Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-06-08

horse. He had quick, dancing brown
eyes. at once rank and bold, and a
coarse, bronze face. Evidently he was a
good natured ruffian.
duane acknowledged the truth of the
assertion, n turned over in his mind
now shreWdly the fellow had guessed
MN to be a hunted man.
My names Luke Stevens, an I hail
from the river. Who're your" said this
stranger.
uan was silent.
i reckon you're Buck Duane" went
on Stevens. II heerd you was a damn
paG mar with a gun"
Ih1s time Duane laughed, not at the
doubtful compliment, but at the idea
that the first outlaw he met should
know him.. Here vas proof Of how
swiftly facts about gun play travelled
on the Texas border.
Wal, Buck" said Stevens, in a
friendly manner, 81 amt presumin' on
your time or company. 1 see you're
headin' fer the river. But will YOU ston
long enough to stake a Teller to a bite
Of grub" ~
I'm out OF grub, and pretty hungry
myself" admitted Duane.
Been pushtn' your boss. I see. Well,
reckon you'd better stock up before
you hit tibet stretch of country"
He made a wide sweep of his right
arm, indicating the southwest, and
there was that in his action which
seemed significant Of a vast and bar
rem region.
fully.
Shore. A Teller has lest got to eat
l can rustic along without whisky. hut
not without grub. Thet's what makes
II so embarrassin' ~travelin' these parts
dodg1n' your shadow. Now, I'm on nv
way to Mercer. It's a little two-bit
town up the river a ways. I'm goin'
TO pack out some grub"
tone was inviting. Evidently
ne Woul welcome Duane's companion
snip, but he did not openly say SO.
Duane kept silence, however, and then
Stevens went on. "
stranger. In this here country two's
a croWd. It's safer. never was much
on this lone-wolf dodgin', though Tvn
zone 1t OF necessity. 1t takes a damn
OF Ilme. Why, I've been tibet sick l
was jest achin' fer some ranger to
come along and plug me. Give me a
pardner n day. Now, mebbe you're
not thet kind Of a Teller, an I'm shore
not presumin' to ask. But I Jest de-
ciares myself sufficient"
You mean you'd like me to go with
you?" asked Duane.
stevens grinned. wal, I should smile.
70 be particular proud to be braced
"itn q man Of your reputation"
g mere, my good fellow, that's all
nonsense" declared Duane. in some
haste, III
Shore, 1 think modesty becomin. ~
a youngster," replied Stevens. II hate
70 Drag. An I've no use fer these four
.lush cowboys tibet are always lookin'
Ter rouble an talkin' gun play. Buck.
l dont know much about you. But ev-
cry man who's lived along the Texas
porder remembers a lot about your dad.
II was expected Of you, I reckon, am
much of your rep was established he
lore you throwed your gun. I jest heerd
tnet You was lightnin' on the draw. an
When you cut loose with a gun why the
1lgger on the ace OF spades would cover
your cluster of bullet holes. Thet's
me word thet's gone down the border.
fly far an swift ahead of a man in This
country. An the safest, too; I'll gam
pie on tnet. It's the land Of the draw.
see now you're only a boy. though
you're shore strappin' husky one. Now.
BUCK, I'm not a spring chicken. an I've
oeen u on the dodge. Mebbc a little
or my society Won't hurt you none,
You'll need to learn the country"
There was something sincere and lik-
able about this outlaw.
u dare say you're right" replied Du-
ane, quietly. and I'll 60 to Mercer
with you"
Next moment he was riding down the
road with Stevens. Duane had
been much of a talker, and now he
found speech difficult. But his COM
panion did not seem to mind that. He
was a %jocose. voluble fellow, probably
glad now to hear the sound Of his own
voice. Duane listened, and sometimes
he thought with a pans Of the distinc-
ton OF name n heritage of blood his
father had left to him.