Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1901-07-12
up!" And Rawllns shook his sage head

lust Their. and, one anlmalism becom-
ing overshadowed by another, they for
got their rancor In thoughts Of supply
ing their hunger. Towards the last OF
tie repast, Rawlins arose, and going to
another room, began overlooking some
entries in the ranch books.
Jess, the pretty girl, did not sit at the
ranch table. She had small banquets
In her own room. Just then she was
/ heard singing some tender little sang
that seemed born OF a sigh and tear.
The boys resentment of each other be-
gan again to burn in their eyes. None
Of these savages was in the least degree
in love with Jess, the pretty girl.
The singing went on in cooling, soft
way tina, did not bring you the words;
only the music.
"What | says about ny saddle
while back, goes as it lays!" said Jack
Cook.
The song had ceased.
AS Cook spoke he turned dark look
on Watkins.
"See yere!" replied Watkins in an
exaspera'ed tone--he was as vicious as
Cook-"if you're p'intin' out for war
Jig with me, don't go sampin' round
none for reasons. Let her roll! Come
a-runnin' and don't poster none with
ceremony
(Which vent don't have to have no
reason for crawlin' you!" said Cook.
"Anyone's licensed to chase you round
just for exercised"
"You can gamble" said Watkins,
confidently, ANY party as chases mo
round much, will regard it as a thrillin
pastime. Which it won't grow on him
none as habit"
Gas you-all seem to feel that away,
said the darkly wrathful Cook, III
| sorter step out an shoot with you right
now!"
An I'll shorely go you!' said Wat
kris.
They arose and walked to the door.
It was gathering dark, but 1t was llgnt
enough IT, sAOot by. The other cow
boys followed in a kind OF savage Sill
epce Net one word was said in COM
ment or objection. They were grave,
but passive like Indians. 1t is not good
form to interfere with other people S
affairs in Arizona.
/ Jess, the pretty girl, began singing
again. The strains fell softly ON the
ears of the cowboys. Each, as he list
ened, whether onlooker or principal leis
a liking, pleased anticipation OF the
blood to be soon set flowing.
Nothing was said Of distance. COOS
and Watkins separated to twenty PAGES
and turned to face each other. Each
were his six-shooter, the loose pistol
belt letting it rest low on his hip. Eacn
threw down his big hat and stood al
,apparent ease, with his thumbs caught
+, in his belt.
/ "Shall you give the word, or me?'
+, asked Cock.
"You say when!" retorted Watkins
"I.Il be a funny passage in American
history il you-all gets your gun to tne
front any sooner than | do.
"Bs you ready?" asked Cook.
(Which I'm shorely ready"
Then co."
Bang, Bang!! Bang!." went botf
pistols together.
The reports came with rapidly no
to be counted. Cook got crease in th'
faoe-a mere wound of the flesh. wat
ki,s Numbered forward with bullet II
\ his side.
Rawlins ran out His experience
! taught MIN all at look. Hastily eX
: amining Cook, he discovered that nj
= hurt was nothing serious. The other
:, carried Watkins in the house.
t Take my pony saddled at the fence
jack" said Rawlns, land pull you
> freight. This yere watkins is soih y
? die. Yor've planted him.
: (Which I surely hopes has, SAY
= Cook. with bitter cheerfulness. Il am
}, got no use for cattle of his brand; non
y whatever"
:, Cook took Rawlins pony When y
. paused. the pony hung his head whll
o his TANKS steamed and quiyered. An
a no marvel, That pony was lOo mile
( from the last corn, as he cooled n'
- nervous muzzle in the Rio San simon
i Some deviltry about their saddles
Miss; that's ALL" reported Rawlins
l:l Jess, the pretty girl.
isn't It horrible!" shuddered 3es
y the pretty girl.
+ The mex. morning Jess and the gnar
p1 aunt paid the injured Watkins
visit. This civlity affected the oth'
: three cowboys invidiously. They
ID once departed to line OF Cross
p camps in the northwest This on PR
y. tense of working cattle over on II
Cothise Mesa. They looked blac