Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-02-15

receded sufficient length Of time be-
fore 20 make the thought OF quick
sands an idle fear. No pun OF cloudy
smoke leaped from a rifle barrel IL
as he more than half SUSPECTED. the
island was a rendezvous for cattle
thieves, place surely admirably lit
ted by nature for such unlawful onor-
auons. the rustlers were either over
confident OF the inaccessihilty OF their
retreat and kept no lookout. or they
We're insolently Indifferent 10 expos
ure. The former premise was the
more likely. A light breeze. born OF
the atterglow. came scurrying down
the river bed. Here and there. where
the sand was finest and driest. IL rose
In little whirlwinds. No sound broke
the stiffness Of the summer evening.
What was that? Coyotes barking
over yonder across the river? That
allen sound, A mans laugh. a curse. a
heartbreaking below OF pain. Willis
ton parted ever so slightly the thick
foliage Of underbrush that separated
him from the all TO familiar sounds
and peered within.
In the midst OF a small clearing
man-made. for several stumps were
scattered here and there-two men
were engaged 10 unroplng and reloas-
ing red steer. similar in all essential
respects 20 a bunch Of three or four
huddled together a little TO one side.
They We're all choice. weilfed animals
but there were thousands OF lust such
nEIm E.rHa Inc
He owned red steers like those. but
was there man in the cattle country
who did not? They were impossible
or Identification without the aid OF
their brand. and il happened that
they were so punched as 70 COMPLETELY
bahie Williston in his eager Efforts
10 decipher the stamp that would dis
close their ownership. That they were
the illegitimate prey OF cattle rust.
lers. he never for one moment doubt
ed The situation was conclusive. A
bed Of glowing embers constantly re-
plenished and kept at white heat
served 10 tighten up the weird scene
growing dusky under the surrounding
cottonwoods
Williston thought he recognized in
one OF the men-the one who seemed
to be directing the procedure Of this
little affair. whose wide and dirty hat.
rim was so tantalizingly drawn over
his eyes-the solitary rider whose IN.
expected appearance had so startled
him q short time before. Both he and
his companion were dressed after the
rough, nondescript manner Of cattle
men, both were gay, laughing and
laxative, and seemingly as oblivious
TO possible danger as il engaged in the
most innocent and legitimate business
A little to the left and standing
alone was an odd creature of most
striking appearance large. spotted
steer with long. peculiaT-looking horns.
It was quite impossible TO mistake such
a possession II il had once been yours. !
It's right side was turned full toward
Williston and In the center OF the hip
stood out distinctly the clearly eau
terized three perpendicular lines that
were the Identifying mark OF the
Three Bars ranch, one OF those same
big, opulent. self-centered outfits whose
astonishingly multiplying sign was be-
coming such veritable and prophetic
writing on the wall for Wnnston and
his kind
Who, then. had dared to drive before
MIN an animal so branded? The bold R
ness Of the transgression and the inso-
lent indifference TO the enormity of at
tendant consequences held him for the ,
moment breathless. His attention was 4
once more called TO the movements /
OF the men. The steers with which |
they had been working was led away !
sun moaning with surprise and pain. i
and another brought forward from
the reserve bunch. The branded hip. 4
II II was brand. was turned away |
from Wiiliston- The bewildered AMI.