The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-01-10
CHAPTER WI
Desert Law

CHAPTER WI
Desert Law
Away out In the night OF stars
and silence piodded tho patient
burro. and beside him shuffled
Overland Red and BIlly Winthrop
An hour OF plodding thru the
dusk. two hours. and they were a'
n waterholc near the northern
hills Overland unroped one OF the
packs. made n fire. and presently
had some hot coffee for his coin
panlou. who Was pretty We'll used
up
You take IL easy and don
worry. said Overland This here
eoffcoli fix you right
DO you think they will follow
u.s." Winthrop asked presently.
As sure as snakes" said over
land And this here waterhole Is
the first place th.y'll strike for
They'll wait til mornin' to find our
trail"
When they do find IT,
I'm show EN- a Mexican trlcl
wl,h a hole In g. You 80 g. sleep
o. rdner
The moon rolled doWn to th,
rim OF the world The little
fire died down Overland. cross
legged ON his blanket. smoked
moodily. Winthrop stirred rest
leaaly.
Overland looked across a. the
mutfled form. lie rose quietly ant
gathered tho few campuienEils TO
gcthor and CROPPED s,calthily toward
tho burro lie ropcd the pack
Winthrop slept heavily.
Guess I'll 70 back and re, that
gun" muttered Overland. Il nigh,
need two. anyway. he might wax,
up and plug his old friend the con
stable before he knowed Il. | ain''
givln' a whoop for tho constable
but don't want 90 see the kid Ec'
I In wrong
Then Overland led the burrc
round the camp In vidc circle
from which he hranched toward
tho hills TO the north. For hours
he journcyed across the starllt
emptiness
II was light when tho tramp rc'
back to tho water hole. ilc crcp'
behind sharp dip In tho hum
mockH The crest OF hiE hiding
place was covered with brush.
With the sun came tho faint thud
OF hoofs as two riders came wariiy
M TO the water.holc One dis
mounted and stopped over Win
throp.
Say. vhere's your pal. that there
Overland Rod guy" asked the con
stable. shaking Winthrop awake
and glaring at him with a blcarcd
and baleful eye
Tho Fastener sat up. couEhed
and blinkcd In tho dawn. Where
IL what? why. good-morning
You're up early" And his eve
swept tho empty camp. So Over
land Red had deserted him. after
all. I haven't any pal. az you can
soc. I'm out here studying inscc,
life. as | told YOU | would be. yes
terday."
See here" shouted the con
stable. you cough up where Over
land Red is or thercll be somethin
doin' You doped that booze yes.
I terday."
II did WHAT Please talk slowly. '
You doped that booze YOU"
Much TO the constables aurprIss
he found himself sitting on win
throp's blankets.
Winthrop smiling serenely
nodded Sorry 10 have TO do Il
I know don't look like that kind
and I'm not. but | happen to know
how
The constable got to his feet
The horseman admired Win.
throp's attitude. lie rode between
them. Cut II out. Hicks" no said
You're actin locoed. I'll talk.
We're losing time See here,
stranger
Overland, watching and listening
from bis hiding place. grinned as
the constable snllcnly mounted his
horse.
Winthrop politely but firmly dc.
clined TO acknowledge he had had
companion.
The horsemen rode away. follow.
ing the circle OF burro tracks to
ward the hills Winthrop watched
them.
/ He could hardly believe tho
tramp had deserted him. yet the
evidence was pretty plain Even
his revolver was gone. and his belt
and cartridges. Winthrop was
hungry. There was no food But
there was water. lie walked to.
ward tho waterhole.
Stand stlll-and listen" said n
voice.
The voice seemed to come from
the wator-hole at his feet.
over here-this way" the voice
said.
Winthrop smiled. n II were n
disembodied spirit talking. II was
no other than the spirit OF over.
land Red. The accent was unmis.
taxable The Fastener glanced
round and observed a peculiar
something behind the brush edg.
Ing the rise beyond the waterholc.
IT'S me- said Overland. still con
cealed. Thought quit you. oh?
Are them folks out OF sight YETI"
m.