The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1913-11-29
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1.-THE Man With Nerve.


topped the summit of the last swell of land and
oped his animal down into the single street of Perez
The buildings either side were flat rooted and
coated with plaster. Over the sidewalks extended
wooden awnings, beneath which opened very wide
doors into the GOODNESS of saloons. Each of these
places bar, and also games of roulette faro.
craps and stud poker
The day was already hot with the dry, breathless,
but exharating heat of the desert. throng of men
ldl1ng at the edge of the sidewalks jostng up and
down their center, eddying into the places of
amusement, acknowledging the power of summer by
loosenlng their collars and carrying their coats on
their arms They were yet busily engaged in rec
|Ogn1zlng acquaintance. Later they would drink
freely and gamble and perhaps fight
AS the rider entered street, however, more
definite of excitement drew the loose pOpula-
ton toward the center of the road. Immediately
their blotted out what had interested them
The stranger had pushed his horse resolutely to
the outer edge of the crowd where from his point of
vantage, he could easily overlook their heads. He
was quiet-appearing young fellow, rather neatly
dressed In the border costume, rode "center-fr
or single clnch saddle, and wore chaps He was
what is known as "two-gun man, that is to say,
he wore heavy Colt s revolver either hip. The
fact that the lower ends of his holsters were tied
down In order to facilitate the easy withdrawal of
the revovers seemed to indicate that he expected to
use them. He had furthermore, a quiet gray eye
with the hint of steel that bore out the inference of
the tied holsters.
He the heads of the bystanders tall,
muscular, wild-eyed man, hatless, his hair rlmped
into staring confusion his right sleeve rolled to his
shoulder, wicked-looking nine-inch knife in his
hand, and red bandana handkerchief hanging by
one corner from his teeth. What's biting the ocoed
lstranger? the young man inquired of his neighbor
The other frOwned at him darkly.
Dares any one to take the other end of that hand
kerchef in his teeth and fight it out without letting
lgO
'Why don It you take him up?' inquired the young
man after moment.
81 oh
|go your little old gun fight to finish, but I don't
want any cold steel in mine. Ugh! it gives the
Ishivers. It's reg lar Mexican trick! With gun
down and OUT but this knife work is too slow and
lsearchin'."
The newcomer said nothing, but fixed his eye
|again on the raging man with the knife. Don't
you reckon he's bluffing?" he inquired.
"Not any!' denied the other with emphasis. He s
jest drunk enough to be crazy mad and reckless.
The newcomer shrugged his shoulders and cast his
glance searchngly over the fringe of the crowd 1t
Irested on Mexican.
eli Tony come here he called.
The Mexican approached, flashing his white teeth.
"Here" said the stranger, 'slend me your knife a
minute
He hung his coat on his saddle shouldered his way
Through the press which parted for him readily and
picked up the other corner Of the handkerchief Now
you NANCY son of gun!' he said.
/ III-The Agreement
| Jed Parker Strengthened his back, rolled up the
bandanna handkerchief and thrust it into his pocket
Init flat with his hand the toused mass OF his hair
and thrust the long hunting knife into its sheath
lssYou' re the man want, - said he
Instantly the two-gun man had jerked loose his
weapons and was covering the foreman.
| Gam I!'' he snarled.
| "Not lust that way explained Parker. My gun
lis on my hoss and you have this old toad stcker
lif YOU want it. been looking for you and took this
way of finding you. Now let's go and talk
The stranger looked him in the eye for nearly
half minute without lowering his revolvers
ssI 90 you,'' said he briefly at last.
ssI'm looking for man with nerve" explained
Parker with equal succinctness. You're the man.
| "Well9'' 49,,
/ The strangers eyes narrowed.
| ssProceed, said he
aI,m foreman Of the Lazy Of Soda Springs val
lev range explained Parker. I'm looking Tor