The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-02-08

led past eleven ranlshackle cabins. dere-
licts of the old mining days when
Gopl,ertown knew gold. Train robbery
was certain passport to Gophertown's
protection. Man killing lent an added
distinction to an applicant for hurried
admission. Cattle and horse thieving
was mere industry not to be con-
founded with these higher professions.
Saunders, coming from the saloon.
was not little surprised to see band
of horsemen far out on the desert. He
felt that their presence In his vicinity
had something to do with himself. He
counted the horses. There were six
Of them. He knew instantly that the
riders were cowmen. although he could
not distinguish one from another. He
beckoned to the saloon keeper.
I'VE could "a stopped that" he said.
pointing toward the desert.
big bunch. One, two, three-six Of
'em. Big bunch to come visitin' here" /.
Saunders gestrred toward the can
yon behind Gophertown.
The saloon keeper shook his head.
Don't think most Of our boys will be
back this week. Brandin' that bunch
Of new stock. Takes time to do Il
right
well, here comes Parks and Santa
Fe Smith," said Saunders. THAT
makes four of u.s."
"Mebby-and mebby not" said the
saloon keeper. THAT depends-de-
pends on the party that's calm and
who they're callin' on"
There's Sago-just ridin' the ledge
trail. That's Eve"
"'Lige and Joe Kennedy are up at
the corrals," said the saloon keeper.
''They would hate to miss anything
like this
"Mebby they won't IL that bunch
gets past u.s. said Saunders.
''Seen the time when you could han.
die them alone. didn't you. Si?''
"Yes. and can now"
mix, 81! Your gun arms amt what
they was sence Overland Red winged
you"
"HOw do you know he didY
Il could tell you more. But come on
In and have one on the house. II I
was you I'd set with my back to the
door and be takin' drink. Red Sum-
mers never shot man in the back yet
II he's playin' for you-why. that gives
you chance to pull gum"
"How about your queried Saun.
ders.
"Me7 None OF my business. I'm
here to push the BOOZE"
Saunders drummed on the table with
his fingers. The drink Of liquor had
restored his nerve. Perhaps the riders
were not coming to visit him after all.
He rose and stepped to the door. The
0ncOming horses were near enough for
him to distinguish the roam outlaw
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, bowleg.
| ged Individual in sweater and blue
jeans. He nodded to Saunders. Pres
emily Sag0. the Inyo county outlaw,
came III. wheeling and perspiring,
Saunders stepped to the bar and called
for lone 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 comm afoot." said
Joe Kennedy.
"Triends Of yours, SilentT'
Eyes, friends Of mine"
"Whole six Of 'em. eh?"
whole six Of 'em."
.Well, we won't butt In. Wen givl
you lots Of room."
| Saunders said nothing. He paid fol
the liquor and. stepping to the table
sat with his back to the doorway. Il
front Of him lay his guns. placed han
dily, but with studied carelessness
He leaned naturally ON one elbow, a
though half asleep. His hat was tilte'
over his brows.
From outside came the Jingle o
spurs and rein chains and the distan
sound Of voices. Saunders began lei
surely to roll a cigarette. He laid
few matches on the table. Several o
the men at the bar grinned knowingly
Then came the gritting Of heels o.
the hard packed trail. and Overlan
Red stood In the doorway. "MQrnin
gents-and Saunders" he said, glans
ing at the figure seated back towar
him.
.Hello, Red!' exclaimed Joe Kenne
dy. "Out early. amt you? Have
drinkr'
'sNot out too early. Hello, Lusk7"
''How, RedY' said the saloon keeper
where's your friends. Ask 'em in.
said Kennedy.
"Shall ask 'em in, Saunders?" que
ried Overland. his voice edged with
double meaning.
'Not on my account" said Saunder
over his shoulder.
"All right Let's have drink. boys
Even "Go Light Sage. the vilest Z
the Gophertown crew, admired Owe
lands coolness In turning his back o
Saunders and facing the bar.
: For q second Saunders finger
twitched. He glanced up.
Joe Kennedy was looking at hi
over his glass OF whisky. "Ain't y0
I drinkin., Silent?" he asked
|. with some folks" said Saunders.
. Overland whirled round. "Have
drink with me. then"