The Holly chieftain., 1915-07-16


in you for this,'
He snatched at his gun with his
other hand and the cowboys scattered
a little. The cock stepped back, the
gun flashed out. only to be suddenly
lowered. Jim looked incredulously to-
wards his left arm, which hung 10
longer helplessly by his side. He
swung 1t backwards and forwards, and
broad grin slowly lit up his lean.
brown face. He thrust the gun In his
holster and hello out his hand
Cookie. you're all right" he ex-
claimed. you've done the trick this
time. Say, you're a miracle!"
The cook smiled.
Your arm was just out of joint"
he remarked. 1T was rather hard
pull. but it's all right now.
Jim looked around at the others.
And to think that l might have
killed him!" he exclaimed. Cookie.
you're white boy. You'll do. We're
going to like you here"
Craig watched them ride of. The
bitterness had passed from his face.
Evening came and with it a repett
tion of his labors. When everything
was ready to serve, he stepped from
behind the wagon and looked across
the rolling stretch Of open country.
There was no one in sight. Softly.
almost stealthily, he crept up to the
wagon. fetched out from its wooden
case small violin, sat down with his
back to the wheel and began to play.
Suddenly the bow rested motionless.
A look of fear came into his face. He
sprang up. The cowboys were all
stealing from the other side Of the
wagon. They had arrived and dis
mounted without his hearing them.
He sprang to his feet and began to
stammer apologies. Long Jim's hand
was laid firmly upon his shoulders.
Say, cookie, you don't need to
look so scared. You amt done moth
ing wrong. Me and the boys. we like
your music. Sing us another tune
on that fiddle!"
The cook looked at him for Q mo-
ment incredulously. Then he real
lied that the cowboy was in earnest.
He picked up, the bow and commenced
to play again. They eat around him,
wondering. absolutely absorbed. No
one even made a move towards the
food. 1t was Craig who led them
there at last himself. still playing.
Long Jim threw his arm almost caress-
ingly around his shoulder.
Say, cookie" he began, there amt
never no questions asked concerning
the past history of the men who find
their way out here, just so long as
they don't play the game yellow. May
be you've fitted up nice little hell
for yourself somewhere, but we amt
none of us hankering to know the
address. You're white and you're one
of us and any time any guy wants to
charge you rent for the little hell
where you got the furniture of your
conscience stored. why, you just let
us settle with him. that's all"
The interruption which came was
from outside.
More of these id tourists" Long
Jim muttered. Women. tool"
Craig turned his head slowly. Quest
was in the act of dismounting from
his horse. BY his side was the pro-
fessor; just behind. Lenora and Laura.
Long Jim greeted them with rough
cordiality.
Say, what are you folks looking
for?" he demanded.
Quest pointed to Craig.
1--WE want that man." he announced
This is Inspector French from New
York. l am Sanford Quest"
There was a tense silence. Craig
covered his face with his hands, then
suddenly looked up.
Il won't come" he cried fiercely
You've bounded me all around the
world. am innocent. won't come"
Quest shrugged his shoulders. He
took a step forward, but Long Jim.
as though by accident, sauntered in
the way.
Got a warrant" he asked tersely.
1--WE don't need it," Quest replied.
Hes our man, right enough"
Right this minute he's our cook"
drawled Long Jim, "and we amt ex-
actly particular about going hungry
just to please bunch of strangers.
Cut it short, mister. If you amt got
warrant, you amt got this man."
"All right" Quest agreed. THE in
spector here and will soon see to
that. Well ride back to the town
ship. With your permission, the ladies
and our elderly friend will remain for