The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-04-05

ne IHdn III tne CABIN, ugHly SIdSplnk
smoking rifle, leaped past the building and
up the hill to his horse, which, after regarding
the unusual scene with complacent curiosity,
had returned to a more pleasant occupation
and nipped at the thick clumps of cured grass.
1t bucked once as its master leaped to the sad
die and, with protesting snort, forgot the
grass in the sudden press Of duty.
Down in the pass seven men rode home
ward, laughing and joking, proud Of their last
two days work One Of them looked back
and then reined in, the others following his
example, TO wait for their foreman. While
they watched the back trail Lefty suddenly
looked surprised Hear that2" he asked,
quickly.
His question was answered by the negative
shaking Of heads and the Kid made face
tious remark about the wisdom Of embracing
temperance.
There Can't be thunder" Lefty cried,
and seven men exchanged looks.
"Not this time Of TIL year must be Wat
nes cutting kindling, Tex replied smiling.
DO you reckon we better prospect
bit2" asked Curley, as another sound was
heard
"I'll get there FIRST cried the Kid, his curl
osty and hope Of finding excitement firing
him to action. His challenge was all they
needed and they raced after him in the order
Of their start Kerchiefs huttered and
snapped, elbows fappei and eager voices
begged more speed from the straining, bound
ing range ponies; for the Kid was goating
out loud, very loud, in fact and his language
was Of nature stimulating to those behind
him.
1t was a good race, notwithstanding the
handicap start, for when they reached the last
bend in the pass, where the trail widened, they
shot into sight Of the cabin in compact line,
seven abreast-and pulled up hastily. Wal
des, pinned under the dead clay-hank, missed
being trampled upon by small margin.
What's tn matter?" Who done it?'
God Almighty and other eyclamations
arose as the seven, leaping from their mounts,
made quick work Of freeing their fore
man.
Are you hurt?' Tex asked Watiles anx-
iously, handing over the Colt he had picked
up across the trail.
No not to mention-some coyote was
busting in that door with log," replied the
foreman helping Lcfn strip the dead animal
OF ihe saddle and bride 81 couldn't get him
with the Colt, an my rifles home Get in th'
saddle, Kid iii double Up vi you to tn
corral That Bars cayuse VII 10 for me.
Come on, lively"
"Who was ito" "Wts7e is her" cried the
others already in the 5ad!e
Don't know He went o,cr that hill,
Wafles replied
lis Parker, for ~ yelled Tex,
shooting ahead like an arr - rom bow A
cloud Of dust rolled past The cabin and up to
the corral 4 minute lost there and they
swept up the hill, and as they burst over the
crest eight exultant yes rang out and the
rolling thunder of drumming hoofs swept
northward along plain, fresh trail and rap
idly became fainter.
Az dawn the cook Of the O-Bar-O peercd
out at the softly falling snow which bad
turned the gray. somber plain into binding
sheet OF white and wondered why it was that
the outfit had not returned. Bigfoot had
come in the day before with the chuck wagon
and told him to have an extra big supper on
the table. The supper was there yet. n !.
As he was about to close the door he caught
sight Of dark mass moving nearer through
the white veil and he hastened to prepare
breakfast for the cold and hungry men.
Busy among his pots and pans he did not
hear the door open, but he felt the sudden
draft of'cold air and turned; Hello Yore
fine bunch Of. What's tn mater,
Lcity?" he cried as Tex and Curley entered
the room supporting thsir companion.
"Oh, fell down an stubbed my toe"
blazed the injured man ssreastieally as he
was taken into the adjoining room.
"Well, il that-4"f began the cook, bat
was Interrupted, "Where'S my spare fopc,
cook ?" demanded Carls3 from the gallery.
Hanging up in there, where you let (
, Where's yorc new ons2"
"Ch, it made too nice a ncckte to bris
horac." 4
cob, 10, So Parker came hses, all s.
"Ya $: an to s..SiT.."