The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-10-22

dangerous, Bob, though they may be
troublesome" observed Smith, re-
fectively.
"Well, what's your plan?" blurted
Gene Johnson.
81 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
deputyship-and that I'm going to do
right away. If you, Bob, or both Of
you, will happen in about 80 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.
want you both for the elk hunt next
fall, remember that. Bucks is coming,
and is going to bring Brown and Hen
son and perhaps Atterbury and Gibbs
and some New Workers.; and Nc
Clouds brother, the preacher. is COM
ing out and they are all right-all OF
them"
The only street In Oroville faces the
river, and the buildings string for two
luIOC DlOSho alOh6 LaSoSoe bAthSs
Not a soul was anywhere In sight
when Whispering Smith rode into
! town, save that across the street from
where he dismounted and tied his
horse three men stood in front Of the
Blackbird.
They watched the new arrival with
languid interest. Smith walked stifly
over toward the saloon to size up the
men before he should enter 1t. 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 to-day. any Of you?"
He threw back the brim of his stetson
as he spoke.
Hold your hand right there-right
where 1t is" said the blue-eyed man
sharply.
Whispering Smith smiled, but held
his hand rather awkwardly upon his
hat-brim.
NO." continued the spokesman, 1--WE
amt none of US happened to see Bob
or Gene Johnson to-day; but we hap
pen to seen Whispering Smith, and
we'll blow your face off II you move
1t an inch"
Smith laughed. II never quarrel
with man that's got the drop on me.
boys. Now, this is sudden but unex-
pected. Do 1 know any Of your" He
looked from one face to another be-
fore him with a wide reach in his
field of vision for the three hands that
were fast on three pistol-butts. Hold
on! I've met you somewhere" he
said with easy confidence to the blue
eyed man with the weather-split lip.
civilians 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 q 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, I shoot!"
IT don't always do it, but It Is bust
ness, 1 acknowledge. When a man
pulls he ought to shoot-very often it's
the only chance he ever gets to shoot.
Well, 1t isn't every man gets the drop
on me that easy, but you boys have
got It," continued Whispering Smith
In frank admiration. "Only 1 want to
say you're after the wrong man. That
roundup was all Rebstock's fault, and
Rebstock is bound to make good all
loss and damage"
you'll make good my share OF 1t
right now and here" said the man
with the wash-blue eyes.
"Why, of course" assented Whisper
ing Smith, ''if must, must. l sup
pose may light cigarette, boys. be-
fore you turn loose the fireworks?"
Light 1t quick!"
Laughing at the humor Of the situa-
ton, Whispering Smith, his eyes
beamjng 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 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.
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