Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-09-20
CHAPTER XXI.

ane had decided to go to Ord and try
to find h rendezvous where Long
Streth was to meet his men. These men
duane wanted wen more than their
leader. If Longstreth, or Cheseldine,
was the brains of that gang, Poggin
was the executor. 1t was Poggin who
needed to be found and stopped. Pog-
gin and his right and men,! Duane ex-
perlenced a strange, tigerish thrill. 1t
was thought of Poggin more than
thought of success for MacNelly's plan.
Duan felt dubious yer this emotion.
Next day he set out for Bradford. He
was glad to get away from Fairdale
ml!es in no wise changed h new pain
IN his heart. The only way he could
rorget 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 mail and
express train going east, was held I'D
by train robbers, the Wells-Fargo mes
senger killed over his safe. the mail
CLERK wounded. h bags carried away.
The engine Of No. 6 came into town
minus ever a tender, and engineer and
fireman told conflicting stories. A posse
or railroad men and citizens, led by a
sherlfr Duane suspected vas crooked,
was made up before the engine steamed
back to pick up the rest Of the train.
Duane had the sudden inspiration that
he had been cudgeling his mind to
i1nd: and. acting upon it. he mounted
his horse again and left Bradford UNI
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 train robber.
He rode at an easy lrot most Of the
night. n when the black peak of Ord
mountain loomed up against the stars
ne halted. tied his horse. and slept un-
til dawn. He Ia brought a small pack,
and now he took his time cooking
he saddled Bullet, and, leaving the trail
Wnere 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
there with his horse winded and COW
cred with lather. 1t added consider
able to his arrival that the man Duane
remembered as Fletcher and severa
others saw him come in the back way
through the lots and jump a fence into
the road.
Duane led Bullet up to the porch
where Fletcher stood wiping his beard.
He was hatless, vestless, n evident
ly had just enjoyed a morning drink.
"Howdy. Dodge" said Fletcher, la
conically.
returned the greeting with interest.
Jim. my hoss's done up. I want to
hide 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.
wal, il them tourists amt too
'dobe shack back of Bills here. Feed
thar. too. but you'll hev to rustic
water"
Duane led Bullet 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
of whom he had seen before. Without
comment Duane walked along the edge
OF the road. and wherever one Of the
tracks OF his horse showed he carefully
obltterated 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 n remark as To-
quacious as Fletcher's. to the effect
that q long, slow, monotonous ride
was conducive to thirst. They all joined
him. Enthusiastically friendly. But Knell
was not there, and most assuredly not
Poggtn. Fletcher was no common out
law. but whatever MS ability, it prob
ably lay in execution of orders. APP
parently at that time these men had
nothing to do but drink n lounge
around the tavern. Evidently they
were poorly supplied with money,
though Duane. observed they could
borrow a peso occasionally from the
bartender. Duane set out to make
himself agreeable and succeeded. There
was card playing for small stakes, idle