Rock Island Argus., 1911-09-27

evening. and the extended absence OF
/ light hearted Harry Barry had been n
matter of comment among his com
rades. His two weeks leave of alb
sence he'd been stretched TO three, ana,
although work was dull at this season.
/ his silence caused vague diSquietude
! among the older men.
The note was addressed to Gabriel,
! and he unfolded it with the careful
! daliheratiou of one who seldom re-
! ceives an epistle He held the torn
/ sheet of paper close to the lamp and
scanned the words with sharp eyes
! that narrowed to mere pin points Of
1 light when he had concluded.
/ IFS from him. he said. with n curt
1 nod toward Harry Barry's empty chair.
They scented trouble in the tone OF
his voice. Gabriel was not given to
emotion, but he had grown attached
to Harry Barry and loved him as a
son.
whats happened?' demanded Jim
! Lewis.
For answer Gabriel tossed the note
across the table. and Jim seized it
eagerly and read aloud:
| Come TO the tnree CottonWcouS anu
bring the boys to celebrate. It's the last
| chance. IL u.
Hardened though they were, the
faces of the four blanched as the mean
| ing Of the words smote them strongly.
! The three tall cottonwoods that stood
near Satan's Gulch marked spot that
was recognized throughout the ada
! cent cattle country as place where
! the swift Justice of the plains was
meted out to offenders.
Without n word the four arose and
reached for their hats. In the same
! grim silence they strode out of the
bunk house. forgetful Of the Mexican
who crouched in the veranda as they
passed.
They were three miles on their way
toward Satans Gulch when the Crane
broke the silence What became of
/ the greaser?" he asked suddenly.
"I forgot him." admitted Gabriel.
Did anybody pay him for the letter."
"You paid him yourself. Gabe. l
saw you flip him four bits" remarked
/ Jim Lewis.
They all grew silent once more.
thinking perhaps Of the merry even
/ ings spent under the star busted sky
or in the shelter of the bunk house
with Harry Barry. the pivotal center
about which good humor swung.
''There's only one thing Harry might
! do" growled Gabriel from the depth
/ of a troubled heart.
And he wouldn't do that unless he
was pushed to wrangle. Harry. he
wasn't one TO force gun play" added
Jim Lewis seriously.
| 'If Harry did drop his man it would
be in a fair fight. and there wouldn't
! be no cause to- The Cranes pause
was significant.
They rode on across the shrivelpd
7 grasses and down dry water COURSES,
heading always for the southeast and
yet ever dreading to glimpse the gaunt
/ outline OF the CottOnwOOdS against the
sky. \ young moon slipped down the
| western spaces. and after awhile there
! was no light save that Of the stars.
! and in the soft radiance they moved
on their way to take advantage OF
their last chance to say farewell TO
Harry Barry.
1t was Gabriels eyes that first saw
the black cottonwoods, and he halted
his horse with sudden Jerk and
stopped the progress of the other men.
Il got something 10 say he NUT
tered hoarselv. we all know that
what's going to happen in the morning
can't be stopped just because Harry
is our friend. Them of us that breaks
the law. whether intentional or other
wise. has TO pay the price. and Harry's
got to take his medicine. But wen all
stand b. MIN till
They nodded silently. but there was
not one of them, Gabriel included, who
did not register mental VOW to at
tempt to free Harry Barry before the
dawn broke.
Almost within the shadow Of the
trees the four halted their horses and
peered into the gloom. jim Lewis
slipped from his saddle and cautious
IL reconnoitered. Presently he came
back and spoke breathlessly.
Hes yonder-alone. white Star is
near at hand"
Leading his own horse and followed
by the others. Jim Lewis cautiously
led the way into the deeper shadows
where Harry Barry was sleeping.
They were somewhat puzzled a the
absence Of his captOrs. but Satan'5
Gulch presented many rocks and Gran
MES that might be preferred TO the
star canopied sky as sleeping quarters,
and probably the condemned man was
bound and helpless.
Presently they discerned the outline
Of a picketed horse and not far away
q dark bundle on the ground that
breathed heavily.
"The young devil" groaned Gabriel
TO misunderstanding like that tOnight"'
In spite Of the silent vow that had
been registered half hour before
Harry Rarry's friends moved as by one
accord 70 accomplish a set purpose.
Quietly enough one unpicketed the
horse white Star and, mounting his |
own beast. led the other. Another !
pulled a blanket from his saddle. and I
the other two assisted IN tossing It
over Harry Barry's head and bodily
carrying that bundle OF mufiied threats