Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-09-21
CHAPTER XXI.

TO the rendezvous where Long
streth was to meet his men. These men
Duane wanted even more than their
leader. If Longstreth, or Cheseldine,
was the brains of that gang, Poggin
was the executor. 1t was Poggin VINO
to be found and stopped. Pog-
gin and his right hand men! Duane ex-
perienced a strange, tigerish thrill. 1t
was thought Of Poggin more than
thought of success for MacNelly's plan.
Duane felt dubious over this emotion.
Next day he set out for Bradford. He
was glad to get away from F'airdale
for 4 while. But the hourst and the
miles in no wise changed the new pain
in his heart. The only way he could
forget Miss Longstreth was to let his
mind dwell upon Poggin, and even this
was not always effective.
He avoided Sanderson, and at the
end Of a day and a half he arrived at
Bradford.
The night of the day before he
reached Bradford, No. 6. the mai and
express train going east, was held up
by train robbers, the Wells-Fargo mes
senger killed owe his safe, the MAJ
clerk wounded, the bags carried away.
The engine of No. 6 came into town
minus even q tender, n engineer and
fireman told conflicting stories. A posse
of railroad men and citizens, led by a
sheriff Duane suspected was crooked,
wis Ildue up DGlOIe LIe GHSilie SlSdtlleu
back to pick up the rest of the train.
Duane had the sudden inspiration that
he had been ~cudgeling his mind to
find; and, acting upon 1T, he MOUNTED
his horse again and left Bradford I'M
observed. AS he rode out into the night,
over a dark trail in the direction of
Ord, he uttered a short, grim, sardonic
laugh at the hope that he might be
taken for a rain robber.
He rode at an easy trot most of the
night, n when the black peak of Ord
mountain doomed up against the stars
he halted, tied his horse, n slept UNI
til dawn. He had brought a small pack,
and now he took his time cooking
breakfast. When the sun was well up
he saddled Bullet, and. leaving the trail
where his tracks showed plain in the
| ground, he put his horse to the rocks
and brush. He selected an exceedingly
rough, roundabout, and difficult course
to Ord, hid his tracks with the skill of
a long hunted fugitive, and arrived
cred with lather. 1t added consider
! able to his arrival that the man Duane
remembered as Fletcher and several
others saw him come in the back way
through the lots and jump a fence into
the
Duan led Bullet up to the porch
where Fletcher stood wiping his beard.
LIZ "t. tNIiSsS, eIAb W ~
ly had just enjoyed a morning drink.
"Howdy, Dodge said Fletcher, Ia
conically.
Duane replied, and the other man
returned the greeting with interest.
Jim, my hoss's done up. l want to
aide him from any chance tourists as
might happen to ride up curious like
"Haw! haw! haw."
Duane gathered encouragement from
that chorus of coarse laughter.
oval, if them tourists amt too
burned smoky the hoss'll be safe in the
'dobe shack back of Bills here. Feed
thar, too, but you'll hev to rustic
water"
Duane led Bulle to the place indi-
Gated. had care of his welfare, and
left him there. Upon returning to the
, tavern porch Duane saw the group OF
men had been added to by Others, some
CT whom he q seen before. Without
comment Duane walked along the edge
of the road, and wherever one of the
tracks OF his horse showed he carefully
obliterated it. This procedure was at
tentively watched by Fletcher and his
companions.
Wal, Dodge" remarked Fletcher, as
Duane returned, 'thet's Safer'n prayin
fer rain"
Duane's reply was a remark as To-
%quacious as Fletcher's, to the effec'
llldL Il iOiS, SloW, lilollotollou9 ~
was conducive to thirst. They all JOINED
him, Enthusiastically friendly. But knei
was not there, and most assuredly no
Poggin. Fletcher was no common out.
law, but whatever mis- ability, it prob
ably lay in execution of orders. APP
parentiy at that time these men hat
nothing to do but drink and lounge
around the tavern. Evidently the.
were poorly supplied with money
though Duane observed they coult
borrow a peso occasionally from TIL
bartender. Duane set out to max,
himself agreeable and succeeded. Their
vas card playing for small stakes, idl
jests of coarse nature, much banterin:
among the younger fellows. and occa
sionally a mild quarrel. All mornin!
men came and went, Until, al tcia
Duane calculated he had seen at leas
so. Toward the middle of the after
noon a young fellow burst into tn
saloon and yelled one word:
'Posse!"
From the scramble to get outdoor
Duane Judged that word and the ensu
ing action was rare in Ord.
What the hell" muttered Fletcher
rs he gazed down the road at a darl
compact bunch Of horses and riders
"Fust time | ever seen tibet in Ord
We're gettin' popular like them camp
, out of Valentine. Wish Phil was her
or POSSy. o all you gents kee
quiet. I'll do the talkin'."
The posse entered the town, trotte
up on dusty horses, and halted In
bunch before the tavern. The part
consisted of about 20 men, ali heavil
armed, and evidently in charge Of
clean cut, lean limbed cowboy. Duan
experienced considerable satisfaction
: at the absence of the sheriff who h
had understood was to lead the poss
Perhaps he was out in another direc
ton with a different force.
, Hello Jim Fletcher" called the COW
boy.
. "Howdy," replied Fletcher.
At his short, dry response and til
, way he strode lie. surely out before q
posse Duane found himself modifyin
his contempt for Fletcher. h on,
, law was different now.
FLETCHER, we've tracked a man to a
!. but three miles of this place. Tracks a
plain as the nose on our face. Foun
, his camp. Then he hit into the brusl
. an we lost the trail. Didn't ave n
tracker with us. Think he went into tt
: mountains. But we took = chance a.
. over the rest Of the way, SEEM Or
was SO close. Anybody come in hel
: late night or early this mornin'?"
NN0pao rnn1ied ElefchpY