The Ozark spectator., 1916-09-16

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 hoss thieves, rustlers an such. It's easy Twin, Buck. I reckon though, that you'll not find it easy. You'll never mix in. You'll be a lone wolf. I seen that right off. Wal, if man can stand the loneliness, an if he's quick on the draw, mebbe lone wolfin is the best. Shore 1 don't know. But these fellers in here will be suspicious of a man who goes it alone. If they get 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"
 "Aw, I'll talk till-Pm done," he re- piled, dorgedly. "See here, pard, you can gamble on what I'm tellin' you.
 
 we'll-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-.~ou know him, among respectable folks. King is a good feller. 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 l years he's got rich. an keeps back pretty we'll hid. But Bland-I knOwed Bland fer years. An I haven't any use fer him. Bland has the biggest gang. You ain't likely to miss strikin his place sometime or other. He's got a regular town, I might say. Shore there's some gamblin' an gun-fightin goin' on in Bland's camp all the time. Bland has killed some twenty men, an thet's not countin' greasers."
 Here Stevens took another drink, and then rested for while.
 You ain't likely to get on with Bland" he resumed presently. You're too strappn' big an good-lookin' to please the chief. Fer he's got women in his camp. Then he'd be jealous of your possibilities with gun. Shore reckon he'd be careful though. hn iS I reckon any of the other gangs would be better for you when you ain't goin' it 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 comfortable seat. By. and by something reused him. Stevens was once more talking, but with a changed tone.
 "Feller's name-was Brown" he rambled. "We fell Out-Over a hoSs stole from him-in 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'U 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 not certain that Stevens could see them. The outlaw closed his eyes again and muttered incoherently. Then he fell asleep. Toward Sundown 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 it meant.
 "Pard. you-stick--to me" the out law whispered.
 Duane caught hint of gladness in the voice; he traced faint surprise in the haggard face. Stevens seemed like little child.
 Duane buried him in shallow ar royo and heaped up pile of stones to mark the grave. That done, he 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.