The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-06-29

EMO offense, Bill" said Jasper placid-
! ly, without moving.
Bill grunted and forgot Jasper. But
he seemed restless and dissatisfied.
Duane knew him to be al inveterate
gambler. And, as Benson's place was
out OF running order, Black was IKE
n fish on dry land.
FWal. II youall are afraid of the
cards, what will you bet on?" ne asked,
In disgust.
peg fer two bits" replied one.
Black eagerly accepted. Betting 10
him was q serious matter Tne
game obsessed him, not the stakes. he
entered into the mumbly peg contest
with a thoughtful mien and corded
brow. He won. other comrades tried
their luck with him and lost; F1naILM,
of two-bit pieces or their desire for that
particular game, he offered TO get on
%She the turtle-dove there?" he said,
pointing. 'Pll bet he'll scare at one
stone o. he won't. Five pesos he'll ny
or he 1T fly when some one cnuck'
stone. Who'll take me up?'
That appeared to be more than the
gambling spirit of several outlaws could
"That tibet Easy money" said one.
who's goin to chuck the stoneE
asked another.
Anybody" replied Bill.
with one stone" said the first outlaw.
Were in on tibet, Jim to fire the
darnick," chirned in the others.
The money was put up, the stone
thrown. The turtle-dove took flight. 10
the great Joy OF all the outlaws except
Bill. .
"Tn bet you-all he'll come back to
kk,at froa inoida of five TnfnnitS-o he Of
fered, imperturbably.
Hereupon the outlaws did not show
any laziness In their alacrity 10 cover
Bills money as Ii lay on the grass
Somebody had a watch, and they all sat
down, dividing attention between the
timepiece and the tree. The minutes
dragged by to the accompaniment OF
various jocular remarks anent fool
and his money. When four and three
quarter minutes had passed q turtle
dove alighted In the cottonwood. Then
ensued an impressive silence while BIZ
calmly pocketed the so dollars.
But 1t hain't the same dove!" ex-
claimed one outlaw, excitedly. This
N Is smaller, dustier, not so purple.
Bill eyed the speaker loftily.
wal, you'll have to ketch the other
one to prove tibet. Sabe, pard? Now
I'll bet any gent heah the SO won tibet
I can scare tibet dove with one stone"
NO one OILoTeQ 10 Jake WdBCA. Fl.
wall, then. I'll bet any OF you even
money tibet you can't scare him with
one stone" ...
Not proof against this chance, the
outlaws made up purse, In no wise
disconnected by Bills contemptuous al
lusions to their banding together. The
stone was thrown. The dove did not
fly. Thereafter, In regard to that bird,
Bill was unable to coax or scorn his
comrades into any kind OF wager.
He tried them with q multiplicity OF
offers, and in vain. Then he appeared
at a loss for some unusual and seduc-
tive wager. Presently a little ragged
Mexican boy came along the river trail
particularly starved and poor-look-
ing little fellow. Bill called to him and
gave him a handful OF silver coins.
Speeches., dazed, he went his way
hugging the money.
'Tll bet he drops some before he gifts
to the road" declared Bill. I'll bet he
runs. Hurry, you four-flush gamblers"
Bill failed to interest any OF his COM
panions, and forthwith became sullen
and silent. Strangely his good humor
departed in spite OF the fact that he
had won considerable.
Duane, watching the disgruntled out
law, marveled at him and wondered
what was In his mind. These men were
more variable than children, as un-
mite.
Bill, I'll bet you ten you can't spill
whatever's in the bucket tibet poems
packin'," said the outlaw called Jim.
Blacks head came up with the action
OF a hawk about to swoop.
Duane glanced from Black to the
road, where he saw a crippled peon
carrying tin bucket toward the river.
This peon was a half-witted Indian who
lived In a shack and did odd jobs for
the Mexicans. Duane had met him
often. ....
Jim, I'll take you up" replied Black.
Something, perhaps a harshness in
his voice, caused Duane to whirl. He
caught a leaping CLEAN in the outlaws
eye.
Jaw, Bill, thet's too fur a shot," said
Jasper, as Black rested an elbow on
his knee and sighted over the long,
heavy Colt. The distance to the peon
was about 30 PAGES, too far for even
the most expert shot to hit a moving
object 80 small as q bucket. ..
Duane, marvelously keen in the align
ment of sights was positive that Black
held too high. Another look At the hard
face, now tense and dark with blood,
confirmed Duane's suspicion that the
outlaw was not aiming at the bucket
at all. Duane leaped and struck the
leveled gun out OF his hand. Another
outlaw picked it up. b.
Black fell back astounded. Deprived
Of his weapon, he did not seem tho
same man, or else he was cowed by
Duane's significant and formidable
front. Sullenly he turned away with
out even asking for his gun. ..f.