The Marshall republican., 1906-05-04

"what OF the Noble Seven? Have
they anything to do with thisf' Ills
voice was quiet. but there was nm mr.
resting intensity In II.
"Wcll." I said. rather weakly. "a
man ought 60 look after himself"
"Yes-and his brother n little" Then
he added: what have any OF you
done TO help hIm7 The Duke could
have pulled him up n year & II he
had been willing TO deny himself n lit
tie. and NJ with all Of you. You all do
Just what plenses you regardless OF any
other. and NO you help one another
down"
I could not lind anything Just then to
sny. though nftcrwnrd many things
came Co me. For. though his voice was
quiet and low. his eyes were glowing
and his face was nllght with the lire
that burned within. and ! felt like m
convicted OF a crime. This was GER
tninly u new doctrine for the west. an
uncomfortable doctrine 20 practice. In
tcrferlng seriously with personal lib
erty. but. In the Pilots way OF viewing
things. difficult TO escape. There would
be no end 20 ones responsibility. l
refused to think II out.
Within u fortnight we were think
Ing II out with some intentness. The
Noble Seven were 10 have "a great
blowout" M the Hin brothers ranch.
The Duke had got home from his
southern trip a little more weary look.
Ing aud n little more cynical In his
smile. The blowout" was 10 be held
on permit Sunday. the alternate 10 tho
preaching Sunday. which WIS u con-
cession TO the Pilot. secured chiefly
through the influence OF Ill and his
baseball nine. IL was something 10
have created the situation involved In
the distinction between preaching and
permit Sundays. Iii put II rather
graphically. '"The devil takes his
innin's one Sunday and the Pilot the
next" adding emphatically. "He hain't
done much scorin' yit. but my moneys
on the Pilot. you bet!" Bill was more
cautious and preferred TO wait develop
ments. And Developments were rapid.
The Hill brothers meet was unusu-
ally successful from a social point OF
view. Several permits had been relui-
sitioned. and whisky and beer abound
ed. Races all day and poker all night
and drinks OF various brews both day
and night. with varying lmpromptu
diversions. such as shooting the horns
on wandering steers, were the social
amenities INDUCED In by the Noble
Company. On Monday evening I rode
out to the ranch. urged by Moore, who
was anxious that some one should
look after Bruce. tsl
II don't belong TO them" he said;
you do. They won't resent your COM
ing"
Nor did they. They were sitting at
tea and welcomed me with a shout.
Hello. old dominef' yelled Bruce.
"Where's your preacher friendf"
where You ought to be II you could
get there--at home" l replied. nettled
at his insolent tone.
Strike onev called out iii enthusi-
asttcally. not approving Brucc's atti-
tude toward his friend. the Pilot
Don't be 40 cute" said Bruce after
the laugh had passed. ''but have a
drink"
He was flushed and very shaky ana
very noisy. The Duke. at the head OF
the table. looked a little harder than
usual. but. though pale, was quite
steady. The others were all more or
less nerve broken, and about the room
were the signs OF a wild night. A
bench was upset, while broken bottles
and crockery lay strewn about over 4
door rocking with 6lth. The disgust
ON my face called forth an apology
from the younger Hill. who was ssrv.
Ing .up ham and. eggs a hest he could