The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-09

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individual, slouching up to Win
throp.
"a little" said Winthrop. "Will
you kindly give me a hand with
this monstrosity," indicating the
pack. 1.-The agent seems to be
busy"
Sure! She amt roped very
tight"
Which proved to be true. The
bundle slowly sagged, opened, and
things began to trickle from 1t in
Its journey across the platform.
Among the things was a bottle OF
brandy. The lank individual picked
this up tenderly and set 1t to one
side. Winthrop noticed his solicit
tude and smiled.
1--WE can rope 'em up again."
said the lank one, suddenly becom-
ing enthusiastic. My names Jim
Hicks. I'm constable here"
81 see. Well, I'm William Win
throp, from Los Angeles. I'm a
naturalist. VIII you accept a CT
gar?"
Thanks. You want to pack this
here bottle, too?"
mot right away. Whew! 1t is
getting hot. I'd like to get in the
shade somewhere
There's old FeEnando's 'dobe
down the track under them pepper
trees. He's q friend of mine. He
amt to home today. Mebby you'd
like to set down there and wait for
your friend"
my friend?"
"Why, amt you waitin' for any
body? You amt goin' to tackle
that bug-huntin' trip alone, be
you? Now, l have took folks out
and only charge four dollars a day
and grub"
Il thought you said you were
constable?"
so ! be. Takin' parties across
the desert is on the side. How far
you figurin' on goin'?"
II haven't made up my mind
yet. Say we go down as far as the
adobe you spoke about, as a be-
ginning. Perhaps We can arrange
terms"
I'm on, pard," said the con-
stable.
Under the pepper trees shading
Fernando's adobe sat Winthrop
and the constable. The brandy
bottle was half empty and a box
of cigars was open beside 1t on the
bench.
"S this way" said the constable,
waving his cigar. You're fren'
of mine-sure thing. 8 afternoon
now, but l was plumb fooled this
Thought you was the
guy I'm looking for. H'overlan'
Red-bum-tram'. Wire from
Loshangeles to upperan' him II he
shows up here. Thousand dollars
rewar' FIR appr'enshun of 'Verlan'
Red. Thought you WIS him-hic
.hee! heel"
Far down the line came the dis
tant blast of a locomotive. The
local freight from Los Angeles was
for the "block."
What train is that?" asked the
fastener.
The constable's eyelids dropped,
then opened languidly. "Railro'
train, 4 course" And he slid to
the bench. Presently he snored. -,
Winthrop strolled toward the
approaching train. Pretty stiff
session." he commented. NOW IL
happy chance should bring Over
land Red on this freight, with his
burro outfit, I'll have one reason
to offer for wanting to go with |
him."
The great locomotive roared in.
A car was cut out and shunted to |
a siding. Then the engine SIM
mered away in the dusk.
A figure leaped from the freight
car to the ground. Then out came
a burro and several bundles. The
figure strobe to the station and
filled two canteens. When he of
the burro and canteens returned,
he found Winthrop stroking the
little animals nose.
What the! How the Who
lost you out here?" asked Over
land.
Winthrop spoke rapidly and to
the point. Express this morning.
Lonesome again. Thought I'd make
a change. My outfit is over at the
station. Don't say No before you
hear me. You're going to need me
and ALL"
"But you can't"
wait. The local constable has
a wire from the Los Angeles police
to look out for you. The constable !
has been my-er-my guest since |
He is asleep now. had |
to do it. He told me, after the sew
enth glass, he was looking for you.
Come on over to the station and |
inspect my outfit. / think we had
better vanish"
Overland breathed once, deeply.
Lead me to it," he exclaimed. |