The San Francisco call., 1910-09-04
by JAMES NJ. FELLOM

r.,
and head full of thoughts. He
had never known another home than
the Arroyo Mayor ranch and had never
been outside its boundaries
Many years ago, so the story ran,
Sig St Claire had found him. on the
east bank of the Sacramento river near
the present site Of Tehama. An emf
grant party had been attacked and
plundered by Indians. sig took the
baby home. gathered a handful of men
and started back TO wreak vengeance
on the tribes. About this time gold
: was discovered at Sutter creek-Sig
and his followers never returned.
That was 10 years before and Jonesey
still clung to the ranch
One morning in July Jonesey tumbIed
out Of bed and took up his milking
pals
Far away across the valley column
OF smoke was curling out of one of
the dark canyons In the lofty range.
He knew it marked the location Of
Squaw gap. new mining camp If
Z ne could only get there. He had
heard so much about gold. Gold, bar
rels of it, was being found Some men
became wealthy in a day and were
able to buy many ranches like the
Arroyo Mayor and still be rich as
kings. Jonesey was discouraged FL
naily ne MIXED the cows and walked
back to the house.
The sun was just rising when the
stage stopped before the ranch The
messenger leaped to the ground
Are the boys up. sonnyY' he asked
Jonesey, who sat dreaming on the
porch.
Run in and tell 'em that the express
company wants man or two to go as
far as Squaw gap--that we expect a
holdup and want help"
Jonesey ran into the bunkhouse and
delivered the message. A moment
later he reappeared.
They won't CO." he told the man.
They're sleeping and run me out"
But daring plan had entered his
mind and left him trembling with ex-
element.
The messenger cursed.
What brave bunchl Gosh!
oughter picked up men at Corey's
Crossing. Slim, we're in hole. that's
all" With that he started to swing
himself into his seat beside the driver.
But he stopped and looked around.
Jonesey was speaking.
Let me go, mister" he was saying;
II know how to shoot, and l ain't
scared"
For a minute the man did not know
whether to laugh at the boy or take
him seriously He considered for some
He's better than nothing" he told
Slim in a low voice. then aloud-"get
aboard, sonny"
Tingling with delight that at last
he would see Squaw gap and the
world, Jonesey reached for the ladder
that led to the seats above. Here he
paused. The heavy. corded curtain
over the sash door OF the stage was
suddenly raised and man peered out
at him.
The face Of the stranger was swar-
thy and hateful. There was something
fearful in the beady, coal black eyes.
They seemed to snap a warning and
the boy quailed. The driver, glancing
back at him, growled angrly, cracked
his whip and the stage thundered off.
Hello, Jonesey," leered the passen-
ger; you don't know Sig ST. Claire,
Ell? Better be careful what you do,
bub!"
The boy reached the rear seat in q
panic All his enthusiasm was gone;
instead he regretted having come. The
man below was Sig st. Claire, but not
the Sig st. Claire he felt he remem-
bered. This man was bold, bullying.
brutal, even--the typical desperate as
he knew him to be. And the threat
in his words? Under the circumstances
they held world of meaning While
he puzzled over these things the mes
senger called.
Here's your guns" he said, hand
ing Jonesey pistol and a rife. Can
you use the long one? Let's see, put 1t
to your shoulder" The boy obeyed
and the man slapped his knee with an
oath of delight. See that. Slim? He's
quick as an old time gunman. Watts
your name, lad? Well, Jonesey, call
me Hank. Now. keep a sharp lookout
ahead. If you see ary thing that looks
squeamish blaze away. Better git
down low among them seats"
But the boy remained and gazed
with troubled eyes at the cut in the
rolling hills they were approaching,
and through which they must pass.
whats the matter? You aint
scared" said Hank. "A young fellow
what can handle gun like your
Jonesey shook his head.