The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1916-10-12

"There's where you're dead wrong -
rejoined Longstreth, emphatically. Il
imagined that once, not long ago. I
was bull-headed. Who would ever
connect Granger Lengstreth with a
rustler gang? I've changed my mind.
I've begun to think. I've reasoned
out things. We're crooked, and we
can't last. It's the nature of life, even
here, for conditions to grow better.
The wise deal for us would be to
divide equally and leave the country,
all Of u.s."
''But you and have all the stock
all the gain," protested Lawson.
It'll split mine." |
II won't-that settles that" added
Lawson, instantly.
Longstreth spread wide his hands
as if it was useless to try to convince
this man. Talk had not increased his
calmness, and he now showed more
than impatience. A dull CLINT cleaned
deep in his eyes.
"Your stock and property will last
long time-do lots Of good when
this ranger"
"Bah" hoarsely croaked Lawson.
The rangers name was a match ap-
piled to powder. "Haven't I told you
he'd be dead soon-any time-same
as Laramie is?''
eyes, you mentioned the-the sup
position replied Longstreth, sarcastic
cally. II inquired, too, just how that
very desired event was to be brought
about
'The gang will lay him OUT
"Bahv' retorted Longstreth, in turn,
He laughed contemptuously.
"Floyd, don't be a fool. You've.
been on the border for ten years but
you never in all that time saw a man
like this ranger. The only way to-
get rid of him is for the gang to
draw on him, all at once. Then he's,
going to drop some Of them. To tell
you the truth, wouldn't care much.
I'm pretty sick Of this mess"
Lawson cursed in amazement. His,
emotions were all out of proportion
to his intelligence. He was not at
seen vainer or more arrogant man.
"Longstreth, I don't like your talk"
he said.
IF you don't like the way I talk you
know what you can d." replied Long
streth, quickly. He stood up then,
cool and quiet, with flash of eyes and
set Of lips that told Duane he was
swell, after all, that's neither here
nor there" went on Lawson, uncon-
sciously cowed by the other. ''The
hing is, do get the girl?"
"Not by any means except her con-
sent"
"You'll make her marry me?"
mo. No." replied Longstreth, his
'oice still cold, low-pitched.
"All right. Then I'll make her,
Evidently Longstreth understood
he man before him so we'll that he
wasted no more words. Duane knew
what Lawson never dreamed of, and
hat was that Longstreth had q gun
omewhere within reach and meant
use it. Then heavy footsteps
ounded outside tramping upon the
orch. Duane believed those foot
tops saved Lawson's life.
"There they are" said Lawson, and
e opened the door.
Five masked men entered. They
IL wore coats hiding any weapons
big man with burly shoulders
hook hands with Longstreth\ and the
theirs stood back.
The atmosphere Of the room had
hanged. Lawson might have been
for all he counted. Long
reth was another mana stranger
Duane. If he had entertained
'pe Of freeing himself from this
md, Of getting away to a safer
'untry, he abandoned it at the very
ght of these men. There was power
re, and he was bound.
The big man spoke in low, hoarse
hispers, and at this all the others
thered around him close to the
bic. There were evidently some
sns Of membership not plain to
lane. Then all the heads were
MT over the table. Low voices
oke, queried, answered, argued.
straining his ears Duane caught q
'rd here and there. They were
inning, and they were brief. Duane
thered they were to have a re1dez.
US at or near Ord.
Then the big man, who evidently
S the leader of the present con.
ltion, got up to depart. He wens
swiftly as he had come, aud was
lowed by his comrades. Longstretll
'pared for quiet smoke. Lawson
med uncommunicative and I'm.
liable. He smoked hercely and
nix continually. All at once he
up as if listening.
What's that?" he called suddenly.
'uanes strained ears were perval
by slight rustling sound.
Must be rat" replied Longstreth