The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-06-08

were USED 10 trots anu eh1t n.Au "a
gait would not do for Stevens. The
red died out OF the west; pale after
glow prevailed for q while; darkness
set in: then the broad expanse or blue
ldarkened and the stars Frightened.
After a while Stevens ceased talking
and dropped in his saddle. Duane kept
the horses going, however, and the
slow hours wore away. Duane thousnt
the quiet night would never break 70
dawn, that there was no end to the
melancholy, brooding plain. But at
length a grayness blotted out the stars
and mantled the level Of mesquite and
cactus.
Dawn caught the fugitives at green
camping site on the bank OF a rocky
little stream. Stevens fell a dead
weight into Duane's arms. and one look
at the haggard face showed Duane that
the outlaw had taken his last ride. he
knew 1t, too. Yet that cheerfulness
prevailed.
Buck, my feet are orful tired pack
in them heavy boots" he said, and
seemed immensely relieved when
Duane had removed them.
This matter of the outlaws boots
was strange, Duane thought. He made
Stevens as comfortable as possible,
then attended to his own needs. And
the outlaw took up the thread OF his
conversation where he had left off the
night before.
This trail splits up a ways from
here, an every branch Of 1t leads to
hole where you'll find men-a few,
mebbe, like yourself.some IKE me
an gangs of no good boss thieves,
rustlers, an such It's easy Twin,
Buck. reckon, though, that you'll not
find Ii easy. You'll never mix In.
You'll be a lone wolf. I seen that
right off. Wal, II q man can stand
the loneliness, an II he's quick on the
draw, mebbe lone VIOLIN 1t Is the best.
Shore 1 don't know. But these fellers
In here will be suspicious Of a man who
goes it alone. If they get 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"
Jaw, I'll talk till-Pm DONE" he re-
piled, doggedly. See here, pard, you
can gamble on what I'm tellin' you. An
it'll be useful. From this camp Wen
you'll 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 fer IL years.
There's three big gangs Of outlaws.
King Fisher-you know him, reckon,
spectacle folks. King is a pretty good
Teller. It'll do to tie up with him an
his gang. Now, there's Cheseldine,
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 some time or
other. He's got a regular town, I
might say. Shore there's some gamb-
lin an gun fightin' goin' on at BANDS
camp all the time. Bland has killed
some 20 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 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
fer you when you amt 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. Mean
while the sun rose warm; the breeze
waved the mosquitoes; the birds came
down to splash in the shallow stream;
Duane dozed in a comfortable seat. BY
and by something reused him. Ste
vens was once more talking, but with a
changed tone. - Il
"Fellers name-was Brown" he
rambled. I'VE fell out--over a boss 1
stole from HMM Huntsville. He stole
it fust. Browns one Of them sneaks---
afraid Of the open-he steals an pre-
tends to be honest. Say, Buck. mebbe
you'll meet Brown some day-You an
me are pards now"
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. duane believed that sleep was
final. The day passed, with Duane
watching and waiting. Toward sun
down Stevens awoke, and his eyes
seemed clearer. Duane went to get
some fresh water. thinking his COM
rade would surely want some. When
he returned Stevens made no sign that
he wanted anything. There was some
thing bright about him, and suddenly
Duane realized what It meant.
"Pard, you-stuck-to mel" the out
law whispered.
Duane caught hint Of gladness in
the voice; he traced faint surprise
In the haggard face. Stevens seemed
like little child. $500
To Duane the moment was sad, ele-
mental, big, with burden of mystery
he could not understand.
Duane buried him in a shallow arroyo
ana neaped up a pile Of stones to
mark the grave. That done he saddled
his comrades horse, hung the weapons
over the pommel; and, mounting his
own steed, he rode down the trail in
the gathering twilight. : :. :
d.. CH pTER IVY