The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1910-08-25
CAMEO
KIRBY


norant Of the exact spot where the
cOmbatants were to meet. there exist
ed no alternative but to press on In the
wake Of MOreau. who he had every
reason to believe had taken the famil
lar and direct route Thoroughly i'm
bued with the desire and expectat iOu
Of witnessing Kirby's death and thus
In measure quitting his vengea nee
young Randall broke into a run. conf
dent that on turning each successive
corner he would come in sight Of the
serene and indomitable colonel. But
time and distance dew by until a,
length the tall trees bordering the
grove broke upon his vision. and as YET
bis quarry had not been run to earth
Monentarily perpiexed and mSS..t.
lied. the boy turned and scanned the
way by which he had come Could he
have In some cryptic manner passed
the other on the road. or, contrary tn
all expectation. had Moreau taken the
short cut, and was he even now in the
grove face to face with Cameo Kirby =:
For Immediate and conclusive answer
TWO pistol shots ratified out. shatterins
the cool serenity Of the morning
and sending bevy of frightened rocks
cirrling and cawing high into the
breeding blue dome Of the heavens
Cursing his Ill luck. young Randall!
raced furiously toward the distant
grove
Colonel Moreau. considerably more
familiar with the town than Tom Ran
dali. had indeed availed himself of the
shortest cut possible and one which
would lead him directly to that en-
trance the situation Of which Larkin
Bunce had been at pains to explain
NO time could be wasted, for Kirby
was already there. and to keep an ad-
versary waiting smacked not only of
cowardice. but was direct breach of
the code regulating such affairs of
honor. 1t was characteristic of Mo
telu that if left to himself he would
scrrneiy outrage all codes by shoot ing
man in the back. but that when OH
ciaily entered for combat-such as
on the present occasion he punctil-
iously observed both the spirit and the
letter
Kirby living meant a serious men
ace: Kirby dead meant security and a
tighter grip on the spoils of the river.
reoccupation Of the premier position
from which he had been ousted. Bust.
In ic
ored for Kirby's death. For Bunce.
If he grew troublesome. he would ac-
count, and he could rely on the. latter's
remaining true to the code Of their
rofession-carrying no tales to the
Randalls. but instead. if he considered
fit. fighting out the issue with the
slayer of his partner. 1t can thus be
seen that Moreau in his usual Opt
mistic fashion had the future arrang-
ed entirely to his satisfaction
Meanwhile he had cautiously entered
the shadow of the dueling oaks and.
pistol in hand. was slowly threading
his way down the path. the weapon
cooked and resting across his left fore
arm Thanked on either side by the
giant trees through which fugitive
sunbeams fickered. shooting their
small golden arrows of light into the
dense and rank underground. he found
some difficulty in accurately discern.
ing distant objects. Although the path
was straight. thus obviating any turn
ing Of angles and a consequent sud.
den and unexpected meeting. he could
not see Kirby. and for moment the
fears Of an deliberately planned am
buscade arose In his unworthy mind
Indeed. the setting offered many in
Gucements to one who. like himself.
might entertain such a laudable pur.
pose
These monentary misgivings were.
however, abruptly dispelled. for from
far down the path Kirby's voice sud
denly broke the silence:
Good morning. colonel! la that
you? Are you quite ready? Stand by
Cor I'm coming!'
Moreau instantly turned until he
faced the trees on his right Thus hr
presented the smallest possible surface
70 his advancing foe. Although the
articles Of agreement called for a mu-
.lal and simultaneous advance, he was
ware that It ia easier to fire from
.Xed platform. and he consequently
deliberately halted his left shoulder
brown forward and the pistol level
with his eye. He could now discern
Kirby. who. unmindful Of all tactical
>r strategic advantage. came saunter
ing toward him. the right hand dan
Cling carelessly at his side He was
whistling. hut had Moreau been nenrr'
he would have noted tin sinister I'm.
rrnntng from nose to mouth ana lae
dxity Of purpose In the brooding eyes.
all Of which beIied the CHEEKY carol.
MOreau. standing like rock which
disputed the Others progress. waited
and watched. Once he made a sudden
violent movement in the hope OF
dra wing kirby's fire, but the latter