The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-11-11
CHAPTER XVIII.
Tho Riders.

throp, Overland Red took cour-
age. He felt that he himself
was holding Collie's life from
linking. His huge optimism would
BOT admit that his friend could die.
He was leaning back against a rock
hear the notch and gazing at the slant
ing moonlight that spread across the
omber canyon walls. A week had
Zone sinc6 be mailed his letter to
Brand williams OF the Moonstone, and
Collie was still alive.
5lowly a SHIFT OF moonlight drew
wn toward the notch. silvering Its
eyed edges. Lower the light slid
III IL revealed the opening and In II
figure OF a horseman. In the white
hit Overland could see the qulrt dan
ng from the others wrist The
-seman's wide belt glittered.
Brandt called Overland Red softly.
d opposite wall took up the name
itatingly and tossed IL back.
Brandt whispered the echoes that
ted 10 the darkened corners OF the
and were lost I'm voiceless muir
ings.
lrand your own stock" came the
yer. low and distinct
lterland laughed. 1t was their old
ims pun upon the foreman's name.
ie cot TO his feet and approached.
II does me good" he said. extending
Is hand.
How Is Collier" asked Williams, dis
counting.
Overland hcavcd n great sigh. Hes
oatln' somewhere between here and
be far shore. Iebby he's trysn' to
ull through The doc says The kS
pnt seem 10 care uuethcr he does or
b. Did the little rose girl-tell you
hything toto say TO hlmT
when | was leavin' she come out
the gate" said Williams. "She
dn't say much She only hands me
IS and kind of whispered: Give him
this lie will understand.
And Williams drew n small gray
gauntlet from his shirt. Overland took
| the glove and tucked II In his pocket.
Anything doingT asked Williams
"Nopc. They're overdue TO Jump US
shootln' Collie was any sign
like old times" said Williams.
Like old times" echoed Overland
No trouble indin' your way acrossT
Easy Followed them automobile
racks clear TO the range. We fed up
AZ the town. The boys gets hnd OF
yfestless"-
"Boysl Amt you aloneT
, should say notr' replied Williams
dlsgustedly. IL wish was. / got
four pigeon toed. bowlegged. bat cared
|Moonstoners down In that meadow
lust itchin mad 20 cut loose. And
they amt sayin' a word. which Is sus.
|picious. worryin across the old dry
Apot the last three days has kind OF
ct 'em up. And then hearin' about
ollie"--
How'd you come 10 have so much
omI1'nyT queried Overland.
III was plumb fool enough 20 read
hat letter OF yours 10 'em. They all
Ike Collie first rate, better than ! cal.
ulhltu vi. uc bVno lhhh1d AuAAOy W
nm, but he had TO let 'eni come. He
Ia everything he could TO hold 'em.
nowin' what was I'm the wind"
and they quiti'
"Quit2 Every red eyed bat OF EN-
nd and Pars and Billy and MieM.
old the boss they quit because, mo
elm foreman. they would do as says,
ut II they quit wasn't their foreman
ny longer, and they would do rs they
nm please. They had the nerve ~
lll me that could como along II I
I'm wishful."
" Overland nodded. well, Brand. I
hess I'll step down and look 'em
yer"
hinged round their little Gre IN the
cadow hat or lay the Moonstone rid
y. While crossing the desert Will
= ans bad sketched a few OF the red
Disodcs I'm Overland's early career.
hese pleased the riders nightly.
hey were anxious 20 meet Red Jack
nmniers. When williams did intro
80 were rather silent. ask.
'yllables. They