The Benson signal., 1916-10-14

"Oaks went away with the rangers.
There's been another raid at F1esher's
ranch. The King Fisher gang, likely.
An so the towns shore wide open."
Duane stalked outdoors and faced
down the street. He walked the whole
length of the long block meeting many
people-farmers, ranchers, clerks,
merchants, Mexicans, cowboys and
women. It was singular fact that
when he turned to retrace his steps
the street was almost empty. If it
was an instinct for Texans to fight, it
was also instructive for them to sense
with remarkable quickness the signs
of coming gun-play. Rumor could
not fly SO swiftly. In less than ten
minutes everybody who had been on
the street or in the shops knew that
Buck Duane had come forth to meet
his enemy.
Duane walked on. When he came
to within fifty PAGES Of a saloon he
swerved out 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 Everall's. 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.
Evefalls 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 burst out upon the sidewalk. At
sight of Duane he seemed to bound
into the air, and he uttered a savage
roar.
Duane stopped in his tracks at the
outer edge of the sidewalk, perhaps
dozen rods from EveralPs 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 hatlessp
his face distorted and expressive of
the most malignant intent, he was a
wild and sinister figure. He had al
Iready killed man, and this showed in
his demeanOr. His hands were extend
ed before him, the right hand little
lower than the left. At every step he
beloved his rancOr in speech mostly
curses. Gradually he slowed his walk,
then halted. A good twenty-five PAGES
separated the men.
"Won't nothin' make you draw, you
-!" he shouted fiercely.
'Tm waitin' on you, CAL" replied
Duane.
Duane threw his gun as boy throws
ball underhand-a draw his father
had taught him. He pulled twice, his
shots almost as one. Bain's big Colt
doomed while it was pointed down
ward and he was falling. His bullet
scattered dust and gravel at Duane's
feet. He fell loosely, without contor-
ton.
In a flash all was reality for Duane.
He went forward and held his gun
ready for the slightest movement on
the part of Balm. But Balm lay upon
his back, and all that moved were
his breast and his eyes. How strangely
the red had left his face-and also the
distortion! The devil that had showed
in Balm was gone. He was sober and
conscious. He tried to speak, but
failed. His eyes expressed something
pitifully human. They changed
rolled-set' blankly.
Duane drew a deep breath and
sheathed his gun. He felt calm and
cool, glad the fray was over. One
violent expression burst from him.
'The fool!'
When he looked up there were men
around him.
"Plumb center" said one.
Another, a cowboy who evidently
had just left the gaming table, leaned
down and pulled open Bain's shirt.
He had the ace Of spades in his hand.
He laid it on Bain's breast, and the
black figure on the card covered the
two bullet holes just over Bain's
heart.
Duane wheeled and hurried away.
He heard another man say:
"Reckon Cal got what he deserved.
Buck Duane's first gun-play. Like IA
ther like SOn!' ..
CHAPTER III.
When Duane came to the gate of
his home and saw his uncle there with