Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-06-07

half the gap, hen they halted again.
Il seen you amt no ranger called
the rider. AN shore | amt none"
He laughed loudly, as if he had made
a joke.
How'd you know l wasn't Il ranger:.'
asked Duane. curiously. Somehow he
mad instantly OWNED that this horse
man was no officer, or even a rancher
trailing stolen stock
Wal" said the fellow, starting his
horse forward at a walk. "a %rancher'd
never git ready to run the other way
from one man."
He laughed again. He was small and
why, slouchy of attire, and armed to
the teeth. and he bestrode a fine bay
horse. He had quick, dancing brown
eyes. at once frank and bold, and a
coarse. bronze face. Evidently he was Il
good natured ruffian.
Duane acknowledged the truth of the
assertion. and turned over in his mind
how sErewdly the fellow had guessed
him to be Il hunted man.
My names Luke Stevens, am 1 hail
from the river. Who're you 2" said this
stranger.
Duane was silent.
Il reckon you're Buck Duane" went
on Stevens. II heerd you was a damn
bad man with a gun"
This time Duane laughed, not at the
Goubtful compliment, but at the idea
that the first outlaw he met should
Know him. Here was proof of how
swiftly facts about gun play Travelled
on the Texas border.
Wal, Buck" said Stevens. in a
friendly manner, Il amt presumin' on
your time or company. 1 see you're
headln' fer the river. But will YOU stop
long enough to stake a Teller to a bite
of grub?"
I'm out of grub. and pretty hungry
myself admitted Duane.
Been pushin' your boss, 1 see. Well,
L reckon you'd better stock up before
you hit tibet stretch of country"
he made a wide sweep OF his right
arm, indicating the southwest, and
thefe was that in his action which
seemed significant of a vast and bar
rem region. ~
fully.
Shore. A Teller has jest got to eat.
l can rustic along without whisky. but
nov wlthout grub. Thet's what makes
1T SO embarrassing ~travelin' these PARTS
dodgin' your shadow. Now. I'm on nv
way to Mercer. It's a little two-bit
town up the river a ways. I'm COIN
TO pack out some grub.''
steven tone was inviting. Evidently
ne would welcome Duane's companions
snip. but he did not openly saw SO.
Duane kept silence, however. and then
Stevens Went on,
In this here country two's
a crowd. It's safer. l never was much
on this homework dodgin'. though I've
zone on ~ or necessity: 1t takes a damn
GOOD man to trave alone any length
OF time. Why, I've been tibet sick 1
was jest achin' fer some ranger to
come along and plug me. Give me a
pardner n day. Now, mebbe you're
NOT met kind of a Teller, an I'm shore
clares myself sufficient"
You mean you'd like me to go with
you?" asked Duane.
stevens grinned. wal, 1 should smile.
70 be particular proud to be braced
"lts a man of your regulations"
see mere, my good fellow, that's all
nonsense" declared Duane. in some
haste. "A1Ao
shore, l think modesty becomin' to
a youngster," replied Stevens. II hate
to brag. An I've no use fer these four
.lusIl coWboy tibet are always lookin'
I : .rounle an talkin' u play. Buck,
l don't know much about YOU. But CIV.
cry man who's lived along the Texas
porder remembers a lot about yolr dad.
IL was expected of you, l reckon an
much OF your rep was established be-
tore you throwed our gun. 1 Jest heerd
.net you was nghtnin' on the draw, an
When you cut loose with a gun why the
ngger on the ace of spades would cover
your cluster of bullet holes. Thet's
the word thet's gone down the border.
It's the Kind of reputation most sure to
ny 1ar an swift ahead Of a man in this
country, An the safest. too; Tll am
pie on thet. It's the land OF the draw.
l see now you're only a boy. though.
you're shore %strappin' husky one. Now.
Buck. I'm not a spring chicken. an rye
been long on the dodge. Mebbe a little
OF my society won't hurt you none.
You'll need to learn the country"
There was something sincere and Xix
able about this outlaw.
Il dare say you're right" replied Du-
ane, quietly. And I'll go to Mercer
with you."
Next moment he was riding down the
road with Stevens. Duane had never
been much Of a talker, and now he
found speech difficult. But his COM
panion did not seem to mind that. He
was a jocose. voluble fellow, probably
glad now to hear h sound Of his own
voice. Duane listened, and sometimes
he thought with a pang OF the distinc-
ton Of name and heritage Of blood his
father a left to him.