Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-10


Ridley Infatuated, turned his attention to im but the
latter 1.-THE spring steel, of controlled sinew
wrist in mdair, twisted it backward, threw an arm
behind his back, and bent the Infatuated fighter
until he threatened to break him in two.
"Stopi | say stop!" Numbered Jim, without for an
instant relaxing the strain. "You slow down, or you
and will have it out-and there's no guesswork as to
what that means!'
Steadily he stared into Rideys eyes, and the latters
muscles slowly relaxed. Jim released him and stepped
back Hardpan had lifted Frenchy to his feet and
directing him toward the washbasin beside the cabin
door. Of a sudden Hardpan whrled toward Ridley,
and shook fist in the latter's face.
whats the meanin of this here?' he demanded.
al reckon you been pickin the little teller gin,
without payn no attention to what told you That's
SO, amt it?'
Ridley did not answer for moment, and Hardpan,
taking the investigation from his partners lips whred
to the other man. hot and angry. They stood shifting
on their feet excited and dumb. Frenchy had begun
himself and having his bruised face with
loud, snuf1ing noises heard above the spashing of
water
aBil what about thisa' demanded Jim coldly,
frowning at the miner.
a didn't mean no HARM insisted Ridley. al was
just fooln' with him. Then he ups and srnashes me.
What was to doo | hit him back.
Hardpan took three or four steps and halted squarey
in front of Ridley and shook his fist under the miners
nose. al told you the other day there want goin to
be of that stuff in this camp, didn't l! And
you kept pickin and pesterin' that old fellow. By
you! That's what I'd done!' He trembled with rage
and appealed to Jim Il reckon we'd orter fire him,
hadn't we Jim?" he demanded.
But into inns mind the thought of the delay
to the work. the necessity for keeping peace all haz
ards until it completed the possibility of interfer
ence and he hestated. Frenchy, who had been listen
ing, dumped pan of redeemed water outward the
grass-splotched ground, and stepped forward
Excuse me, Hardpan," he said, @but I'm askin' you
favor. I've been with you boys since you came up
here and I've done good work. amt asked no favors
till now, and likely it's the only III ever ask
Hardpan looked at him expectantly. "Wel,' he
asked @what is it now?'
0I+,. H. of +lo
water that drpped from his bruised face and wet head
@ts just this don't want Bill Ridley fired on my &C
count I've got no use for him, and he knows it. He's
got for But I'd feel right cheap and mean if
he given his time because of my account. think
I'd have to go too I'm wantin' to keep to see the
finish of this work. I've had it about much in my
mind as YOU owners have | don't want to 60 And /
want Bill Ridley to be left here till we're through with
it. And, Bill, I'm goin to say this II make child's
bargain. You leave me alone, and Ill leave you alone,
long we're here on this claim
Ridley looked at the smaller man contemptuously,
with a sneerng lip, and said "Humph! You go
plumb to hades as far as I'm concerned but III take
good to leave you alone till this jobs done After
that-wel, then I'll finish what started don't like
you, nohow.'
aiet up on that" admonisted Jim angrily @Do you
want to work here, or don't youo You say yes no
and be quick about it,
@Yes,' said Ridley reluctantly, and giving meaning
glance of vindictveness toward Frenchy. "Il stay till
the works over
@Then there won't be no more brawlin'!" asserted
Hardpan, smashing a fist into palm. @If you two
CANT get along just keep your yawps shut. This is
small mne and it's goin to have peace-even if have
to take hand myself, and I'm some diplomat! Now
go ahead and get ready for the chuck
He turned and walked away, and Jim still annoyed
and angry, followed him back to the cabin.
7 RECKON, Jim" said Hardpan he pulled on his
trousers "that wouldn't have stood that big muckers
CUFF, either. | think if he'd picked the way he
did Frenchy, I'd have called you into the fracas,
bein as I'm peaceable and said, Jim you just nat
urally lick the old devil outen this here Bill Ridley!
Then after that Bild been good that they wouldn't
have had any for him in this here wicked world:
Jim, knowing his partners fiery temper, merely