The Huttig news., 1909-11-27

 to eat and have this horse taken care of Then. Bob, l want you to ride into Oroville and reconnoiter This is mail day and l understand some of the boys are buying postage stamps to put on my eofiin.
 They went to the house. where Whispering Smith talked as he ate Bob took horse and rode away. and Gene with his guest, went back to the al falfa. where Smith took Rob's place on the mower When they saw Bob rid ing up the valley, Whispering Smith. bringing in the machine, mounted his horse
 Your man is there all right said Rob- as he approached. He and John Rebstock were in the BlaclSbird sa loon. Seagrue isn't there. but Barney Rebstock and a tot of others are I talked few minutes with John and Murray Sinclair didn't say much; only that the railroad gang was trying to run him out of the country. and he wanted to meet few of them before he went. l just imagined he held I'D little before me maybe not There's dozen Williams Cache men in town
 But those fellows arc not really dangerous, Bob though they may be troublesome" ob served Smith, re. fiectivcly
 Well. what's your plan?" blurted Gene Johnson
 T haven't any. Gene, returned Smith, with perfect simplicity My only plan is to ride into town and serve my papers, if I can I've got a deputyship-an that I'm going to do right away. If you. Bob. or both of you, will happen in about 90 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 I 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 books along modest bluffs. | Not 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 Blackbrd.
 
 They watched the new arrival with languid interest Smith walked stiafv over toward the saloon to size up the men before he should enter it. The middle man of the group, With a 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 youg' He threw back the brim of his stetson as he spoke.
 Hold your hand righ. there right where il is." said the hlueeyed man sharply
 Whispering Smith smiled. but held his hand rather awkwardiy upon his hat-brim.
 No. continued the spokesman. I've sin't none of us happened 10 see Bob or Gene Johnson to-day. but we hap. zen to seen Whispering Smith, and ven blow your face off fl you move 1t an inch"
 Smith laughed. "I never quarrel with a man that's got the drop on me. 3oys. 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 pistol-butts Hold onl I've met you somewhere, he said with easy confidence 10 the blue eyed man with the weather split lip. Williams Cache, wasn't it2 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 splitting oath. You stole 10 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 rifle. Hold your hands right where they are.
 Certainly, certainly
 When l gull. l shooti"
 q don't always do it, but 1t is busi- ness, I acknowledge. When a man pulls he ought to shoot-very often it's the only chance he ever gets to shoot. We'll, 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 want to say you're after the wrong man. That roundup was all Rebstoeks s fault, and Rebstock is bound to make good all loss and damage"
 "Youll make good my share of it right now and here" said the man with the wash blue eyes.