The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-09-29

conversation where he had left off the
night before.
"This trail splits up a ways from
here, an every branch of it leads to 6
hole where you'll find men-a few
mebbe, like yourself-some like me
an gangs Of no-good boss thieves
rustlers an such. It's easy Twin, Buck
I reckon, though, that you'll not fine
it easy. You'll never mix in. You'll
be lone wolf. I seen that right off
Wal, if man can stand the loneliness
an if he's quick on the draw, mebbe
lone-wolfin' is the best. Shore I don't
know. But these fellers in here will
be suspicious of a man who goes il
alone. If they get a chance they'll
kill you"
Stevens asked for water several
times. He had forgotten or he did not
want the whisky. His voice grew per.
ceptibly weaker.
'Be quiet" said Duane. "Talking
uses up your strength"
CAV, I'll talk till-I'm DONE" he re-
piled, doggedly. "See here, pard, you
can gamble ON what I'm telIin' you.
An it'll be useful. From this camp
we'll-you'l meet men right along. An
none of them will be honest men. All
the same, some are better'n others.
I've lived along the river for twelve
years. There's three big gangs of out
laws. King Fisher-you know him, I
reckon, fer he's half the time Twin
among respectable folks. King is a
him an his gang. Nov, there's Chesel-
dine, who hangs out in the Rim Rock
way up the river. He's an outlaw
chief. / never seen him, though
stayed once right in his camp. Late
years he's got rich, an keeps back
pretty well hid. But Bland-I knowed
Bland fer years. An / haven't any
use fer him. Bland has the biggest
gang. You amt likely to miss strikin'
his place sometime or other. He's got
regular town, I. might say. Shore
there's some gamblin' an gun-fghtin'
goin' on in BANDS camp all the time.
Bland has killed some twenty men, an
thet's not countin' greasers."
Here Stevens took another drink,
and then rested for a while.
''You amt likely to get on with
Bland" he resumed presently. "YOu're
too strappin' big an good-lookin' to
please the chief. Fer he's got women
in his camp. Then he'd be jealous of
your possibilities with a gun. Shore
I reckon he'd be careful, though.
BANDS no fool, an he loves his hide.
I reckon any of the other gangs would
be better for you when you amt goin'
it alone"
Apparently that exhausted the fund
Of information and advice Stevens had
been eager to impart. He lapsed into
silence and lay with closed eyes.
the sun rose warm; the
breeze waved the mosquitoes; the birds
came down to splash in the shallow
stream; Duane dozed in comfortable
seat. BY and by something reused
him. Stevens was once more talking,
but with changed tone.
"Feller's name-was Brown" he
-ambled. eve fell out-over a boss l
stole from HMM Huntsville. He
stole it fust. Browns one of them
of the open-he steals
IN pretends to be honest. Say, Buck.
nebbe you'll meet Brown some day
You an me are pards now"
"I'll remember, if I ever meet him."
;aid Duane.
That seemed to satisfy the outlaw.
he tried to lift his head, but
lad not the strength. A strange shade
vas creeping across the bronzed,
ougb face.
my feet are pretty heavy. Shore |
'ou got my boots OFF,"
Duane held them up, but was not |
ertain that Stevens could see them. |
The outlaw closed his eyes again and
nuttered incoherently. Then he fell
sleep. Toward shutdown Stevens
woke, and his eyes seemed clearer.
Duane went to get some fresh water,
linking his comrade would surely
rant. some. When he returned Stevens
1ade no sign that he wanted anything.
here was something bright about him,
nd suddenly Duane realized what it
leant.
''Pard, you-stick-to mer the out
NV whispered.
Duane caught a hint of gladness
/ the voice; he traced a faint surprise
/ the haggard face. Stevens seemed
Ike a little child.
,yo and heaped up pile of stones
, mark the grave. That done, he
lddled his comrades horse, hung the
eapons over the pommel, and, mount /
e his own steed, he rode down the
all in the gathering twilight.