Tombstone epitaph., 1916-09-10

conversation where he had left of the night before.
 This trail splits up ways from here. an every brantS of 1t leads to a hole where you'll find men-a few. mebbe. like yourself-some like me an gangs of no-Eood hOsS thieves, ruStlers an such. It's easy Twin. Buck. l reckon. though, that you'll not find if easy. Noull never mix in. You'll be a lone wolf. I seen that right of. Wal, if man can stand the loneliness. an if he's quick on the draw, mebhe lone-wolfin' is the best. Shore I don't know. But these fellers in here will be suspicious of a man who goes 1t alone. If they get chance they'll kill you"
 SteveSs asked for water several times. He had forgotten or he did not want the whisky. His voice grew per cyptihly weaker.
 Be quiet" said Duane. ''Talking uses up your strength.
 "Aw, I'll talk till-Tm done" he re- piled. dogEedly. "See here, pard. you can gamble on what I'm tellin' you. An it'll he useful. From this camp we'll-you1I 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. reckon, fer he's half the time Twin among respectable folks. King is a good feller. It'll do to tie up with him an his gang. Now, there's Chesel- dine, who hangs out in the Rim Rock way up the river. Hes an outlaw chief I 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 1 haven't any use fer him. Bland has the biggest gang. You ain't likely to miss strikin' his place sometime or other. He's got q regular town. I might say. Shore there's some gamblin' an gun-fghtin' coin' on in Bland's 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 while.
 You ain't 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 gun. Shore I reckon he'd be careful, though Bland's no fool. an he loves his hide I reckon any of the other gangs would be better for you when you ain't goin' 1t 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 Meanwhile the sun rose warm; the breeze waved the meSqutes: the birds came down to splash in the shallow stream: Duane dOzed in a comfortable seat. By and by something reused him. Stevens was once more talking but with changed tone.
 "Fellcr;s name-was Brown" he rambled. "We fell out-Oyer boss stole from him-in Huntsville. He stole 1t fust. Browns one of them sneaks-afraid of the open-he steals an pretendS to be honest. Say, Buck mebbe you'n meet Brown some day You an me are pards now"
 'I'll remember. if ever meet him, said Duane.
 That seemed to satisfy the outlaw Presently he tried to lift his head, but had not the strength. A strange shade was creeping across the brOnZed rough face.
 My feet are pretty heavy. Shore you got my boots off!'
 Duane held them up. but was not certain that Stevens could see them The outlaw closed his eyes again and muttered incoherently. Then he fell asleep. Toward sundown Stevens awOke, and his eyes seemed clearer Duane went 10 get some fresh water, thinking his comrade would surely want some. When he returned Stevens made no sign that he wanted anything There was something bright about him and suddenly Duane realized what it meant.
 "Pard. you-stick-to me {" the out. law whispered.
 Duane caught a hint of gladness in the voice; he traced faint surprise in the haggard face. Stevens seemed like a little child.
 Duane buried him in a shallow ar. royo and heaped up pile of stones to mark the grave. That done, he saddled his comrades horse hung the weapons over the pommel. and, mount. ing his own steed, he rode down the trail in the gathering twilight.