The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1915-03-04
CHAPTER XIII.

Tamarack Spicer sat on the top Of
box car, swinging his legs over the
side. He was clad in overalls, and In
the pockets of his breeches reposed
bullying flask of red liquor, and an
unbulging pay envelope. Tamarack
had been "railroading" for several
months this time. He had made
new record for sustained effort and
industry, but now June was beckon-
ing him to the mountains with yaga-
bond warnings for freedom and lei
sure. Many things had invited his soul.
Almost four years had passed since
Samson had left the mountains, and
in four years woman can change her
mind. Sally might, when they met on
the road, greet him once more as kins-
man and agree to forget his faulty
method of courtship. This time he
would be more diplomatic. Yesterday
he had gone to the boss and called
for his time" Today he was paid off,
and a free lance.
AS he reflected on these matters a
fellow-trainman came along the top
of the car and sat down at Tamarack's
side. This brakeman had also been
recruited from the mountains, though
from another section-over toward the
Virginia line.
$50 yer quittin?" observed the new
conner.
; Spicer nodded.
/ Coin back thar on Misery?"
Again Tamarack answered with
jerk of his head.
thin, Tam'rack-"
"Cut her loose"
81 laid over in Hixon last week, an
some fellers that used ter know my
mothers folks took me down in the
cellar Of Hollman's store, an give me
some Ticker"
what of hit?"
"They was talkin' bout you"
What did they say?"
81 seen that they was enemies of
yours, an they wasn't in no good hui
NOR, so, when they axed me eff l
knowed ye, l lowed l didn't know
nothin' good about ye. l had ter cuss
We out, or git in trouble myself"
Tamarack cursed the whole HOLMAN
tribe, and his companion went on:
Jim Asberry was thar. He lowed
they'd found out thet you'd done shot
Purvy tibet time, an he said"-the
brakeman paused to add emphasis to
his conclusion-"thet the next time ye
come home, he lowed ter git ye plumb
shore"
Tamarack scowled.
Much obleeged," he replied.
At Hixon Tamarack Spicer strolled
along the street toward the court
house He wished to be seen. So long
as it was broad daylight and he dis
played no hostility, he knew he was
safe-and he had plans.
Standing before the Holman store
were Jim Asberry and several COM
panions. They greeted Tamarack at
fably and he paused to talk.
"Ridin' over ter Misery?" inquired
Asberry.
"Lowed I mout as we'll"
mind eff 1 rides with We es fur es
Jesses placer"
Plumb glad ter have company"
drawled Tamarack
They chatted of many things, and
Travelled slowly, but, when they came
to those narrows where they could not
ride stirrup to stirrup each jockeyed
for the rear position, and the man who
found himself forced into the lead
turned in his saddle and talked back
over his shoulder, with wary, though
seemingly careless, eyes. Each knew
the other was bent on his murder.
At Purvy's gate Asberry waved fare
well and turned in. Tamarack rode
on, but shortly he hitched his horse
in the concealment of a hollow, walled
with huge rocks, and disappeared into
the laurel
He began climbing, In crouched
position, bringing each foot down
noiselessly and pausing often to listen.
Jim Asberry had not been outwardly
armed when he left Spicer. But, soon,
the brakemans delicately attuned ears
caught sound that made him lie fiat
III the lee Of great log, where he was
Ldodendron Presently Asberry passed
him, also walking cautiously, but hur-
| riedly, and grading Winchester rifle
in the hollow of his arm. Then Tama-
rack knew that Asberry was taking
| this cut to head him off and waylay
him in the gorge mile away by road
but short distance only over the hill.
H Spicer held his heavy revolver cooked
in his hand, but it was too near the
| Purvy house to risk shot He waited
moment, and then, rising, went on
noiselessly with a snarling grin, stalk
4 ing the man who was stalking him.
| Asberry found place at the foot
of huge pine where the underground
would cloak him. Twenty yards below
ran the creek-bed road, returning from
Lifts long horseshoe deviation When