The Huttig news., 1915-03-06
CHAPTER XII.

a box car, swinging his legs over the side. He was clad in overalls. and in the pockets of his brooches reposed a bulging 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 vaga- bond yearnings 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 free lance.
 As he reflected on these matters a l 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.
 so yer quittin'?" observed the new. comer.
 Spicer nodded
 Coin back thar on Misery?"
 Again Tamarack answered with a jerk of his head.
 Eve been layin' eff ter tell ye some thin. Tam rack"
 Cut her loose"
 ''I laid over in Hixon last week. an some fellers that used ter know my mothers folks took me down in the cellar of Hollmans store. an give me some Ticker"
 What of hit?"
 They was talkin' bout you"
 What did they say?"
 T seen that they was enemies of yours, an they wasn't in no good hu- mor, so, when they axed me of I knowed ye, lowed I didn't know nothin' good about ye. had ter cuss ye 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 thet 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.. be replied.
 Al Hixon Tamareck Spicer stroned along the street toward the court house. He wished to be seen. So long IS it was broad daylight and he dis played no hostility. he knew he was safe--and he had plans.
 Standing before the Hoffman store were Jim Asberry and several com panions. They greeted Tamarack af- fably and he paused to talk.
 "Ridin' over ter Misery?" inquired Asberry.
 Lowed mout as we'll"
 Mind ef rides with ye es fur es Jesse's placer"
 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 hollow, walled with huge rocks, and disappeared into the laurel.
 He began climbing, in a 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 brakeman's delicately attuned ears caught a sound that made him lie flat in the lee of great log. where he was masked in clumps of towering rho-- dodendron. Presently Asberry passedi him, also walking cautiously, but hur- riedly, and cradling Winchester rife in the hollow of his arm. Then Tama- rack knew that Asberry was taking this cut to head him of and waylay him in the gorge mile away by road but short distance only over the hill. Spicer held his heavy revolver cooked in his hand. but it was too near the Purvy house to risk shot. He waited a moment, and then, rising. went on noiselessly with snarling grin. stalk ing the man who was stalking him.
 Asberry found a place at the foot of huge pine where the undergrowth would cloak him. Twenty yards below ran the creek-bed road. returning from its long horseshoe deviation. When he had taken his position his faded butternut clothing matched the earth as inconspicuously as a quail matches dead leaves, and he settled himself to wait. Slowly and with infinite eau tion his intended victim stole down..