Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-01-16

sentiment Of each others existence began
again to fame in their breasts and burn
-t2eply in their sscs. None of these saw
ages was in the least degree in love with
the pretty girl, either. sThey 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.
"Whst says about my saddle while
back, l means, said Moore, finally, turn.
ing dark looks on Watkins.
"see yereW said Watkins in an ex-
aspersted tone-he was as vicious as
MOore-''if you're p'intip' 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-
mony."
"A man don't bave to have no reasons
for crawlin you none, said Moore.
"You're lair game, you are. Anyones
licensed to chase ycu 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, none whatever"
"As you all seem to feel that way"
said Moore, "I'll step out an shoot with
you right now"
~AWell. I'll shore 90 you, said Wat
kins
They arose and stepped out at the
door. 1t was gathering dark, but ii was
light enough to shoot by.
The other cowboys followed in ST
lence. Not one said a word in comment
or interference. They were grave and
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 on
the ears of the cowboys. Every one,
whether onlooker or principal, felt in
spired with a licking, pleased anticipa
ton 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 buckled let
ting 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 pistol belt.
"Shall you give the word, or mel"
said Moore.
"You give it, said Watkins. "Itl
be funny passage in American history
if you get your artillery to the front any
sooner than do, then
"Be you ready" asked Jacl.
"Sbore."
''Then-go!'
Bang! Bang Bang! Bang" went
both pistols together, and with a ra-
pidity not to be counted. Moore got
cress sc in his left shoulder mere
wound to the hcsh-and Watkins fell
with bullet in his side. Rawlius, the
range boss, came running out. He under
stood all at a look. Hastily examining
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 yerc mans goin' to die"
(which | shorely hopes he does, " said
Jack Moore, bitterly, 'I'll so, though;
I amt got no use for none of these yerc
he-shorthOrns around the HIT
So be took Rawlinss pony, and when
he stopped riding in the morning it was
no marvel that the poor pony hung his
head dejectedly, while his hanks 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 HIT.
"Some shooting scrape about their
saddles, Miss; that's ALL" So reported
Rawlins to the pretty girl.
isn't it hornble." shuddered the
pretty girl, in reply.
The next morning the pretty girl and
her gnarled and twisted aunt paid the in
iured Watkins visit. This sight
~ "a 4 A