The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-02-15


Let's drink aud vamoose."
Here's to the kidr' cried Overland.
strangely white and shaky.
Here's hopingr' chorused the Moon
stone riders.
None Of the Moonstone boys had sup. |
posed that Overland Red was hit. He
rode joyfully and even began u poem to
the occasion. Williams was first to no |
tlcc that Overland's speech was grow
ing thick and that his free hand clasp
cd the saddle horn
The others, riding little to the rear.
burst suddenly into boistcrous laugh
Ter. what you think. Brand?" called
Pars Long Buds jest been countin'
his fingers, and he says there Is one
missin'. He amt sure yet, but he's
countin' hard. He has to skip when he
comes to number one ON his right mitt.
Says he can't get started to count that
way
They drew rein. Williams, dismount-
ing. was bending over his companion
Overland. who had suddenly slipped
from the saddle.
where's he puncturedr' queried Bud
Light.
Williams examined the PROSTATE
man. kind of low down, and in the
SIDE 'Tain't bad, but it's bad enough
Take the Yuma colt. Pars, and fan 1t
for the canyon. Send the doc back.
and you stay with that young Win
throp and look after Collie. Your boss
is quieter for Red anyway. Tell the
doc to bring his tools along. l reckon
we'll camp over there near the hills to-
morrow"
who was it got me?" questioned
Overland as he was revived q second
time
i II don't know" replied Williams.
'aThe only distinguishin' brand on him
was one put there. 1t amt worryin'
him now"
Like old times" said Overland. try
, ing to smile
Like old times" echoed Williams.
II guess it was Parks" murmured
Overland. ''He had plenty of chance
I wasn't after him."
Slowly the group Of horsemen rode
across the desert The afternoon sur
made queer shadows Of them and theil
mounts. Billy Dime rode bent for
ward His face was white and bead
ed with sweat Overland, OH Long.
pony. was supported by Miguel ant
Brand Williams. Pars Long had dis
appeared IN the shadows Of the range
=
n One morning some three weeks aftel
the invasion Of Gophertown Bud Light
o Billy Dime and Brand Williams ap
!. peared at the Moonstone ranch Office:
Quite casually they had dismountet
and, jingling up, had asked for Walte
q Stone. Upon his appearance the young
a er men applied individually. for thei
= old places. The room slnelled Of. ciga
rette smoke and antiseptics. Quite q
Il though nothing unusual had happene'
! the rancher reinstated them..
n Have a good time, boys" he asked
+ Yes. sir; very good time; better tha
we expected" replied Billy Dime. Bu
9 Light nodded
. Stone looked hard at Billy Dime
bandaged arm Miguel and Parse
!, Long have good time also?"
= Stayed to help Overland Red wor
= :, the claim. Overland Red got hurt
" little doin' somethin'. He's all rigi
now"
" None of the Moonstone boys wer
:. injured?"
y Nope; not one of u.s." replied Din
blandly.
= Walter Stones eyes twinklsd, but 1
y. :. did not smile. I'VE will call it vac
ton this. time. with pay. Tell WI
= - liams to- step in here. please" And Il
H. IL rancher dismissed his embarrassed al
happy punchers with gesture.
~ The interview with Williams W,
not so brief. 1.-The boys came out Of
% all right?" asked. Stone. shaking lan'
~ with his old foreman.
es "Yes, sir"
How did you manage that7"
III Didn't. They did"
ed ANY one-er-of the other side ha'
u. an accident?"
Vn "saunders-and six gents got hu
70 pretty bad"
Is. "Whew! Our boys were lucky
en- 1T was nothin' but luck that th
or ain't all back there now-on the sar
Is You see, the Gophertown outfit are
We what you'd call good with gun. +
rs. it was kind Of surprise, the spres
lar in of the thing from Reds little
vate deal to a six hand game.
II sure was lucky"
"And Collier
ed Williams shook his head. Il do
he know. We thought he had crossed ov
Seems he took new holt The I
r." and Winthrop brung him to Los In
ub automobile He's at the hospital.
sa- they say he don't pick up any since
The come there
"An right. Brand. l think that
7il- ALL"
ms How about my name goin' back
= the books?' asked Williams.
."It hasn't been OF the books.
know, Louise attends to the til
sheet"
Williams nodded. II expect Mig
bile and Parson Long will be snii
rite around lookin' for job before 10
me They agreed to stay with Red till
ave got OH his feet again. But they
in him they would so just as soon as
two was all right. for you couldn't
AXE your ranch without 'em."
an Walter Stone smiled broadly. "Yo'
en- foreman. Brand"
,ne, "They was fightin' just as much
IDS: the name Of the old Moonstone as
T. Collie or for fun" said Williams