Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1915-02-26

nous performer will favor We with a
little exhibition of plain an fancy
sock-darnin'."
After the first surprise, Samson had
turned his back on the group. He was
mixing paint at the time and he pro-
ceeded to experiment with fleeting
cloud effect. which would not outlast
the moment. He finished that, and,
reaching for the palette-knife, scraped
his fingers and wiped them on his
trousers legs. Then, he deliberately
rose.
Without word he turned. Tama.
rack had begun his harangue afresh.
The boy tossed back the long lock
from his forehead, and then, with
an Unexpectedly swift movement,
crouched and leaped. His right fist
shot forward to Tamarack spicer's
chattering lips. and they abruptly
ceased to chatter as the teeth were
driven into their flesh. Spicer's head
snapped back. and he staggered against
the onlookers, where he stood rocking
on his unsteady legs. His hand swept
instinctively to the shirt-concealed
holster, but, before it had connected.
both Of Samson's fists were playing a
terrific tattoo on his face. The in.
glorious master of the show dropped,
and lay groggily trying to rise.
The laughter died as suddenly as
Tamarack's speech. Samson stepped
back again, and searched the faces of
the group for any lingering sign of
mirth or criticism. There was none.
Every countenance was sober and ex-
pressionless. but the boy felt weight
of unuttered disapproval, and he glared
defiance. One Of the older onlookers
spoke up reproachfully.
Samson. We hadn't hardly ought ter
a-done that: He was jest a funnin'
with ye."
cit him up on his feet. I've got
somethin' ter say ter him." The boys
voice was dangerously quiet. 1t was
his first word. They lifted the fallen
cousin, whose entertainment had gone
astray, and led him forward grumbling,
threatening and suffering, but evinc.
ing no immediate desire to renew hos
tilities.
"Whar hev We been?" demanded
Samson.
"Thet's my business" came the ia
miliar mountain phrase.
"Why wasn't yer hyar when them
dawgs come by? Why was We the
only South tibet ruined away. when
they was smellin' round fer Jesse
Purvy's assassin"
Il didn't run away" Tamarack's
blood-shot eyes nared wickedly. Il
knowed tibet eft stayed round hyar
with them damned Hollmans stickin'
their noses inter our business. I'd hurt
somebody. So. went over inter the
next county fer q spell. You fellers
mout be able to take things often the
Hollmans. but hain't."
"Thet's damned lie," said Samson.
quietly. "Ye ruined away, an "
ruined In the water 30 them DAVIS
couldn't trail ye-ye done hit because
ye shot them shoots at Jesse Puryy
from the laurel-because ye're . truce
Dustin. murderin' bully thet shoots Of
his face. an is skeered to fight" Sam.
son paused for breath, and went on
with resained calmness. 1--WE moved
all along ye was the man. an I've kept
quiet because ye'rs my kin. II ye're
got anything else ter say. say hit. But.
ef ever ketches yer talkin' about me.
or talkin' ter Sally. I'm a.goin' ter take
70 by the scron Of the neck, an drag
ye plumb into Hixon, an stick ye in
the jailhouse. An I'm a-goin' ter tell
the high sheriff that the souths spits
70 outen their mouths. Take him
away" The crowd turned and lett