The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-04-27
CHAPTER v.
SHEEP AND MEN.

It had happened again, and not a
man on Workings outfit but took II as
q personal challenge and affront.
ktlratn, Buck, Brannon. and Others
riding out one morning before the sun
was well up, had seen the choicest bit
of pasturage of the nearer ranges Of
the Loop just beyond the home enclos-
ures white with the detested forms of
thousands of Cardross' sheep, and the
land denuded in one night Of more
grass than their own cattle would have
consumed in many.
Now wouldn't that make the pages
of your bible shrivel, Kilrain?" de-
manded the younger man. What self
respectin' long'orn is ever goin to be
willin' to Craze on that pisored land /?
Look at them sanctimonious punches
of wool reproVin' us for bein' here with
them church like eyes Of theirn! Let
me find ram what's got some spunk
in him!"
I'm goin' to put q stop to this thing.
Cardoss g been warned over an over
again. I'm goin to take a big bunch
of them sheep up to the corral, an If
he wants 'em he can pay ransom for
'em. Cut out a good thick bunch,
boys"
They did it with will, carrying the
bleating flock back to the corrals, while
others Of the men drove the larger
number over to the Raccoon river
ranges from which they had strayed-
strayed or been driven, for the ques-
ton was an open one.
Cardoss had done many things of
late to justify the suspicion.
IT'S funny bout meanness in a man,
amt 1t, Buck?" said Kilrain, while they
waited for the return OF the men who
had driven off the sheep to their own
pasturage. IT'S just like the DISPOSE
ton of a bull. The most innocent
yearlin' will make the worst 3-year- ole,
an then keep on gittin' uglier an GUS
seder for every new ring roun' his
horns. Now who'd ha' thought Blass
Cardross would ever turn so pesky"'
The smile left Bucks face. He had
his own reasons for being disturbed
over Cardross' ugliness.
"Is you watchin' him careful, Kill
rain?" he asked. He hesitated. Il
think you got special cause to, Mar
tin," he added, slowly.
Kilrain glanced up, a keen scrutiny
in his regard.
Il know what you mean, Buck" he
answered, with grave concern, but l
think Jess can take care Of herself"
The younger man looked over the
level plains, his eyes coming slowly
back to Kilrain's face. Something
grim in the seriousness that was upon
him had dashed the usual boyshness
from his bearing.
Martin" he said, '1f he played her
false-or even If I was sure that he
meant tod kill him sure as hell
holds fire"
Kilrain paled. There was an omin-
Gus suggestion in Bucks tense words
which threw a baleful color over the
other mans unsettled doubts that &C
tually weakened him for the moment.
He threw off the feeling by an effort.
II want you to ride over to him now,
Buck" he said, AN tell him bout
them sheep. Let him know sent you,
hear-not Worthing. Can trust you,
Buck? Just a cold business PROPOSE
tion-no hot feelin's."
Sure" said Buck, Frightening.
You just soak him hard, Kilrain, an
I'll tell him soft-soft al an April
shower an as penetrating. What'll
1t be?"
Market value" returned Kilrain.
Them sheep is ours. Leastways, he
don't git 'em on any other terms"
But when Buck delivered his mes
sage to Blass Cardross, the owner of
the Raccoon River ranch flew into a
rage.
Ransom to HE'LL" he cried. sc