Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-09-23


horso.
"your man Is there all right" said
poh "a he approached HE and John
pohstcc, we're in the Blackbird sa
Ioor seagrue isn't there, but Barney
Rebstock and lot OF others are.
to,ked a few minutes with John and
Murray. Sinclair didn't say much;
onlv that the railroad gang was trying
IN run him out of the country, and he.
wanted to meet n few OF them before
he went. I just imagined he held up
little before me; maybe not.
There's dozen Williams Cache men
in town
But those fellows are not really
dangerous, Bob, though they may be
troublesome" observed Smith, re.
flectively.
well, what's your pan?" 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. II can. I've got
deputyship--and that I'm going to do
right away II you. Bob. or both OF
you, will happen in about 20 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 fiji 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
or three blocks along modest bluffs.
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 tho
Blackbird.
They watched the new arrival with
languid interest. Smith walked stiffly
over toward the saloon to size up the
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 20 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
whore it is" said the bue-eyed man
sharply.
Whispering Smith smiled but held
his hand rattle" awkwardly upon his
hat-brn
No" continued the spokesman. I'VE
amt none Of lie happened to see Bob
or Gene Johnson to-day; but we hap.
pen to seen Whispering Smith. and
we'll blow your face of If you move
1t an inch"
Smith laughed Il never quarrel
with man that's got the drop on me
boys. Now. this Is sudden but unex-
pected. Do | 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 il? All right
were placed Now what have you got
in FOR me?'
I've got 10 head of steers in for
YOU" answered the man in the middle
with splitting cath. You stole 4C
head of my steers in that roundup
and I'm going to fill you so full OF lead
youll never run off no more stock fol
nobody. Don't look over there 10 youl
horse or your rife. Hold your hand:
right where they are
"Certainly, certainly"
When | pull. shoot"
Il don't always do II, but II is bust
ness, acknowledge. When mar
pulls he ought TO shoot-very often III
the only chance he ever gets to shoot
Well, 1t isn't every man gets the droI
on me that easy, but you boys have
got it," continued Whispering Smith
In frank admiration. only want t
say you're after the wrong man. Tha
roundup was all Rebstock's fault, an
Rebstock is bound to make good al
loss and damage"
You'll make good my share OF /
right now and here" said the NAL
with the wash-blue eyes.
why, of course" assented Whisper
ing Smith, If must, ] must. sur
pose ! may light n cigarette, boys, be
fore you turn loose the hreworks?"
Light 1t quick"
Laughing at the humor OF the situa
/ ton, Whispering Smith, his eye
beaming with good nature. put tn
| finger and thumb OF hts right han
into his waistcoat pocket, drew out
| package Of cigarette paper, and bar
tering his captors Innocently tn
while, tore out a sheet and put tn
packet back. Folding the paper in hi
: Two hands he declared he believed hi
; TOBACCO was in his saddle.pocket, an
asked leave to step across the stree
10 get 1t. The trick was too transpal
eht, and leave was refused with scor
, ana some hard words. Whisperin
, nrhith begged the men In front OF hir
III turn for tobacco. They cursed hiI
4 and shook their heads.
no 90