The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-16

dangerous. Rob, though they may be troublesome" observed Smith, re- flectively.
 Well what's your plan?" blurted l Gene Johnson
 'I haven't any, Gene" returned Smith, with perfect simplicity. My only plan is to ride into town and serve my papers. if can. I've got a deputyship-and that I'm going to do right away. If you, Bob. or both of you. will happen in about 30 minutes later you'll get the news and perhaps see the fun. Much obliged for your feed, Gene; come down to Medicine Bend any time and I'll fill you up. l want you both fC~ the elk hunt next fall remember that. Bucks is coming. and is going to sring Brown and Hen son and perhaps Atterbury and Gibbs and some New Workers; and Me Clouds brother, the preacher, is com ing out and they are all right-all ef 1 them"
 The only street in Oroyille faces the river. and the buildings string for two or three blocks along modest bluffs. Not soul was anywhere in sight when Whispering Smith rode into town, save that across the street from where he dfsmounted and tied his horse three men stood in front of the Blackbird.
 They watched the new arrival with languid interest Smith walked stiffiy over toward the saloon to size up tle men before he should enter it. The middle man of the group, with thin red face and very blue eyes. was chew ing tobacco in an unpromising way. Before Smith was halfway across the street he saw the hands of the three men falling to their hips. Taking care, however. only to keep the men between him and the saloon door, Smith walked directly toward them. Boys have you happened to see Gene or Bob Johnson today, any of you?" He threw back the brim of his stetson as he spoke.
 Hold your hand right there-right where it is,' said the blue-eyed man sharply.
 Whispering Smith smiled but held his hand rather awkwardy upon his hatbrim
 "No," continued the spokesman. we ain't none of us happened to see Bob or Gene Johnson today; but we hap pen to seen Whispering Smith, and we'll blow your face off if you move it an inch"
 Smith laughed. "I never quarrel with a man that's got the drop on me boys Now, this is sudden but unex- pected. Do l know any of you?" He looked from one face to another be- fore him with wide reach in his field of vision for the three hands that were fast on three pistolbutts Hold on. I've met you somewhere he said with easy confidence to the blue eyed man with the weather-split lip. Williams Cache, wasn't it? All right. we're placed. Now what have you got in for me-"
 I've got 40 head of steers in for you" answered the man in the middle, with a splitting oath. You stole 40 head of my steers in that roundup, and I'm going to fill you so full of lead you'll never run off no more stock for nobody. Don't look over there to your horse or your rife. Hold your hands right where they are"
 Certainly, certainly"
 When l pull, l shoot"
 q don't always do it. but it is busi- ness, l acknowledge. When d man pulls he ought to shoot-very often it's the only chance he ever gets to shoot, Well, it isn't every man gets the drop on me that easy, but you boys have got it." continued Whispering Smith in frank admiration. "Only l want to say you're after the wrong man. That roundup was all Rebstocks fault, and loss and damage
 You'll make good my share of it right now and here" said the man with the washblue eyes.
 Why, of course" assented Whisper ing Smith. If l must, must. l sup pose l may light cigarette. boys, be- fore you turn loose the tireworks?'
 Light it quick"
 Laughing at the humor of the situa- IIOu, W ulSptllhS EolHltu, Aio tS co beaming with good nature put the finger and thumb of his right hand into his waistcoat pocket, drew out a package of cigarette paper and ban tering his captors innocently the while, tore out a sheet and put the packet back. Folding the paper in his two hands, he declared he believed his tobacco was in his saddle-pocket and asked leave to step across the street to get it. The trick was too transpar- ent and leave was refused with scorn and some hard words. Whispering Smith begged the men in front of him in turn for tobacco. They cursed him and shook their heads.
 For an instant he looked troubled. Still appealing to them with his eyes, he tapped lightly the lower outside pockets of his. coat with his fingers shifting the cigarette paper from hand to hand as he hunted The outside