The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-06-01
CHAPTER II.

n
Duane. and 1t was that he might have
spared himself concern through his
imagining how awful II would be to
kill a man. He had no such feeling
now. He had rid the community OF
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. II
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 flu
gitive. An unreasonable anger took
hold Of him. EDnu
"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 him---then?" asked
the uncle, huskily. ... =. ....
Eyes; / stood over him--watched him
die. l did as would have been done
'I 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
an this part of the country" '
"Mother!" exclaimed Duane & - .
wait. I'll break 1t to her-what she
always feared ....f. s..
Suddenly Duane sat down and COW
cred his face with his hands. S.. -,
my God! Uncle, what have done?"
His broad shoulders shook. 4
Listen. son: an, remember what
say" replied the elder man, earnestly.
Don't ever forget You're not to
blame. Pm glad to see you take 1t this
way, because maybe you'll never grow
hard an callous. You're not to blame.
This Is Texas. You're your fathers
son. These are wild times. The law
as the rangers are laying 1t down now
can't change life all in q minute. Even
your mother, who's good true woman,
had had her share in making you 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. It will be many
years before 1t dies out of the boys
born In Texas"
"Pm a murderer" said Duane, shud-
dering. r ~. .,
"No, son, you're not. An you never
win be. But you've got to be an outlaw
till time makes it safe for you to come
home" .... ....-.
San outlaw" t.s t-.....
IT said 1t. II we had money an in
fluence we'd risk trial. But we've
neither. An reckon the scaffold or
iail is no place for Buckley Duane.
Strike for the wild country, an wher-
ever you go an whatever you do-be a
man! Live honestly, If that's possible.
II 1t isn't, be as honest as you can. If
you have 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 deal
as this you had. When you get among
these men avoid brawls. Don't drink;
don't eamble. ] needn't tell you what
to do If II comes to gun play, as likely
ii will. You can't come home. When
this thing is lived down, IL that time
ever comes. I'll get word into the un-
settled country. TIN reach you some
day. That's all. Remember, be man.
Goodby," III
Duane, with blurred sight and con-
tracing throat, gripped his uncle's
hand and bade him a wordless fare
well. Then he leaped astride the black
and rode out of town. ~
As swiftly as was consistent with a
care for his steed. Duane put distance
of 10 or Is miles behind him. With
that he slowed up, and the matter Of
riding did not require all his faculties.
He passed several ranches and was
seen by men. This did not suit him,
and he took an old trail across country.
1t was fiat region with poor growth
of mesquite and prickly pear cactus.
Occasionally he caught a glimpse Of
low hills in the distance. He had
hunted often in that section, and knew
where 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
hill and saw a considerable stretch
of country beneath him. 1t had the
/ gray samenees characterizing all that
he had traversed. He seemed TO want
to see wide spaces--to get glimpse of
the great wilderness lying somewhere
beyond to the southwest. II was sum
set when he decided to camp at like
ly spot he came across. He led the
horse to water, and then began search
ing through the shallow valley for a
: suitable place TO camp. He passed by
old camp sites that he 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
~ !, e.0rf,dad aslof Ifndaf- gcOyar Of Thick