Yellowstone monitor., 1908-04-30
CHAPTER vi.

The island teemed with early sun,
| flowers and hints of goldenrod yet to
come. The fine, white, sandy soil
| deadened the sound of the horses
hoofs. They seemed to be spinning
through. space. Under the cotton.
woods it grew dusky and still.
At the toll house dingy blackboard
in state Of weird dilapidation, with a
team of shaggy buckskin ponies, stood
waiting Jim drew up. Two men
were lounging in front of the shanty.
chatting 10 the toll-man.
Hello. Jim!" called one of them. a
tall, slouching fellow with sandy col
oring
Now, how the devil did you git
so familiar with my name?" growIed
Jim.
The Three Bars is gettin' busy
these days" spoke up the second man,
with an insolent grin.
You bet It is" hragged linn. when
the ff'cers O. the law git TO sleepin'
with hoss thieves and rustlers, md
take two weeks to arrest bunch 1T
EN-, when they know prezactly, where
they keep thirselves, and have to
| have special deputies app'inted over
em five or six times and then let
most O. sthe bunch slip through their
fingers, it's time for some one to git
busy. And when Jesse Black and his
gang are so desp'rit they pizen the
chef Witnesses"
A gentle pressure on his arm
stopped him. He turned inquiringly.
Il wouldn't say any more" whisper
| ed Louise. Let's get on
The hint was sufficient, and with the
words, Right you are, Miss Reporter,
we'll be gittin' on, Jim paid his toll
and spoke to his team.
Just wait bit, will you?" spoke
up the sandy man.
What for?"
Were not just ready"
well, we are," shortly.
I'VE arn't, and we don't care to be
passed, you know"
He spoke indifferently In defer
ence to Louise, Jim waited. The men
smoked on carelessly. The toll-man
fdgeted.
You go to hell! The Three Bars
amt waitin' on no damned boss
thieves" said Jim, suddenly.
His nervous team sprang forward.
Quick as a flash the sandy man was in
the blackboard. He struck the bays
a stinging blow with his rawhide, and
hnv hn MT
the straight course to the narrow
bridge of boats. In another moment
the way would be blocked. With
burning oath Jim, keeping to the side
of the steep incline till the river mire
cut him off, deliberately turned his
stanch little team squarely and
crowded them forward against the
shaggy buckskins. 1t was team
against team. Louise, clinging tightly
to the seat, lips pressed together to
keep back any sound, felt a wild in
explicable thrill of confidence in the
strength Of the man beside ler.
The bays were pitifully, cruelty
lashed by the enraged owner of the
buckskins, but true as steel to the IA
miliar voice that had guided them
so often and so kindly, they gave not
nor faltered. There was a swapping
of broken wood, wrench, giving
way and the runabout sprang over
debris of broken wheel and wagon-box
to the narrow confines of the pontoon
bridge.
The Three Bars is gettin' busy!"
gibed Jim over his shoulder.
It's a sorry day for you and yours"
cried the other, in black and ugly
wrath.
I'VE amt afraid. You're nothin' but
hoss thief, anyway" responded jim,
gleefully, as parting shot.
Nov what do you suppose was.
their game?" he asked Of the girl at
his side
Il don't know" answered Louise,
thoughtfully. But l thought it not
wise to say too much to them You
are witness, believe you said"
Then you think they are part O the
gang?"
Il consider them at least sympa-
thizers. don't you? They seemed down
On the Three Bars"
In the Indian country at last. Mile
after mile of level, barren stretches
after the hill region had been left be-
hind Was there no end to the thirst
inspiring, monotonous, lonely reach of
cacti9 Prairie dogs, perched in front
of their holes. chartered and scolded
at them The sun went down and a
L IN
4 I'LL s