Gilpin observer., 1909-09-23

dangerous, Bob, though they may be
troublesome" observed Smith, re-
flectively.
We'll, what's your plan?" blurted
Gene Johnson.
Il haven't any, Gene" returned
Smith, with perfect simplicity. MY
only plan is to ride into town and
serve my papers, If l can. I've got a
deputyship-andt 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.
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 the
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 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 it is,' said the blue-eyed man
sharply.
his hand rather awkwardly upon his
hat-brim
No" continued the spokesman, 1--WE
amt none of us happened to see Bot
or Gene Johnson to-day; but we hap
pen to seen Whispering Smith, ant
we'll blow your face of if you move
it an inch"
INIT 1otr
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 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
Williams Cache, wasn't it? All right
we're placed. Now what have you go
in for me?"
I've got 40 head of steers in fol
you," answered the man in the middle
with a splitting oath. You stole A
head of my steers in that roundup
and I'm going to fill you so full of leaC
you'll never run off no more stock fol
nobody. Don't look over there to you
horse or your rife. Hold your hands
right where they are"
Certainly, certainly"
When l pull, shoot"
Il don't always do it, but it is bust
ness, l acknowledge. When a mar
pulls he ought to shoot-very often it.
the only chance he ever gets to shoot
Well. it isn't every man gets the droI
on me that easy, but you boys have
got it," continued Whispering Smitl
in frank admiration. only l want t
say you're after the wrong man. Tha
roundup was all Rebstock's fault, ant
Rebstock is bound to make good al
loss and damage"
you'll make good my share of 1
right now and here" said the mar
with the wash-blue eyes.
why, of course" assented Whisper
ing Smith, IF l must, / must. l sup
pose l may light a cigarette, boys. be
fore you turn loose the fireworks?"
Light 1t Quick!"
Laughing at the humor of the situa
ton, Whispering Smith, his eyei
beaming with good nature, put tn,
finger and thumb Of his right hant
into his waistcoat pocket, drew out ,
package of cigarette paper. and, ban
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
to get 1t. The trick was too transpaI
ent and leave was refused with scorl
and some hard words. Whisperin
Smith begged the men in front OF hin
in turn for tobacco. They cursed hin
and shook their heads.
For an instant he looked troubled