Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-19
CHAPTER XXXV.
The Meetings of Two Strong Men

The Meetings of Two Strong Men
MATT BARGER riding in the night intent upon
lvA nothing save the chance to deal out his venge-
ance to Van Buren, had camped beside the river at
the where Van and Beth had slrted the bank to
the regular fording below. The convicts horse,
which Beth had lost tethered where the water
way had encouraged meager growth of grass.
Barger himself had eaten snake and now returned
to narrow defle in the range, where his ambush
could be made.
To insure himself against all misadventure he
rolled of bouders down the hill to block the
trail. His barrier was crude but efficient Neither
nor horse could have scaled it readily, and the
slopes either side not only we'll nigh perpen-
dicular they also built of crumbling stone that
broke beneath the smallest weight. He abored dog
gedly persstenty despite his halfstarved condition,
and when he had finished he looked to his gun pro-
ceeded down the trail fifty yards more.
climbed the slope and there in the rocks, where the
walls gave way to sandy activity, concealed him
self to wait.
The sun at noon found Van mark for punishment:
The day the hottest of the The earth and
rocks rradated heat which danced in the air before
him All the world vibrant the atmosphere
simmer as if in very moekery of the thoughts that
similarly rose and gyrated in his brain His horse
suffering for water The river was still an hour
away SO steep was the climb through the range.
The trail he would gladly have avoided had such
course been practical He had ridden here with Beth
and therefore the mockerv all the intense.
His inward heat and the outward heat combined to
make him savage There was nothing, however. on
which to vent his feelings Suvy he loved Perhaps
he reflected, the horse his faithful friend.
Certainly the bronco toled most willingly across the
of lifelessness to bear him on his way.
Up through the narrowing walls of sand and ada
mant they slowly assembled Barger them once.
far down the trail. then lost them again as they
rounded spur of the shimmerng hillside. coming
where he lay. He up the slope consider
able distance farther than he meant to risk shot.
His breath hard he presently beheld Van
Buren, fairly entering the trap.
MANS head had fallen forward on his breast. He
looked at nothing. His face set and hard
Barger raised his pistol. sighted down the barrel
and repressed the impulse to fire as the horseman
went onward unsuspciously
No sooner Van round the turn where in less
than minute he would find his progress blocked
than Barger and with all his might down the
slope. He let out yell of exutation as he to
the trail
Van turned in his saddle instantly behoding the
in the pass He knew that sinister form His
pony had bounded forward, frightened by the cry.
Down went Vans hand to his revolver and the
gun up cooked for action.
One glance he cast up the trail ahead and
through Bargers trick The cul de sac perfect
and the convict had halted to fire.
1t made singular picture on Van Buren's retina-
that gaunt savage being, hairy wild of eye instinct
with hatred and malice, posing awkwardy, and the
sunt barrel of polished steel just before its yawning
muzze belched lead and cloud and roaring de-
tOnat1On.
The bullet went wide, and Barger fired again.
quickly, but more steadily That one landed 1t got
Van Just along the arm burning in long shallow
wound that barely brought the blood
Vans gun down. despite Suvys panic of
cavortings. He pulled the trigger The hammer
leaped; but the gun made no report no buck
no cloud, to answer Barger's The cartridges sub
Jeeted to all that water of the day before, were
The third of Barger's shots was fired from closer
range, the eager creature closed in upon his enemy
1t let the daylight enter Vans hat. the top