Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-19

and out of it horseman rode, wav-
ing his gun in the air as he came.
Macpherson stepped back into the
house, coming out again quickly with
his Winchester.
by God" he said, between his
teeth, ''if they're going to begin by
taking pot-shots at us Now what
the devil is that fellow trying to do?
Hasn't he got sense enough to know
that Connolly's only waiting till he
gets in range?"
The oncoming horseman had slung
his rifle, and was waving something
white. The man in the breastwork
let him come up until he was within
easy killing distance, and then judg-
ing by the way in which the truce
bearer dragged his horse to it's
launches, the bronco's garrison had
called a halt. There was brief col
louuy of some sort-not peaceful, il
the field-glass were to be trusted,
and gestures mean anything-and at
the end of it the man with the white
handkerchief galloped back to his
company and led it by wide detour
around the intrenched one. Five min
utes later, Connolly ambled up and
dropped from his horse at the corral
bars.
what was the row, Dan?" Mac
pherson called.
"Nothin' worth the name of ut,
sorr. 1t was on'y Misther Engineer
Wykamp, av the Glenlivat Land
Coomp'ny-bad cess to 'm-poppin'
his gun over the head av me to ask
about the thrail. He was sweatin'
heejus, an for wan clint I'd We put
him out av his mis'ry. I was that
near to doin' ut anyhow
Macpherson's smile was the grim
NEST. ''It's Gods mercy Connolly
didn't kill him." he said. 1--WE known
him to do worse thing on slighter
provocation than that"
The little episode was to me like
the sight of his first battle is
like to be to the soldier, and
my bones became as water. More
over, the spirit of prophecy came up
on me and l was fain to give it
speech as one who had advised a
thought too rashlE
eff that's the beginning of it,
Angus, the middle part and the end
ing will be of violence. L don't know
but the school-ma am is right, after
all. What l had in mind was a legal
fight"
"You mean that I'd better be pros
pecting for the new range?"
after you've driven the money
bargain. yes. There'll be bloodshed
if you don't"
He laid the rife across his knees
and the far-away look came back in
to the brown eyes of him.
81 don't know" he said, slowly.
Somehow, | don't feel as sure about
what | ought to do as | did a few
minutes ago. Are we a lot of out
laws to be called down like escap-
ing convicts?'
| / tried to turn it off in a laugh.
'It's doubtless all one to the engi-
neer. He is probably from the far
east, with fictional notions of west
ern customs. | shouldn't wonder if
he thought that was the accepted
method of calling a mans attention
out here. Where are you going?''
! Macpherson had risen to take his
saddle from its peg under the wide
caves.
81 believe I'll ride up the valley a
piece and see what has become of
Milt. lie isn't quite as hasty as Dan
Connolly, but | wouldn't answer for
him if that fellow tries to bully him.
Shall | put you to bed before | go?''
I suffered him; and a little later,
through a chink in the ranch house
wall, saw him mount and ride. 1t
must have been hours later when he
returned. The men were snoring
peacefully, and the moon was pour
ing a flood of white radiance through
the square window openings and the
never-closed door of the ranch house
! ! heard Macpherson stumble in and
fling himself into his bunk, which
was opposite mine. When ! turned
over to speak to him, / had a glimpse
of his face in the moonlight, and
it brought me to my elbow with a
sharp ejaculation of concern.
For heavens sake, Angus, what's
the matter with you? You're bleed
ing-you're hurt!"
He rolled over quickly and hid his
face after the manner of petulant
child, and | heard something which
sounded like a mumbled curse.
"Never mind me; I'm all right
The bronco stumbled. You go tt
sleep"