The Detroit times., 1913-05-13
The Fortunes of the LandravS
tn. c. BIZ Vaughan Kestr Author Sss r T ,ssa

prcDai ..tory 10 slowing 1t away In one
OF the wagons; the others were busy
wcdg.ng up a shrunken wheel.
An instant later Rogers appear
cd on the ridge, but without the
mules; he came running toward them
with his long rifle held in the crook
OF his arm.
I've done it," he cried hoarsely
I've done IT," he repeated. when he
reached them.
| There was silence for a moment. No
man spoke, for each feared to asl,
him what II was that he had done.
Il tell you I've done II, are you
dumb he cried In wild and agonized
appeal, and he looked from one to
the other OF his friends.
What have you done?" Stephen
asked.
I've killed him."
You've killed whom"
"Yonder half-breed. Damn his soul
he'll never get In white mans way
aeain--hell keep his place."
You've murdered him, you mean?
stephen spoke I'm shocked whisper.
1T want murder. Landray, l swear
to God II want! Who says murder
to me. I've always been fair man
who says murder to me?" and his
Wild bloodshot eyes searched the cir
Gle OF white faces. He'd done for
me II | hadn't shot him. He came
down to the hole with his two horses ,
was ahead of him, but be yelled to
me to get out of his way; and when |
told him he'd have to Wait until I'd
A G. MI ofn hn ri nd Tn rid A
down. | didn't lift hand until then. y
Raymond was the first to speak.
u wonder II that don't save me a
hundred and quarter; they certainly
amt entitled to his share, now are
they?" But II they heard him. no one
replied to the deserter, who continued
To regard Rogers with an envious ad-
miration. The eternally condemned
bag of bones, where'd he get the heart
for it," he muttered.
And then savage cry came from
the direction of the water-hole, telling
that the body had been found by
Basil and Baptiste. Stephen turned to
Rogers.
Get In one of the wagons, and lie
still--take Benny with yOu--and. no
matter what happens, stay there!" to
the others he added: Mind, right or
wrong. we are not going to surrender
him to them. That would but make
a bad matter worse"
What's your notion, Steve?" asked
Dushrod briskly. Hadn't we better
look sharp for the half-breed?"
"Yes, but don't be hasty. I'll attend
TO BASIL"
Say, Mr.. Landray, II you'll give me
gun I'll make the shot for you,"
said the deserter ofiiciously. He was
not regarded, but he continued to
loudly lament that he was unarmed.
Rogers had scarcely disappeared in
one Of the wagons when Basil and
Baptiste galloped into camp; they
flung themselves from their horses
and confronted the little group about
Stephen.
Where is he?" Basil shouted, seiz-
ing the latter by the arm Where's
Rogers? You're no kin to me unless
you give him up to u.s."
Basil" said stephen quietly, falling
hack step and freeing himself from
the others clutch, 1T was the result
CT n quarrel, the fight was fair one"
IT'S lie-it was murder" the fur
trader cried h0arse1y. Where is he?"
end he glared about him.
Where you shan't touch him."
"Shant?" he ragged, his black beard
bristling.
No"
'Where've you hidden him."
Never mind. Where you can't find
him.
DO you make this your AFFAIR.""
II won't say that, but It was self
defense. II he hadn't shot the In
dian, the Indian would probably have
shot him."
who says SO? Did you see the
fight? Fight" he laughed aloud.
Fight? 1t was murder. cowardly
murder"
NO. we didn't see the fight" Ste.
phen answered calmly.
"Oh, you take his word, do your
Well, don't" and he started toward
the wagons. Hes In there, and by
God, I'll have him out. and Baptiste
here shall settle with him."
'Dunlevy! Walsh" called Stephen
sharply.
The two men stepped in front OF the
fur trader.
Basil" said Stephen, well inquire
into this when we're all cooler"
Wen settle 1t now!" swore Basil,
with a great oath.
IF he's done wrong he shall be pun
ished; but not by you, not by us; the
Law"
Damn the law! There's only one
law for the plains"
We'll hand him over to the COM
mandant OF the first military post"
Rogers, who heard every word that
was said where he lay in the bed or
one of the wagons, with a barricade
Of boxes about him. smiled grimly at
this.
mo they won't, son." he whispered
to the boy. You and me will sec
California for all OF them"
He reached up over his barricade.
and with his hunting-knife cut slit
In the wagons canvas cover. The slit
was just large enough to accommo-
date the muzzle of his rife.
But now Basil withdrew to his own
camp, taking with him the half-breed
and the deserter. The latter went
with him reluctantly enough, for he
knew the fur trader was In no mood
to tamper with.
The Ave men about the wagons
waited. never relaxing their vigilance.
They expected something would he