The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-06-26

Dt3 6V A.CsFSSlUHO Co
pony would remain quiet. His belt
was buckled outside the army over
coat, and he drew his revolver, tested
It, and slipped 1t back loosely into the
bolster. Then he pulled out the rife
from under the nap Of the saddle,
grimly handling It In his gloved I'm
gers. Hughes, his head sunk into his
fur collar, his hot breath steaming In
the cold atmosphere, watched him
ouriously.
"Lookin' fer q right smart fight, I
reckon" he said. q tribe uneasily. BE
heve me, yer amt goin' ter find tibet
fellar no spring chicken. He's some
on Their gun play"
II hope he knows enough to quit
when he's c~ornered." returned the
other pleasantly, sweeping his Dyes to
the opening in the hills. for I'm aim
ing to to take him back to Kansas
alive"
"The hell ye arel"
that's the plan pardner, and I've
got reason for 1t. I knew lie Fevre
once. years ago, during the war. and
I've been some anxious to get my
hands on him ever since. He's worth
far more to me alive than dead. Just
now, Hughes" his voice hardening.
you'll bear that fact in mind when
the fracas begins. From now on this
is my affair, not yours. You under
standf You get busy with the two
bucks. and leave the white man to me-.
Come on now-dismount."
Hughes came to the ground with
evident reluctance. swearing savagely.
What do yer think I'm yere for"
he demanded roughly. III It want to
shoot that cussf"
Hamlia strobe swiftly over, and
dropped q hkId on the shaggy shout
der.
you are here because I ordered
you to oome with me; because II you
hadn't I would have killed you back
there In the shack, you red-handed
murderer. Now listen. Hughes. I
know what you area cattle thief.
You and lie Fevre belong to the same
outfit. only he was the smarter of the
two. / have spared your life for a
purpose, and II you fail me now I'll
shoot you down as I would a dog.
Don't try to threaten me, you cur, for
I am not that kind. / am not trusting
ysous = hevon.t FROM tina a-ss. 1ur vou
are going into this fight on my side,
and under my orders"
The two men glared into each 9TH
er's eyes, silent, breathing hard. but
there was a grim determination about
the S~ergeant's set jaw that left
Hughes s~peechless. He grinned weak
ly, stamping down the snow under
foot. Hamlin's continued silence
brought a protest to his lips.
Damn II I know why you say that"
he began. Haven't I been sQuare?"
because / know your style, Hughes.
You hate lie Fevre for the dirty trick
he played on you, but you'd sell out to
him again In Eve minutes II you
thought there was any money in 1t. I
don't propose giving you the chance.
You'll go ahead. and you are in more
danger from me than that outfit yon-
der. Now move, and Wen take q look
mp the valley"
They ploughed q way through the
drifts to the mouth of the narrow
opening between the hills. dropping to
their knees In the snow, and cautious
~ creeping forward the last few
yards. Hamfir. convinced that fear
alone could control the ex-oowthief.
kept slightly to the real.
Nov wait. Hughes" he said, his
voice lowered but still tense with
command. BE careful, man. Crawl
up there In between those drifts, and
look over. Keep down low, you fool"
The two men wriggled slowly for
ward. smothered in the snowdrift, un-
til Hughes eyes barely topped the
surface. Hamlin lay o~utstretched q
foot below. watching for the slightest
sign Of treachery. The cowman stared
up the depression, blinking his eyes
In the snow glare. The impatient
Sergeant gripped his arm.
We'll. what Il 1T Are they com
ingf"
You bet, an about dead. from the
looks Of 'em. Them fellars amt look.
In far nuthin,. / reckon I could stand
up straight yere an they'd never see
me. Take . look yerself: its safe
'nough."
Hamlin drew himself up. and peered
out over the snow. but stil gripped
the others arm With his nrst glance
mp the valley thsre swept over him Q
strange feeling Of sympathy for those
he was hunting. It was q dismal, do.
pressing ~picture-the bare. snow-oov'
cred hillsides. and between, founder
Ing weakly through the drifts. the liz,
tie party Of fugitives, the emaciated
ponies staggering with weakness. the
men on foot, reeling a. they tramped
forward. their heads lowered In utter
WEAKNESS. The girl alone was In sad
die, 70 wrapped about in blankets a.
to be formless. even her face con
cealed. The manner In which she
swayed to the movement Of the pony
urged on by one Of the Indians. wal
evidence that she was bound fast, and
helpless. At sight Of her condition
Hamlin felt his old relentless purpose