The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-09-29

fies me. Luke he'd a mortal dread OF
dyin' with his boots on"
At this sally the chief and his men
laughed.
"You said Duane-Buck Duane?"
queried Bland. "Are you a son of that
Duane who was a gun-fghter some
years back?"
eyes," replied Duane.
"Never met him, and glad I didn't, +"
said Bland, with grim humor. $50
you got in trouble and had to go on
the dodge? What kind of trouble?"
Had q fight"
"Fight? Do you mean gun-play?'
questioned Bland. He seemed eager,
curious, speculative.
eyes. 1t ended in gun-play. I'm
sorry to say" answered Duane.
"Guess I needn't ask the son of
Duane if he killed his man." went on
Bland, ironically. "Well, I'm sorry
you bucked against trouble in my
camp. But, as it is, guess you'd be
wise to make yourself scarce"
"Do you mean I'm politely told to
move on?" asked Duane, quietly.
"Not exactly that" said Bland, as If
irritated. eff this isn't free place
there isn't one on earth. Every man is
equal here. Do you want to join my
band?"
''NO, don't"
'Well, even if you did, I imagine that
wouldn't stop Bosomer. He's an ugly
fellow. Merely for your own sake, l
advise you to hit the trail"
Thanks. But if that's all, I'll stay"
returned Duane. Even as he spoke he
felt that he did not know himself.
Bosomer appeared at the door, push
ing men who tried to detain him, and
as he jumped clear of last reaching
hand, he uttered snarl like an angry
dog. Bland and the other outlaws
quickly moved aside, letting Duane
stand alone. When Bosomer saw
Duane standing motionless and watch
full, strange change passed quickly
in him.
Duane saw all the swift action, felt
intuitively the meaning of it, and in
Bosomer's sudden change of front. The
outlaw was keen, and he had expected
shrinking, or at least frightened an
tagonist. Duane knew he was nei-
Their. He felt like iron, and yet thrill
after thrill ran through him. The out
law had come out to kill him. And
now, though somewhat checked by the
stand of stranger, he still meant to
kill. But he did not speak a word.
He remained motionless for long mo-
ment. his eyes pale and steady, his
right hand like claw.
That instant gave Duane power to
read in his enemy's eyes the thought
that preceded action. But Duane did
not want to kill another man. Still,
he would have to fight, and he decided
to cripple Bosomer. When Bosomer's
hand moved Duane's gun was spout
ing fire. Two shots only-both from
Duane's gun-and the outlaw fell with
his right arm shattered. Bosomer |
cursed harshly, and f1oundered in the |
dust, trying to reach the gun with his |
left hand. His comrades, however, |
seeing that Duane would not kill I'M |
less forced, closed in upon Bosomer |
md prevented any further madness on |
MS part.
OF the outlaws present Euchre ap- |
Deared to be the one most inclined |
% lend friendliness to curiosity; and |
he led Duane and the horses away to
| small adobe shack. He tied the
lorses in an open shed and removed
heir saddles. Then, gathering up Ste
ems weapons, he invited his visitor
o enter the house.
1t had two rooms-windows without
.overings-bare floors. One room con-
aimed blankets, weapons, saddles and
'ridles; the other stone fireplace,
ude table and bench, two hunks, a
OK cupboard, and various blackened
tensils.
make yourself to home as long as
ou want to stay" said Euchre. 81
int rich in this worlds goods, but
wn what's here, an you're welcome"
"Thanks. I'll stay awhile and rest. :
m pretty well played out" replied
,uane.
Euchre gave him a keen glance.
$50 ahead an rest. I'll take your
orses to grass"
Euchre left Duane alone in the
ouse. Duane relaxed then, and me-
hanically he wiped the sweat from I
is face. He was laboring under some I
ind of spell or shock which did not O
ass off quickly. When it had worn I
way he took off his coat and belt and e
ade himself comfortable on the blan- t
cts. And he had a thought that, if v
e rested or slept, what difference q
ould it make on tie morrow? No
st, no sleep could change the gray L
ltlook of the future. lie felt glad t
hen Euchre came bustling in, and for e
e first time he took notice of the out
W. "
Euchre was old in years. What
tie hair he had was gray, his face
can shaven and full of wrinkles; his II
es were half shut from long gazing =.
rough the sun and dust. lie stopped. .
IT his thin face denoted strength 4
81, x