The Glasgow courier., 1916-12-22
CHAPTER xvilI.
The Riders.

thrOp, Overland Ked took cOur-
age. He felt that he himself
was holding Collie's life from
sinking. His huge optimism would
not admit that his friend could die.
He was leaning back against rock
near the notch and gazing ut the slant.
ing moonlight that spread across the
somber canyon walls. A week had
gone since he mailed his letter to
Brand williams of the Moonstone. and
Collie was still alive.
Slowly q shaft Of moonlight drew
down toward the notch. silvering Its
ragged edges. Lower the light slid
until 1t revealed the opening and in It
the figure Of horseman. In the white
light Overland could see the quirt dan.
Cling from the others wrist. The
horseman's wide belt giittcred.
Brand" called Overland Red softly.
The opposite wall took up the name
hesitatingly and tossed it back.
'Brand!' whispered the echoes that
drifted to the darkened corners of the
cliff and were lost in voiceless mur
murings.
Brand your own Stock" came the
answer. low aud distinct.
Overland laughed. 1t was their old
time pun upon the foreman's name.
He got to his feet and approached.
1T does me good" he said. extending
his hand.
"How is Collie:" asked Williams, dis
mounting.
Overland heaved great sigh. Hes
floatin' somewhere between here and
the far shore Mebby he's tryin' to
pull through. The doc says the kid
don't seem to care whether he does or
not. Did-the little rose girl-tell you
anything toto say to him?
"When l was leavin' she come out
to the gate" said Williams. "She
didn't say much She only hands me
this and kind Of whispered: Give him
this. He will understand
And Williams drew small gray
gauntlet from his shirt. Overland took
the glove and tucked it in his pocket.
Anything doing?" asked Williams.
Nope They're overdue to jump us
J. SllOOIlII NOllC NdS any SISu.
Like old times" said Williams.
Like old times,' echoed Overland.
mo trouble tindin' your way across"'
Easy. Followed them automobile
tracks clear to the range. We fed up
at the town. The boys gets kind OF
restless
1vbt -,
II should say not" replied Williams
disgustedly. II wish | was. | got
four pigeon toed. bowlegged. bat cared
MOonstOnerS down in that meadow
just itchin' mad to cut loose. Ant
they amt sayin' word, which is sus
picious. WOrryin' across the old dry
spot the last three days has kind OF
het 'em up. And then hearin' about
Collie"-
How'd you come to have so much
comp'ny?" queried Overland.
II was plumb fool enough to reae
that letter of yours to 'em. They al
like Collie first rate, better than cal
culated on. The boss talked turkey tt
'em, but he had to let 'em come. Fl.
NAO CNCAy NAAuG AC NOulO W uUIu cul
KNOWN what was in the wind"
"And they quit:'
"Quit? Every red eyed bat of EN-
Bud and Pars and Billy and Miguel
Told the boss they quit because. mt
bein' foreman, they would do as l says
but If they quit l wasn't their foreman
any longer, and they would do as the,
6l1n1 v,1n0cn Thn~ IN =.
tell me that l could come along if
was wishful'
Overland nodded. We'll. Brand,
guess I'll step down and look EN-
over"
Hinged round their little fire in tn,
meadow sat or lay the MOonstOne rid
ers. While crossing the desert viii
liams had sketched a few of the rex
episodes in Overland's early career
These pleased the riders nightly
They were anxious to meet Red Jacl
Summers. When Williams did intro
duce him they were rather silent, ask
ing after Collie in monosyllables. The!
seemed strangely reticent.
Both Williams and Overland felt al
Miguel, the young Mexican vaquero
broke silence. How long you call
to this Gophertown place. think?"
Thirty miles," said Overland.
Suddenly Pars Long glanced at tn,
foreman. Brand" he said quietly
I'VE expect you didn't read all of tha
letter from your friend here. You sait
Collie was shot. You didn't say how
which amt natural We been talkin
about It Where was he hit?'
Overland saw his chance and grasp
ed 1t with both hands. I'm the back.
he said slowly and with great inten
sity.
Followed . silence. in which th'
stamping Of the tethered horses ant