The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-12-08
CHAPTER TX.

Both men were awake early, silent
with the premonition of trouble ahead,
thoughtful of the fact that the time
for the long-planned action was at
hand.
Buck, the sooner the better now"
Euchre finally declared, with Il CLINT
In his eye. 'The more time we use up
now the less surprised Bland IL be"
I'm ready when you are" replied
Duane, quietly, and he rose from the
table.
IVA. saddle up, then" went on
Euchre, gruffiy. "Tie on them two
packs | made, one fer each saddle.
You can't tell-mebbe either boss will
be carryin' double. It's good they're
both big, strong bosses. Guess thet
wasn't a wise % of your Uncle
Euchre's-bringin' in your bosses an
havin' them readyf"
"Euchre, / hope you're not going to
get In bad here. I'm afraid you are.
Let me do tbs rest now" said Duane.
The old outlaw eyed him sarcastic
cally.
"Thet d be turrible now, wouldn't
It? If you want to know, why I'm
In bad already. l didn't tell you thet
Alloway called me last night. He's
gettin wise pretty quick"
"Euchre, you're going with mef
queried Duane, suddenly divining the
truth.
wal, / reckon. Either to hell or
safe over the mountain Now, Buck,
you dc some hard fggerin' while | go
nosin round. It's pretty early, which
s all the better"
Euchre put on his sombrero, and as
he went out Duane saw that he wore
a gun-and-cartridge belt. 1t was the
first, time Duane had ever seen the
outlaw armed.
Duane packed his few belongings
into his saddle-bags. and then carried
the saddles out of the corral. The
hour had arrived, and he was ready.
Time passed slowly. Finally he
heard the shuttle of Euchre's boots
ON the hard path. The sound was
quicker than usual.
When Euchre came around the
corner of the cabin Duane was not so
astounded as he was concerned to see
the outlaw white and shaking. Sweat
dripped from him. He had a wild look.
Luck ours-so-fur, Buck!' he
painted.
"You don't look It," replied Duane
I'm turrible sick. Jest killed a man.
Fust one l ever killed."
"Who?" asked Duane, startled.
"Jackrabbit Benson. An sick as
am, I'm gloryin' In it. / went nosin'
round up the road. Saw Alloway goin'
into Deger's. He's thick with the
Degers. Reckon he's askin' questions
Anyway, l was sure glad to see him
away from BANDS. An he didn't see
me. When / dropped into Bensons
there wasn't nobody there but Jack
rabbit an some greasers he was start
in to work. Benson never had no use
fer me. An he up an said he wouldn'
give a two-bit piece fer my life.
asked him why.
"'You're double-crossin' the boss an
Chess he said.
Jack, what d you give fer you
own life?' l asked him.
"He Strengthened up surprised an
mean-lookin'. An | let him have II
plumb centeri He wilted, an tn
greasers run. l reckon TIL sleel
again. But l had to do 1t"
Duane asked if the shot had attract
! ed IN attention outside.
81 didn't see anybody but the greas
ers. an | sure looked sharp. Comm
back l cut across through the cotton
woods past BANDS cabin plumb int
Beppo, an when | inquired OF his pos
| he said Bland had been up all nigh
|, hghtin' with the Sonora. We're pret'.
| lucky" =,
| TT seems so. Well, I'm going" SAT-
, Duane tersely. !.
ar..LvG shauld SMILE Bland