it ," said Watkins It'll be
a funny passage il American history if
you get your artillery to the front any
sooner than 90. then"
BE You ready" asked Jack.
"Shorc."
"Then-@oG
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bangr' went
both pistols together, and with q rapid
ity not to be counted. Moore got
crease in his lett shouldor-a mere
wound to the lesh--,lud Watkins fell
with Il bullet il lis side. Rawlins, the
range boss, came running out. lie IN
derstood all TT look. Hastily c.:aEin-
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 Iawiins, land pull your
freight This yere mans goin' to die"
(which | shorely hopes he does said
Jack, bitterly. III go, though; l amt
got no use for none Of these ycre he
shorthorns around the HT,"
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. lie was almost 100 miles
from his last corn, and cooled his merry
GUS muzzle rs lie took his morning drink
in the Rio Pecos, n stream far to the
west of the III.
"Some shooting scrape about their
saddles. miss; that's all" So reported
Rawlins TO the pretty girl.
Isn't it horrible!' shudGered the
pretty girl, in reply.
The next morning the pretty girl and
her CnaIled and twisted ntpaid the in
iured Watkins visit. This sight so af-
fectcd the other three cowboys that they
at once saGdled 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
sorbidding as they gGll0ped away.
Its pity Jack Moore amt no better
Disfol shot" said one. as the picture of