The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1916-09-22

I oaks went away with the rangers
There's been another raid at Flesher'
ranch. The King Fisher gang, likely
An SO the towns shore wide open"
Duane stalked outdoors and face,
down the street. He walked the who'll
length of the long block, meeting man.
| people-farmers, ranchers, clerks
merchants, Mexicans, cowboys ant
| women. 1t was singular fact tina
when he turned to retrace his step.
the street was almost empty. If i
was an instinct for Texans to fight, i
was also instructive for them to senst
with remarkable quickness the sign:
of a coming gun-play. Rumor coult
not fly so swiftly. In less than ter
minutes everybody who had been or
the street or in the shops knew thai
Buck Duane had come forth to NEE
his enemy.
Duane walked on. When he came
to within fifty PAGES of a saloon he
swerved cut into the middle of the
street, stood there for a moment, then
went ahead and back to the sidewalk
He passed on in this way the length
of the block. Sol White was standing
in the door of his saloon.
"Buck, I'm a-tippin' you off," he said
quick and lOw-voiced. "Cal Bain's over
at Everalls. If he's a-huntin' you bad,
as he brags, he'll show there"
Duane crossed the street and start
ed down. Notwithstanding Whites
statement, Duane was wary and slow
at every door. Nothing happened, and
he traversed almost the whole length
of the block without seeing a person.
Everall's place was on the corner.
Duane knew himself to be cold,
steady. He was conscious Of strange
fury that made him want to leap
ahead. He seemed to long for this en-
counter more than anything he had
ever wanted. But, vivid as were his
sensations. he felt as if in a dream.
Before he reached Everall's he heard
loud voices, one of which was raised
high. Then the short door swung out
ward as If impelled by vigorous hand.
A bowlegged cowboy wearing woolly
chaps bArst out upon the sidewalk. At
sight of Duane he seemed to bound
into the air, and he uttered savage
roar.
Duane stopped in his tracks at the
outer edge of the sidewalk, perhaps
dozen rods from Everalrs door.
If Balm was drunk he did not show
It in his movement. He staggered
forward, rapidly closing up the gap.
Red, sweaty, disheveled and hatless,
lis face distorted and expressive of
he most malignant intent, he was a
Wild and sinister figure. He had al
'eady killed a man, and this showed in
lis demeanor. His hands were extend
ID before him, the right hand little
over than the left. At every step he
his rancor in speech mostly
urses. Gradually he slowed his walk,
hen halted. A.gOod twenty-five PAGES |
eparated the men.
"Won't nothin' make you draw, you
he shouted fiercely.
"1'm waitin' on you, CAL" replied |
Duane.
Bain's right hand stiffened-moved.
Duane threw his gun as boy throws |
ball underhand-a draw his father
ad taught him. He pulled twice, his
hots almost as one. Bain's big Colt
oomed while it was pointed down
yard and he was falling. His bullet
catered dust and gravel at Duane's
eet. He fell loosely, without contor-
on.
In a flash all was reality for Duane.
lie went forward and held his gun
eady for the slightest movement on
lie part of Balm. But Balm lay upon
is back, and all that moved were
Is breast and his eyes. How strangely
lie red had left his face-and also the
The devil that had showed
Balm was gone. He was sober and
,nscious. He tried to speak, but
lied. His eyes expressed something
tifully human. They changed
lled-set blankly.
Duane drew a deep breath and
leathed his gun. He felt calm and ,
'oi, glad the fray was over. One
client expression burst from him.
The fool %
When he looked up there were men !
Ound him.
"Plumb center" said one.
Another. a cowboy who evidently
d just left the gaming table, leaned :
wn and pulled open Bain's shirt. =
3 had the ace of spades in his hand. +
, laid it on Bain's breast. and the ;.
lck figure on the card covered the
o bullet holes just over Bain's ,,
art. n
Duane wheeled and hurried away. !,
heard another man say: :,
Reckon Cal got what he deserved. q
elk Duane's first gun-play. Like IA h
r like son!" -
CHAPTER II. X