Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-06-14

been unfamiliar with whisky, and he
had used tobacco moderately since ne
was 16. But now, strangely, he fel,
a disgust at the idea of stimulants. He
did not understand clearly what he
felt. There was that vague idea Of
something wild in his blood, something
that made him fear himself.
Euchre wagged his head sympathet-
ieally: Reckon you feel a little sick
What's your age?"
I'm 49," replied Duane.
Euchre showed surprise. you're
only a boy! l thought you 80 any
ways. Buck. I heard what you told
Bland, an nutting tibet with my own
figgerin', l reckon you're no criminal
yet. THROWN a gun in self defense
tibet amt no crime"
Duane, finding relief in talking, told
more about himself.
Huh" replied the old man. I've
been on this river fer years, an I've
seen hundreds of boys come in on the
dodge. Most OF them, though, was no
good. An tibet kind don't last long.
This river country has been an is the
refuge fer criminals from all over the
states. I've unked with bank cash
lers, forgers, plain thieves, an out an
out murderers, all of which had no
bizness ON III Texas border. Fellers
like Bland are exceptions. He's no
TeNan-you seen tibet. The gang he
ANASo ASAS III liONl dI over, dIl
they're tough cusses, you can bet on
tibet. They live fat am easy. If it
wasn't fer the fightin' among them
selves they'd shore grow populous. The
Kim Rock is no place for a peaceable.
decent Teller. l heard you tell Bland
you wouldn't join his gang. Thet'u
not make him take a likin' to you.
Have you any money"
Not much,' replied Duane.
Could you live by gamblin'? Are
you my good at cards?'
mo"
You wouldn't steal bosses or rustic
cattle?"
No.
When your moneys gone how N
hell will you live? There amt any
work a decent Teller could do. You
can herd with greasers. Why. BANDS
men would shoot at o in the fields.
Whatll you do, son."
God Knows replied Duane, hope
lessly. "Il make my money last as
long as p~ossible-then starve."
oval, I'm pretty pore, but you'll
never starve while 1 got anythin'."
Here it struck Duane again-that
something human and kind and eager
which ne a seen in Stevens. Duane's
estimate of outlaws had lacked this
quality. He had not accorded them
any virtues. To him. as to the out
side world, they had been merely vi
cious men without one redeeming fea-
ture.
I'm much obliged to you, Euchre,"
replied Duane. But of course l won't
live with anyone unless l can pay my
share"
Have it any way you like, my son."
said Euchre. good humoredly. "You
make a fire, an I'll set about gettin'
grub. I'm a SOUL dough, Buck. Tibet
man doesn't live who can beat my
bread"
How do o ever pack supplies in
here?' asked Duane, thinking of the
almost inaccessible nature of the wall
Some comes across from Mexico,
an the rest down the river. Thet
miles to any supply noint. Bland has
mozos, greaser boatmen. Sometimes,
too, he gets supplies in from down
river. You see, Bland sells thousands
Of cattle in Cube. An all this stock
has to go down by boat to meet the
ships"
Where on earth are the cattle driv-
en- down to the river?" asked Duane.
'Thet's not my secret" replied Gu
chre, shortly. Fact is, l don't know.
v rustled cattle for Bland, but he
v sent me through the Rim Rock
with them"
Duane experienced a sort of pleas
- Aiu 14lISlcSI LLdu
been stirred in him. He was curious
about Bland and his gang, and glad to
have something to think about. For
every once in Il while he had a sensa-
ton that was almost like a pang. He
wanted to forget. In the next hour he
did forget, and enjoyed helping in the
preparation and eating of the meal
EucEre, after washing n hanging up
the several utensils. put on his hat and
turned to go out.
Come along or Jay here, as You
want he sald to Duane.
The old outlaw left the room and
trudged away, whistling cheerfully.
Duane looked around him for a book
or paper, anything to read; out all the
printed matter he could find consisted
OF a few words on cartridge boxes and
bacco pouch There seemed to be Moth
ing for him to do. He had rested: he
did not want to lie down any more.
He began to walk to and fro, from one
end of the room to the other. And as
he walked he fell into the lately ac-
CURED habit Of brooding over his mis-
fortune.
Suddenly he Strengthened up with a
jerk. Unconsciously he had drawn his
gun. Standing there with the bright,
cold weapon in his hand, he looked at
it in CONSERVATION. How had he come
to draw It? With difficulty he traced
his thoughts backward, but could not
find any that was accountable for his
act. He discovered, however, that he
had a remarkable tendency to drop his
hand to his gun. That might have
come from the habit long practice in
drawing had given him. Likewise, it
might have come from a subtle sense.
scarcely THOUGHT Of at all. of the late,
close and inevitable relation between
that weapon and himself. He was
amazed to find that. bitter as he had
grown at fate. the desire to live burned
strong in him. If he had Deer as un-
All a a Aolse eiAaaaA-l 49, ala