The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-11-20
CHAPTER n.

subtle shock pervaded his spirit. II
had slipped his mind-the consequence
of his act. But sight of the horse Inc
the look Of his uncle recalled the fact
that he must now become a fugitive.
An unreasonable anger took hold of
him.
""That ID fool" he exclaimed
holly. Meeting Balm wasn't much,
Uncle jim. He busted my boots, that's
all. And for that I've got to go on
the dodge"
"Son, you killed him-thenT" asked
the uncle, huskily.
"Yes. / stood over hlm-watched
him die. l did as / would have been
done by"
81 knew 1t. Long ago 1 saw 1t COM
In. But now we can't stop to cry
over split blood. You've got to leave
town an this part of the country"
Mother I" exclaimed Duane.
"She's away from home. You can
wait. I'll break 1t to her-what she
always feared"
Suddenly Duane sat down and COW
cred his face with his hands.
my God Uncle, what have | done?"
His broad shoulders shook.
Listen, son, an remember what 1
say" replied the elder man, earnestly.
Don't ever forget. You're not to
blame. I'm glad to see you take 1t this
way, because maybe you'll never grow
hard an callous. You're not to blame.
This is Texas. You're your fathers
son. These are wild times. The law
as the ranger are laying it down now
can't change life all in a minute"
"Tm a, murderer" said Duane, shud-
dering.
"No, son, you're not. An you never
will be. But you've got to be an out
law till time makes 1t safe for you to
come home"
IAN outlaw"
81 said 1t. II we had money an In
huence, we'd risk a trial. But we've
neither. Strike for the wild country,
an wherever you go an whatever you
do-be a man. You can't come home.
When this thing is lived down, If that
time ever comes, I'll get word into the
unsettled country. It'll reach you
some day. That's all. Remember, be
a man. Good-by."
Duane, with blurred sight and n
tracing throat, gripped his uncle's
hand and babe him a wordless fare
well. Then he leaped astride h back
and rode out of town.
--.sfkt., a~ r-ou rnnGfCfnnf with "a
care for his steed, Duane put a dis
lance of fifteen or eighteen miles
behind him. He passed several
ranches, and was seen by men. This
did not suit him, and he took an old
trail across country. 1t was a f1at
region with a poor growth of mesquite
and prickly-pear cactus. Occasionally
he caught a glimpse of low hills In the
distance. He had hunted often In that
section, and knew where to find grass
and water. When he reached this
higher ground he did not, however
halt AT the first favorable camping
spot. but went on and on.
At last he found a secluded spot, un-
der cover of thick mosquitoes and oaks
at a goodly distance from the old trail
He took saddle and pack off the horse,
made a small fire, prepared and ate his
supper. This done, ending the worR
of that day, he sat down and'n lled Ms
pine. When night set in and the
place seemed all the more isolated ano
lonely for that Duane had q sense OF
relief.
1t dawned upon him all at once ina
he was ervous, watchful, sleepless
The fact caused him surprise, ana NJ
began TO think back, to take note o.
his late actions and their motives. Ih'
change one day had wrought amazed
him. He who had always been Tree
easy, happy, especially when out alon'
in the open, had become in a few shor
hours bound. serious, preoccupied. III
felt tired, yet had no inclination Z
rest. He intended to be off by dawn
eading toward the southwest. Ha'
no n destination? Ii vas vague as hi
knowledge of that great waste o
mesouite and rock bordering the ri
| Grande. Somewhere out there was
refuge. For he was a fugitive rroI
Justice, an outlaw.
This being an outlaw then mean
eternal vigilance. No home, no resi-
no sleep, no content, no life worth IN
uv,npi He must be q lon wolf or n
must herd among men obnoxious I
him. II he worked for an honest iS
|, ing. he still must hide his Identity an
/, take risks of detection. II he ala no
! work on some distant, outlying rancf
Z. how was he to liver The Idea 0
stealing was repugnant to him. IN
J future seemed gray and somoe
B enough. And he was twenty-five
! years old. -.
I Rnt what was the matter Win th
o~.nGra9 IL had taken o