Oxford Democrat., 1909-06-15

about the group.
"Yep," answered Sagebrush. we
finish brandin' the calves today.
reckon Fresno will have to take charg
of the drive. can't leave the ranc
until Jack gets back"
Show Low was the only sleeper VIII
had not responded to Parenthesis' cal
That worthy walked over and CAV
him kick which brought forth grun
but no other sign of an awakening
Returning to the fire. Parenthesis too
a tin cup and poured himself out Gu
Of coffee.
Heard any word from him yet?" b
asked as he gulped the beverage.
"NOthin',' replied Sagebrush grimly
''Slim wrote from Fort Grant he wa
OH the trail. but the PEACHES were out
an they wouldn't let him leave the for
till the soldiers went with him."
"Slim hadn't oughter gone an lef
things the way he did. Buck Mcke
is gettin' lot of bad men together an
lows he is goin' to run fer sheriff him
SELF" growled Fresno. Il got my ey'
on that Peruna."
"Peruna. Who's he:" asked Texas.
Zone of Bucks outfit" answeret
Fresno. He is mighty slick with th'
runnin' iron an brandin' other folks
calves"
1--WE can't be too careful" warne,
Sagebrush. Things is strained to u,
Dustin point, an any promise OF gul
play is goin' to set off a whole lot %
fireworks"
Show Low WAS on the verge Of wax
Ing up. This he did by gradually in
creasing the volume Of each snore ant
breaking II off with whistle.
At the very moment Sagebrush sug
gested gun play Show Low snorted hi'
loudest.
whats that asked Sagebrush
grabbing his revolver.
"Show Low. He's regular bras.
band when he gets started-from TN,
big trombone down to the tin whistle.
laughed Fresno.
Its wonder he can sleep alongsid,
Of that noise"
"He can't" Fresno volunteered
Hell wake himself up In minute
He's off now"
The snores Of Show Low grew NOR,
frequent until he climaXed his accom-
paniment Of sleep with one awfu
snort, which awakened him. 'Ea
what's that he yelled rs he boIndct
to sitting posture.
Didn't tell you?" queried Fresno.
Sagebrush grinned and slowly arose
gathering up his saddle and rope.
Swinging one over each arm. ht
started toward the corral, saying
"Come on, boys: we got lot to do TO
day. Git your hosses."
The night riders were coming intt
camp, meeting their comrades Will
grunts or In few words telling the
what to guard against in some par
ticular part of the grazing herd
The sun had risen. The cattle wcr,
on their feet browsing the shor,. swcc'
grass, moving slowly toward the rive
Work" growled Show Low Oar.
me II amt commenced 10 hate il -
Fresno picked up his saddle to fol
low his foreman. but paused lons
enough to fire this parting shot at the
cook: Say. Parenthesis, II them bis
cults you're maxim is as hard rs tn,
last bunch, save four of 'cm for me
l want to shoe that pony Of mine"
Parenthess threw tin cup 1T Frcs
no, who lodged It, Punching the
dough viciously, he said: Darn thi.
housekeepin'! Gets Il fcller's hands ri
rough. It's enough to spile the dispo
sition Of n saint"
His soliloquy was interrupted by
Buck Mckee riding up TO the wagon
from the Lazy X outfit, which WI,
camping mile below them.
Hello, cookie! How goes it, was
his greeting.
"You wind 1t up, an it goes eight
days" Parenthesis beloved. his tenn
per fast reaching the breaking point.
Jack Payson amt back YETI" Buck
asked, paying no attention to the bad
humor Of Parenthesis.
Not that | knows on"
The cook rolled the dough with elab.
crate care.
Nor Hoover"
"Ain't seen him." he replied curtly.
"Well. they hain't comm back. either
They pulled II Off pretty slick on Us
fellers. Hoover he lets Payson 20 an
makes bluff at chasin' after him.
Then they gets off somewhere. splits
up the money an gives us the laugh.
Parenthesis turned on him in anger
and shouted: 'I'll bet my outfit against
a pair Of green seeks that either one
Of 'em or both will be back here be-
fore this roundup Is over"
You will. eh" snarled Buck. well,
we're jes' waitin' fer 'em. Well swing
Payson so high he'll look like buz.
Eard, an as fer Hooycr-well. he
served his last term rs sheriff in this
here county-you hear me shoutin'.'
Mckee cut his pony with his quirt
and dashed away in time to escape an
unwelcome encounter with several
members OF the Sweetwater outfit who
~, In.t, a rat,tn
The men were riding out their new
string of ponies today. AS each passed
Parenthesis flung
a pilp at him