The Tupelo journal., 1909-09-24
CHAPTER XxiV.-Continued.

Whispering Smiths brows rose pro-
testingly, but he spoke with perfect
amiability as he raised his finger to
bring the good eye his way. You
ought to change your hat when you
change your mind. l saw you driving
a bunch of horses up that canyon a
few minutes ago. Now, Rockstro, do
you still drag YOU left leg?"
The rancher looked steadily at his
new inquisitor, but blinked like a
gopher at the sudden onslaught.
(which of you fellows is Whispering
SMITH" he demanded.
1.-THE man with the dough is Wits
pering Smith every time" vas the
answer from Smith himself. you have
about seven years to serve, Rockstro,
haven't you? Seven, I think. Now
what have 1 ever done to you that
you should turn a trick like this on
me? l knew you were here, and you
knew ] knew you were here, and | call
this a pretty country; a little smooth
right around here, like the people, but
pretty. Have 1 ever bothered you?
Now tell me one thing-what did you
get for covering this trail? l stand
to give you two dollars for every one
you got last night for the job, if you'll
put us right on the game. Which way
did they go?"
What are you talking about?"
Get off your horse a minute" sug-
gested Smith, d~ismounting, "and step
over here toward the creek" The
man, afraid to refuse and unwilling to
go, walked haltingly after Smith.
What is 1t, Rockstro?" asked his
tormsntor. Don't you like this coun-
try? What do you want to go back to
the ~penitentiary for? Aren't you happy
here? Now tell me one thing-win you
give up the trail?"
81 don't know the trail"
81 believe you; we shouldn't follow
it anyway. Were you paid last night
or this morning."
81 amt seen a man hereabouts for
a week."
Then you can't tell me whether
there were five men or six"
you've got one eye as good as mine,
and one a whole lot better"
$50 it was fixed up for cash a week
ago."
Everything is cash in this country"
well, Rockstro, I'm sorry, but we'll
have to take you back with u.s."
The rancher whipped out a revolver.
Whispering Smith caught his wrist.
The struggle lasted only an instant
Rockstro writhed, and the pistol fell
to the ground.
Now, shall 1 break your ARM"
asked Smith, as the man cursed and
resisted. Cor will you behave? We
are going right back and you'll have
to come with us. Well send some
one down to round up your horses and
sell them, and you can serve out your
time-with allowances, of course, for
good conduct, which will cut 1t down.
II / had ever done you a mean turn /
would not say a word. If you could
name a friend of yours I had ever done
a mean turn to I would not say a word.
Can you name one? I guess not. !
nave lSlI yOu ao 1lCS as IL VAho hSASt
making only the rule I make for every
body-to let the railroad alone. This
is my thanks. Now, I'll ask you just
one question. / haven't killed you, as
I had a perfect right to when you
pulled; / haven't broken your arm, as
I would have done If there had been
a doctor within rs miles; and I haven't
started you for the pen-not yet. Now
I ask you one fair question only: Did
you need the money!"
"Yes, I did need it."
whispering Smith dropped the
mans wrist. "Then / don't a a word.
II you needed the money, I'm not go-
ing to send you back-not for mine"
ssHow al a man make a living In