Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1916-12-08

conversation where he had left off the
night before.
'This trail splits up ways from
here, an every branch of it leads to a
hole where you'll find men-a few,
mebbe, like yourself-some like me
an gangs of no-good boss thieves,
rustlers an such. It's easy livin', Buck.
l reckon, though, that you'll not find
it easy. You'll never mix in. You'll
be lone wolf. l seen that right off.
Wal, if man can stand the loneliness,
an if he's quick on the draw, mebbe
lone-woltin' is the best. Shore don't
know. But these fellers in here will
be suspicious of q man who goes it
alone. If they get a chance they'll
kill you"
Stevens asked for water several
times. He had forgotten or he did not
want the whisky. His voice grew per-
ceptibly weaker
"Be quiet" said Duane. Talking
uses up your strength"
Jaw, I'll talk till-Tm DONE" he re-
Piled doggedly. "See here, pard, you
can gamble on what I'm tellin' you.
An it'll be useful. From this camp
well-yOu'll meet men right along. An
none of them will be honest men. All
the same, some are better'n others.
I've lived along the river for twelve
years. There's three big gangs of out
| laws. King FiSher-yOu know him, |
| reckon, fer he's half the time livin'
among respectable folks. King is a
good Teller. It'll do to tie up with
him an his gang. Now, there's Chesel-
dine, who hangs out in the Rim Rock
way up the river. He's an outlaw
chief. I never seen him, though !
stayed once right in his camp. Late
pretty we'll hid. But Bland knOwed
Bland fer years. An I haven't any
use fer him. Bland has the biggest
gang. You amt likely to miss strikin'
his place sometime or other. He's got
a regular town, I might say. Shore
there's some gambIin an gun-fghtin'
goin' on in BANDS camp all the time.
Bland has killed some twenty men, an
thets not countin' greasers."
Here Stevens took another drink,
and then rested for a while.
'YOu amt likely to get on with
Bland" he resumed presently. you're
too strappin' big an good-lookin to
please the chief. Fer he's got women
| n hic Thnu hold hn #
your possibilities with a gun. Shore
I reckon he'd be careful, though
BANDS no fool, an he loves his hide
I reckon any of the other gangs would
be better for you when you amt goin
il alone"
Apparently that exhausted the fund
of information and advice Stevens had
been eager to impart. He lapsed into
silence and lay with closed eyes
Meanwhile the sun rose warm; the
breeze waved the mosquitoes; the birds
came down to splash in the shallow
stream; Duane dOZed In a comfortable
seat. BY and by something reused
him. Stevens was once more talking
but with changed tone.
"Feller's name-was Brown" he
rambled. eve fell Out--Over a boss
stole from HMM Huntsville. He
stole it fust. Browns one of them
sneaks-afraid of the open-he steals
an pretends to be honest. Say, Buck
mebbe you'll meet Brown some day
You an me are pards now"
"I'll remember, if I ever meet him,
said Duane.
That seemed to satisfy the outlaw
Presently he tried to lift his head, but
had not the strength. A strange shade
was creeping across the bronzed
rough face.
my feet are pretty heavy. Shore
you got my boots Off"
Duane held them up, but was moi
certain that Stevens could see them
The outlaw closed his eyes again anC
muttered incOherently. Then he fell
asleep. Toward shutdown Stevens
awoke, and his eyes seemed clearer
Duane went to get some fresh water
thinking his comrade would surely
want some. When he returned Stevens
made no sign that he wanted anything
There was something bright about him
and suddenly Duane realized what il
meant.
"Pard, you-stick-to mel" the out
law whispered.
Duane caught a hint Of gladnesf
in the voice; he traced faint surprise
in the haggard face. Stevens seemed
like little child.
Duane buried him in a shallow ar
royo and heaped up a pile of stone,
to mark the grave. That done, HI
. saddled his comrades horse hung the
weapons over the pommel, and, mount
ing his own steed, he rode down the
trail in the gathering twilight.
; CHAPTER w.
Two days later about the middle O.
the forenoon, Duane dragged the tive