The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-06-01
II.

DudiiS, anu II was ina he might nave
spared himself concern through his
imagining how awful it would be to
Kill a man. He had no such feeling
now. He had rid the community of a
drunken, Dragging, quarrelsome cow
boy.
When he came to the gate of his
home and saw his uncle there with a
mettlesome horse, saddled, with can
teen, rope, and bags all in place, a
subtle shock pervaded his spirit. 1t
had slipped his mind-the consequence
of his act. But the sight of the horse
and the look of his uncle recalled the
fact that he must now become a flu
gitive. An unreasonable anger took
hold of him.
The id fool" he exclaimed, hot
ly. Meeting Balm wasn't much. Uncle
Jim. He busted my boots, that's all.
And for that I've got to go on the
dodge"
Son. you killed hfm-then?" asked
the uncle, huskily.
Yes. l stood over him-watched him
die. did as l would have been done
by"
II knew it. Long ago I saw it COM
in. But now we can't stop to cry over
/ split blood. You've got to leave town
a n this part of the country"
"Mother!" exclaimed Duane.
She's away from home. You can't
wait. I'll break it to her-what she
always feared"
Suddenly Duane sat down and COW
! cred his face with his hands.
My God! Uncle, what v I done?"
His broad shoulders hook.
Listen. son. an remember what |
say" replied the elder man. earnestly.
Don't ever forget. You're not to
blame. I'm glad to see you take it this
way. because maybe you'll never grow
hard an callous. You're not to blame.
This is, Texas. You're your fathers
e1, Tt1.,1 - $50 r,,;1I @,~o@r If STl~ 1a.rye
as III rangers are laying 1t down now
can't change life all in a minute Even
YOUR mother, who's a good, true woman,
had a her share in making o what
you are this moment. For she was one
of the pioneers-the fightin' pioneers
of this state. Those years of wild
times. before you was born, developed
in her instinct to fight, to save her life,
her children, an that instinct has
cropped out in YOU. 1t will be many
years before it dies out Of the boys
born in Texas"
I'm a murderer" said Duane, shud-
dering.
NO, son. you're not. An you never
will be. But you've got to be an outlaw
till time makes it safe for you to come
home"
II said it. IL we had money an in
fluence we'd risk a trial. But we've
neither. An / reckon the scaffold or
Jail is no place for Buckley Duane.
Strike for the wild country, IAN wher-
ever 0 go an whatever you do-be a
man. Live honestly. If that's possible.
II it isn't. be as honest as you can. II
you hav to herd with outlaws try not
to become bad. There are outlaws
who're not all bad-many who have
been driven to the river by such a deal
as this o had. When o get among
these men avoid brawls. Don't drink;
don't gamble. / needn't tell you what
to do if it comes to gun play. as likely
lit will. You can't come home. When
this thing is lived down. If that time
ever me I'll get word into the I'M
settled country. It'll reach you some
day. That's all. Remember, be a man.
lGoodby."
Duane, with blurred sight and con-
tracing throat. gripped his uncle's
hand and babe him a wordless fare
well. Then he leaped astride the black
and rode out of town.
AS swiftly ais was consistent with a
care for his steed, Duane put a distance
of IL or is miles behind him. With
that he slowed up. n the matter Of
riding did not require all his faculties.
He passed several ranches n was
seen by men. This did not suit him,
and he took an old trail across country.
1T vas a flat region with a poo growth
of mesquite and prfck1y pear cactus
Occasionally he caught a glimpse Of
low hills IN taS distance. He hadl
hunted often in that section. n knew
wher to find grass and water. When
he reached his higher ground he did
not. however. halt at the first favor
able camping spot. but went on and
on. Once he came out upon the brow Of
of country beneath him. 1t had the
gray sar1eness characterizing all that
he had traversed. He seemed to want
to see wide sspaces--to get a glimpse of
the great wilderness lying somewherel
beyond to the southwest. 1t was sum
set when he decided to camp at a like
~ spot he came across. He led the
horse to water, and then began search
ing through the shallow valley for a
suitable place TO 81 He pasgedgby !
old camp sites that ne well remem-
bered. These, however. did not strike
his fancy this time, and the signifi-
canoe OF the change In him did not oc-
cur at the moment. at last he found
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