The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-09-11

| Yuma, Collie's horse. Her riders fig ure was only too familiar. Saunders fingered his belt. Unbuckling it, he stepped back into the barroom and laid the two holstered guns and the belt on the table. Parks, from up in the canyon, rode up, tied his pony and strolled to the bar, nodding to Saunders. Following him came Santa Fe Smith, a bowleg- ged individual in sweater and blue jeans. He nodded to Saunders. Pres ently Sago, the Inyo county outlaw, came in, wheezing and perspiring, Saunders stepped to the bar and called for "one all around"
 As they drank two more ponies clat- tered up, and Lige and Joe Kennedy Joined the group at the bar. Hutch and Simpson are comin' afoot," said Joe Kennedy.
 "Friends of yours, Silent?'
 "Yes, friends of mine."
 "Whole six of lem, eh?"
 "Whole six of 'em."
 "Well, we won't butt in. We'll give you lots of room."
 Saunders said nothing. He paid for the liquor and, stepping to the table. sat with his back to thcGoorway. In front of him lay his guns, placed han dily. but with studied carelessness. He leaned naturally on one elbow, as though half asleep. His hat was tilted over his brows.
 From outside came the jingle of spurs and rein chains and the distant sound of voices Saunders began lei surely to roll cigarette. He laid a few matches on the table. Several of the men at the bar grfnned knowingly.
 Then came the gritting of heels on the hard packed trail, and Overland Red stood in the doorway. "Mornin', gents-and Saunders" he said, glanc ing at the figure seated back toward him. !
 Hello, Redr' exclaimed Joe Kenne- dy. "Out early, atn't you? Have a | drink?'
 Mot out too early. Hello, LuskY' "How, RedY' said the saloon keeper. s'Where's your friends. Ask lem in," said Kennedy.
 Shall I ask lem .tn, .Saupders?" que ried Overland. bis voice edged with | double meaning.
 Mot on my account" said Saunders over his shoulder. "An right Let's Shave.a drink, boys"
 Even "Go Light sago, the vilest of the Gophertown crew, admired Over ron0ss oool,ooo l., fvYrnfpO hic haC or, Saunders and facing the bar. For . second Saunders fingers twitched. He glanced up. | Joe Kennedy was looking at him over his glass of whisky. "Ain't you Arinkin', Silentr' he asked with some folks," said Saunders. Overland whirled round. Have a drink with me, then"
 l. Saunders laughed.
 "Then you don't smoke either while I'm here,1 said Overland, his hand on his hip.
 "That SOP"
 "Yes; that's so. When you try to pull that old bluff of a match game on ne wait till I'm 1O4 years old, Silent That gun trick died of old age Think up a new one"
 "Ain't you talkin' little loud for polite sassietyY' questioned Sago, ad- dressing Overland.
 | "Seein' you're the only one that thinks so, reckon not" said Overland.
 Then" said Sago, moving slightly from the bar, Saunders smokes"
 It was an open declaration of war. Sago, the Inyo county outlaw, sided with Saunders.
 | According to the ethics of gun men, Saunders was not armed. He was not packing iron." His weapons lay on the table within reach, but he knew Overland would not precipitate mat ters by shooting him down where he sat. He glanced at Sago. The other winked.
 "Then I smoke" said Saunders ar d reached for a match. He shot fro ] the hip, swinging his guns sideways The stutter of Overland's automatics mingled with the roar of Saunders heavy guns.
 Sago, jumping clear, pulled his gun Kennedy clutched his arm. Saunders slid from his chair, coughed horribly and wilted to the floor. Overland back ed toward the door, both guns leveled. Sago, jerking his arm free, threw two shots at Overland, who replied with rippling tattoo of the auto 4 matics. The Inyo county outlaw sanl to h.s hands and knees. Then Over land leaped through the doorway. Int Moonstone riders spurred toward the saloon, thinking that the quarrel had provoked too many guns. Overland tried to stop them, but they were hot for fight.
 "Its a clean up" yelled Parks, run ming out of the saloon and mounting his horse. "You framed it, you red headed son. He got no further Brand Williams, laundering down al the head of the Moonstone riders threw a level shot that cut through Parks, who wavered, but managed te