The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1916-12-14
THE LONE STAR RANGER
:. Thrilling Texas Border Story
By ZANE GREY

his latter remark was significant TO a
class of men who from inclination and
necessity prncticed at gun-drawing un-
Ill they wore callous and sore places
on their thumbs and inculcated In the
very deeps of their nervous organiza-
tion n habit that made even the sim
plest and most innocent motion Of the
hand end at or near the hip. There
was something remarkable about n
gun-fghter's hand. 1t never seemed to
be gloved, never to be injured, never
out of sight or In an awkward posi-
ton. Grizzled outlaws In that group,
some OF whom had many notches on
their gun-handles, accorded Duane
silence that carried conviction of the
regard in which he was held.
"Orful hot. amt it2" remarked Bill
Black, presently. Bill could not keep
quiet for long. He was typical
Texas desperado, had never been any
thing else. He was stoop-shouldered
and bow-legged from much riding; a
wiry little man, all muscle. with n
square head, hard face partly black
from scrubby beard and red from sun,
and bright, rowing, cruel eye. His
shirt was open at the neck, showing Il
grizzled breast.
--LATEST outfit l ever rustled with"
went ON Bill, discontentedly. "Nuthin'
to do Say, II anybody wants to swim
maybe some of you'll gambler
He produced dirty pack OF cards
aud waved them at the motionless
crowd.
sBill, you're too good at cards." re-
piled lanky outlaw.
'Now, Jasper, you say thet power
full sweet, an you look sweet, er
might take 1t TO heart" replied Black,
with sudden change of tone.
Here II was again-that upflashing
passion. What Jasper saw fit to reply
would mollify the outlaw or 1t would
not. There was an even balance.
mo offense, Bill" said Jasper
placidly, without moving.
Bill grunted and forgot Jasper. But
he seemed restless and dissatisfied.
Duane watching the disgruntled out
law, marveled at him and wondered
what was in his mind. These mer
were more variable than children, as
unstable as water. as dangerous a.
dynamite.
"Bill, I'll bet you ten you can't spill
whatever's In the bucket thet poems
packin'." said the outlaw called Jim
Blacks head came up with the &C
ton of hawk about to swoop.
Duane glanced from Black to tn,
road, where he saw a crippled peor
carrying tin bucket toward the river
This peon was half-wltted IndiaI
who lived I'm shack and did odd job
for the Mexicans. Duane hard met hin
often.
"Jim, I'll take you up" replle'
Black.
Something, perhaps a harshness Il
his voice, caused Duane to whirl. III
caught leaping CLEAN in the outlaw
eye.
Jaw, BILL thet's too fur a shot,
said Jasper, as Black rested an elboN
on his knee and sighted over the lonG
heavy Colt. The distance to the peo
was about fifty PAGES, too far for eve
the most expert shot to hit movin
object so small as bucket.
Duane, marvelously keen In tn
alignment of sights, was positive tina
Black held too high. Another look a
the hard face, now tense and dar
, with blood, confirmed Duane's su'
picion that the outlaw was not aimin
at the bucket at all. Duane leape
and struck the level gun out of hi
hand. Another outlaw picked it up.
/, Black fell back astounded. d.
prived Of his weapon, he did not seeI
! the same man, or else he was cove
by Duane's significant and formidabl
front. Sullenly he turned away will
, out even asking for his gun.