The evening world., 1912-01-16
CHAPTER II.
tContinuei.)
The Trail of the Serpent.

- on night duty: II reckon
it's his eyes that make mo feel Ike an
iceberg drif,in' In n polar sea Theres
somethan' swimmin' deep In 'em-llke he
vas nggerln' weeks ahead OF time. 1
reckon he amt exactly spring
chicken
Perhaps II was this sentiment that
sent him. tho following day. miles out
Of his way 90 Tobsn's cabin, where he
dropped a word OF caution into tho
n~estcr's ear.
"Toban's got a wife an Kid that's got
TO-. be thought Of" he admitted comb
deptially to hts friend that same night.
1--WE amt got no objections 10 the OF
| Man runnin' the Bar Cross TO suit his
self. but I reckon that hid needs his
father worse'n tho or Mar needs
T'oban's stscrs.''
Upon day two weeks from tho one
when Montana Ind Joined tho ontnt he
encountered tho range boss riding ~
from tho herd. II was In tho early
morning and Montana was on his why
out for day duty. The yange boss was
alone. and Montana pulled his pony TO
"a halt when within a hundred yards or
him. sitting carelessly In his saddle as
the other SLOWLY uppToucHci'
Il saw some strays workin' their way
down tho creek yesterday" ho said as
the range boss came within hearing; II
reckon III round them up to-day"
"workin' DOWN. unused tho range
boss. why. then they was goin' to-
ward shallow Bend! Toban'l round
them up an start them back. He AL
ways does"
II reckon we won't take any chances
on Toban sendin' them back said Mon.
tana with sinister stcadiness. I'll reckon
To know where that place Is m III )ust
drop down there an get item"
The range boss meditatcd. hts face
slowly whitening. ON the Bar Cross
range his word was law. but something
OF tho reputation Of this man had
reached his ears and no accorded him
that wholesome respect-whlch amounts
to awe-thdt men sometimes feel when
In the presence OF Il man who holds life
cheaply, ~
Some OF tho boys say that you've
come over to the Bar Cross Just to start
a row with 1'oban." he said gravely.
II don't know whether that's right or
not. II 1T II. ! think you ought "a know
that the boys won't stand for no dirty
work. Toban's got "A wife an a. Kid.
an Some OF tho boys have cpttoned up
to the KID wonderful. II you're goin'
down to Shallow Bend to look for strays
all well an good. But II you're goin'
d wn there to look up Toban you want
to be sure an have. q mighty. good ex-
cusc."
Montana still sat oarslessly in his
saddls-one log thrown over tho POM
mel. He shifted just q little as tho
.Ange boss ceased speaking-enough
80 tina he might look squarely at him.
II 20 been In these here parts quite a
Ions time he said his eyes co,d and
alert, IAN I've found that when a
mans m!ndin' his own business he
Amt runnia' any risk to speak Of"
"Meanin'?' said the range boss. his
lips Tightening.
"Meanin' wha rye Just slid re-
turned Montana. his right hand on tho
pommel OF tho saddle Just above ais
pistol butt, Il amt ask.n' for your
advice Hs laughed coldly,
"Ir you was | reckon Ia tell you
that while ] hear that you're some
handy with a gun. n you meet up with
Toban yOu'll ma that no amt exactly
no tenderfoOt"
The range boss was very careful 20
keep his own hands at a respectful
distance from his gun belt
Thank you" Montana SMILED sheer
ingly a. he drew his leg back over the
INIIAlA'A ~ W HhAFA' 49," N|'F tN |
pony's tanks with the tips OF his spurs,
Il reckon I'll be- looAIn' Tor them
strlys.'
While he affected chrelessness, he
watched the range boss warliY Until he
had covered some little distance. Th"n.
urging hts pony Into a slow cautcr, he
wa N toward the big basin where the
herd vts feeding.
At 10 o'clock the cattle vera slowly
wording their way down the hpsin to-
ward the Pursatory River. Two or
thr.s Of the day men were scattered
along he edge Of the bIslu-MOntlua
could see them from where no sat In his
saddle. could near their voices as they
sang sentimental llttl,s into the ears
Of their charges, lie drew away from
them, riding s.pwly so that his de-
partuIe might not be noticed.
Al some lttlo distance he rode through
a draw and presently was out OF sight
behind u sand dune, He kept the dune
between him and the men until he
reached r. base Of = hill that 'l0''d !