Arizona republican., 1911-11-03
Jack Snipe
(By Clarence E. Mulford)


 had performed clearly showed that he
 was possessed of great valor, brilliant
 forethonght and marvellous ingenuity.
 These stories had at first amused his
 acquaintances on the new range, but
 it was not long before they began to
 grow tiresome. The minute any of
 the old habitues of Cowan's attempted
 to tell a story or crack a joke, he
 would coolly cut in and tell one of his own; if a discussion was begun. he took it promptly in hand and usually ended it to suit himself, for the very good reason that there was no one left in the room by that time to lis ten. This emptying of the saloon seri- ously hurt Cowan's trade, and he also noticed that his patrons did not ride in as frequently as they once did. 1 Cowan enjoyed an easy temper, and it took a great deal to arouse him to action, but of late his eyes more and more rested on the Sharps rife lying across two pegs in the wall behind the bar. The egotist always had the last word and regarded his decisions as final in all disputes. He was a won- derful poker player, but never played; marvellous shot, he saved his ammu- milton; he could break broncos better than any man living, but was unable to give any exhibitions because he suffered from a lame back, the result of a terrible hand-to-hand struggle with a huge cinnamon bear, whose hide he had immediately sold for five hundred dollars. At swimming, Cap tain Webb of English Channel fame was a mere child when compared to him, and he was. in fact, paragon and a doer of miracles
 When Bartlett hired him to punch cows for the Double Arrow it was not then known that the greatest of all great men extant was living in the Double Arrow bunkhouse and rubbing elbows at work with Double Arrow punchers; but the fact was proclaimed by the great man himself, before the week was out-not in so crude man. ner as direct statement of fact, but in the more modest and long drawn out method of detailed anecdotes of his prowess. The name he gave was George Murray-before fortnight he was known far and near as Windy of tn Double Arrow; and, if ever name was earned by hard, persistent effort, that was the one. His suffering acquaintances marveled that he still lived-it was remarkable to them that some testy and short-tempered gun man had not cut off his career in the bud. But with it all he really could punch COWS, and if he could not it would not have taken his foreman long to tell him so in plain, unmis- takable English So far no one had been able to pick a quarrel with him, although one or two had tried it when exasperated and disgusted, for his tact was above par; no one could work himself up to the cold-blooded stage necessary before they could shoot.
 Hopalong. Red. Johnny and two more Of the outfit were riding towards Buckskin early one night in the au- tumn to while away the evening in Cowan's, this being their night off. They did not have to run back in their memories very far to remember the time when they one and all had looked forward to such an evening with keen anticipation; but that time had gone The same thought lay heavy on the minds of the five, and as they reached the river trail, half way to their destination, Hopalong tossed away his cigarette and freed his mind.
 Well. reckon Windy'll be hang ing out in Cowan's with all his war paint on," he growled. Its funny how that feller can get away with 1t all like he does" He paused for moment. musing: But he's harm less sort of liar, after all; he don't do nobody any harm-but he's shore th' biggest I ever heard tell of"
 That's so; he just lies to listen to 'em. an he sort of believes em his self after they're cold" remarked Johnny.
 Well, that may be as it is; don't care why he lies, or cuts in when I'm talking, or knows it all" snorted Red. I've been carrying healthy young licking tucked up In my two arms for him, an it's getting purty nigh old enough to cut loose for It. self. If he can lick cinnamon bear with his bare hands, why, then, l can lick about six of 'em, all to once, an I'm going to show him so one Of these days"
 Hopalong laughed: "Oh, there ain't no use getting all riled up about 1t, Red. He shoots blank cartridges an don't hurt nobody
 When they reached Cowan's, half dozen of their friends were amusing themselves in a dilatory way and try ing hard not to listen to W1ndys learned lecture on the Civil war as fought in Arkansas and Missouri py him and General Price. The five new. corners were made welcome, ana Windy and his oration were forgot ten for the moment. When his words intruded again, they were descriptive of a hunting trip after prairie chick ems up in the Dakotas. The conversa- tion easily followed his lead, and final