Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-01-03
CHAPTER XIV.


spread its shifting sands, fertile in the
south along the Rio Grande. A rail-
road marked an undev'-t'ng course
across Ave hundred n9kih Of this
country, and the only lNafages and
towns lay on or near this line of steel.
Unsettled as was this western Texas,
and despite the acknowledged domi-
nance Of the outlaw bands, the
pioneers pushed steadily into it.
The Rio Grande flowed almost due
south along the western boundary for
q thousand miles, and then, weary of
Its course, turned abruptly north, to
make what was called the Big Bend.
The railroad, running west, cut across
this bend, and all that country bound
ed on the north by the railroad and
on the south by the river was as wild
as the Staked Plains. Across the face
OF this Big Bend, as If to isolate 1t,
stretched the Ord mountain range. In
the valleys Of the foothills and out
across the plains were ranches, and
farther north. villages, and the towns
of Alpine and Maria.
Like other parts of the great Lone
Star State, this section of Texas was
q world in itself-a world where the
riches of the rancher We're ever en-
riching the outlaw. The village closest
to the gateway Of this outlaw-infested
region was little place called Ord.
named after the dark peak that doomed
some miles to the south.
Toward the close of a day in Sep
TENDER stranger rode into Ord, and
in a community where all men were
remarkable for one reason or another
he excited interest. His horse, per-
haps, received the first and most en-
gaging observation-disclosures in that region
being apparently more important than
men. This particular horse at first
glance seemed ugly. But he was a
giant, black as coal, huge in every
way. A bystapder remarked that he
had grand head. His face was solid
black, except in the middle of his fore
head, where there was q round spot
of white.
The rider, like his horse, was a giant
in stature, but rangier, not so heavily
built. otherwise the only striking
thing about him was his somber face
with it's piercing eyes, and hair white
over the temples. He packed two
guns, both low dOwn-but that was
too common thing to attract notice
in the Big Bend A close observer,
however. would have noted a singular
fact-this riders right hand was
more bronzed, more Nweather-beaten
than his left. He never wore glove
on that right hand!
He had dismounted before ram
shackle structure that bore upon its
wide, high-boarded front the sign,
"Hotel." The hotel had a wide plat
form in front, and this did duty as
porch and sidewalk. Upon it, and
leaning against hitching-rail. were
men Of varying ages, most Of them
sloyenly in old jeans and slouched
sombreros. Some were booted, belted
and spurred. No man there wore a
coat, but all wore vests. The guns
in that group would have outnumbered
the men.
It was crowd seemingly too lazy
to be curious. These men were idlers ;
what else, perhaps. was easy to con-
lecture. Certainly to this arriving
stranger, who flashed keen eye over
them, they wore an atmosphere never
associated with work.
Presently tall man, with droop-
Ing, sandy mustache, leisurely detach-
ed himself from the crowd.
"Howdy, stranger" he said.
The stranger had bent Over to
loosen Che cinches; he stratghtened mp
and nodded. Then: I'm thirsty"
That brought Il broad smile to faces.
1t was characteristic greeting. one
and all trooped after the stranger into
the hotel. 1t was dark. ill-smelling
barn of a place, with q bar as high as
short mans head. A bartender with
SCARED face was serving drinks.
slime up, gents" said the stranger.
They piled over one another to get
to the bar, with coarse jests and oaths
and laughter. None Of them noted
that the stranger did not appear SO
thirsty as he claimed to be. In fact,
though he went through the motions.
he did not drink at all.
my names Jim Fletcher" said the
tall man with the dropping, sandy
mustache. He spoke laconically, never
theless there was tone that
showed he expected to be known.
Something went with that name. The
stranger did not appear to be I'M
pressed.
my name might be Blazes, but 1t
amt" he replied. 'What do you call
this burg?'
stranger, this heah metropolis
bears the handle Ord. Is tibet new to
you?"
He leaned back against the bar, and
now his little yellow eyes. clear as
crystal, flawless as hawks. fixed on
the stranger. Other men crowded
close, forming a circle, curious. ready
to be friendly or otherwise, according
to how the tall interrogator marked
the newcomer.
"Sure, Ord's little strange 20 me.
or the railroad some, amt 1T Funny
trails hePeaboutA"
"How fur was you goin'r'
II reckon I was goin' as far 40 !
could" replied the stranger, with .