The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-11-11

die them alone. didn't you. SIT
''Yes. and ! can now"
"Nix. 81! Your gun arms aIn't what
they was sence Overland Red winged
you"
How do you know he did,"
II could tell you more. But come on
In and have one on the house II
was you I'd set with my back 10 the
door and be takin' a drink. Red Sum.
mers never shot a man in the back yet
II he's playin' for you-why. that gives
you chance 10 pull gun"
"How about your queried Saun
ders.
"Me7 None OF my business. I'm
here 10 push the booze"
Saunders drummed on the table with
his fingers. The drink OF liquor had
restored his nerve. Perhaps the riders
were not coming 10 visit him after all.
He rose and stepped to the door. The
oncoming horses were near enough for
him to distinguish the roam outlaw
Yuma, Collies horse. Her riders fig.
ure was only too familiar. Saunders
fingered his belt Unbuckling II, he
stepped back into the barroom and
laid the two holstered guns and the
belt on the table.
Parks. from up I'm the canyon. rode
up. tied his pony and strolled to the
bar. nodding TO Saunders. Following
him came Santa Fe Smith, bowleg
ged individual In sweater and blue
jeans. He nodded 10 Saunders. Pres
emily Sago the Inyo county outlaw,
came In, wheeling and perspiring,
Saunders stepped to the bar and called
for zone all around"
AS they drank two more ponies clat.
tered up. and Llge and Joe Kennedy
Joined the group at the bar. Hutch
and Simpson are comm afoot." said
Joe Kennedy.
Friends OF yours. SilentT
Eyes, friends OF mine"
'Whole six OF 'em. ehT"
whole six OF EN-"
"well. we won't butt In. Wen give
you lots OF ROOM"
Saunders said nothing. He paid for
the liquor and. stepping to the table,
sat with his back TO the doorway. In
front OF him lay his guns. placed han.
Oily, but with studied careiessness.
He leaned naturally on one elbow, as
though half asleep. Ills bat was tilted
over his brows.
From outside came the Jingle OF
spurs and rein chains and the distant
sound OF voices Saunders began lei.
surely 70 roll a cigarette. He laid
few matches on the table. Several OF
the men at the bar grinned knowingly.
Then came the gritting OF heels on
the hard packed trail. and Overland
Red stood In the doorway. "Mornin'.
gents-and Saunders" he said. glanc-
ing at the figure seated back toward
him.
Hello, Redr' exclaimed Joe Kenne-
dy. "Out early, amt your Have
drink"
mot out too early. Hello, Lusk7"
slow, Redg said the saloon keeper
where's your friends. Ask 'em In"
said Kennedy.
"Shall l ask 'em In, saunders?" que
ried overland. his voice edged with
double meaning.
Not on my account" said Saunders
over his shoulder
"An right Let's have q drink. boys"
Even Go Light Sage, the vilcst OF
the Gophertown crew. admired over
lands GOODNESS IN turning his back on
Saunders and faciuc the bar
For second Saunders fingers
twitched lie glanced up
Joe Kennedy was looking at him
over his glass OF whisky. Amt you
drinkln'. SileutT' be asked
with some folks" said Saunders.
Overland whlrled round Have
drink with me. then. &"
Saunders laughed
"Then you don't smoke either while
I'm here" said Overland. his hand on
his hip
"That SOP"
yes that's so When you try to
pull that old blum of match game on
me wait till I'm l04 years old, Silent.
That gun trick died OF old nge Think
~ new one"
Amt you taikin' a little loud for
polite sassiety?" questioned Sage. ad-
dressing Overland.
"Seeln' you're the only one that
thinks so, ! reckon not" said Overland.
Then" said Sage, moving slightly
from the bar. Saunders smokes"
Ii was an open declaration OF war.
Sago, the Inyo county outlaw, sided
with Saunders.
According 10 the ethics OF gun men.
Saunders was not armed. He was not
packing iron" His weapons lay on
the table within reach. but he knew
Overland would not precipitate mat.
tiers by shooting him down where he
sat He glanced at Sage. The other
winked.
"Then | smoke" said Saunders and
reached for match lie shot from
the hip, swinging his guns sideways