The Parma herald., 1916-10-26
CHAPTER III-continued.


"Buck, as we're lookfn' fer grub, an
not trouble, reckon you'd better hang |
up out here" Stevens was saying, as I
he mounted. "You see, towns an sher-
ifs an rangers are always lookin' fer
new fellers gone bad They sort Of
forget most of the old boys, except
those as are plumb bad. Now, nobody
in Mercer will take notice Of me.
Reckon there's been a thousand men
run into the river country to become
outlaws since yours truly. You jest
wait here an be ready to ride hard.
Mebbe my besettin' sin will go ope-
ratin' In spite of my good intentions.
In which case there'u be-"
His pause was significant. He
grinned, and his brown eyes danced
with a kind of wild humor.
Stevens, have you got any money!
asked Duane.
Money! exclaimed Luke blankly.
"Say, 1 haven't owned a two-bit piece
since-wal, fer some time"
"Tll furnish money for grub" re-
turned Duane. "And for whisky, too,
providing you hurry back herewith
out making trouble"
"Shore you're a downright good
pard." declared Stevens. in admiration,
as he took the money. 81 give my
word, Buck. an I'm here to say never
broke 1t ,et Lay low, an look fer
me back quick"
With that he spurred his horse and
-odo o,.t ~ fba r,,aSonftou fora rd thq
town. At that distance. about quar-
ter of mile Mercer appeared to be
a cluster of low adobe houses set In
a grove of cottonwoods. Pastures of
alfalfa were dotted by horses and
cattle. Duane saw a sheep herder
driving in q meager flock
Presently Stevens rode out of sight
into the town. Duane waited, hoping
the outlaw would make good his word.
Probably not quarter Of an hour had
elapsed when Duane heard the clear
reports of Winchester rifle, the clat-
ter of rapid hoofbeats. and yells un-
mistakably the kind to mean danger
for man like Stevens. Duane
mounted and rode to the edge of the
mesquites.
He saw a cloud of dust down the
road and a bay horse running fast
Stevens apparently had not been
wounded by any of the shots, for he
had a steady seat in his saddle, and
his riding. even at that moment
struck Duane as admirable. He car
ried large pack over the pommel, and
he kept looking back. The shots had
ceased, but the yells increased. Duane
saw several men running and waving
their arms. Then he spurred his horse
and got into a swift stride, so Stevens
would not pass him. Presently the
outlaw caught up with him. Steven:
was grinning. but there was now nc
fun in the dancing eyes. 1t was devi
that danced in them. His face seemed
a shade paler.
"Was jest comm out of the store.
yelled Stevens. run plumb into ,
rancher-who knowed me. He opcneS
UP with rifle. Think they'll chas'
u.s."
They covered several miles befor'
there were any signs of pursuit, an'
when horsemen did move into sigh
out of the cottonwoods Duane and hi
companion steadily drew farther away
mo hosses in that bunch to worr.
u.s." called out Stevens.
Duane had the same conviction. AM
he did not look back again. He rod
somewhat to the fore, and was cor
stantly aware of the rapid thuddin
of hoofs behind, as Stevens kept clos
TO him. AT sunset they reached tn
willow brakes and the river. Duane
horse was winded and lashed wit
sweat and lather. 1t was not unit
the crossing had been accomplishe
that Duane halted to rest his anima
Stevens was riding up the low, sand
bank. He reeled In the saddle. Wit
an exclamation of surprise. Duan
leaped off and ran to the outlaws sid,
Stevens was pale. and his face Dor
beads of sweat. The whole front {
his shirt was soaked with blood.
you're shotl" cried Diane.
"Wal. who said l wasn't? Would 70
mind givin' me a lift-on this her
packT
Duane lifted the heavy pack dow
and then helped Stevens to dismoun
The outlaw had bloody foam on hi
lips, and he was splitting blood.
"Oh. why didn't you say sol" erie
Duane. II never thought You SCENE
all right"
"wal. Luke Stevens may be as gabb
as an old woman. but sometimes
doesn't say anythin'. 1t wouldn't haS
done no good"
Duane bade him sit down, remove
his shirt, and washed the blood fro
his breast and back. Stevens had bee
shot in the breast, fairly low dow
and the bullet had gone clear throue
him. His ride, holding himself an
that heavy pack in the saddle, hf
been feat little short of maryelou