The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1918-08-15

"Cut II out, BIZ. That line o. talk
don't buy you anything" said Holwny
CURLY. "What's the use Of beeflngf"
"Now you're shouting, my friend"
agreed old Gideon. II guess. Elliot,
you can loosen up on the chefs throat
awhile. He's hid persuading enough
don't you reckon? I'll sit here and
sortcr keep the boys company while
you cut the pnck.ropes md bring EN-
here. But first I'd step In and unlond
oil the hardware they're packing. II
you don't one of them Is likely to get
anxious. I'd hate to see any Of them
commit suicide with none of their
friends here to say. Don't he look nat
ural?'"
Elliot brought back the pack.ropes
and cut them into suitable lengths.
Hollis monologue rafnbled on. He was
g%arrulous and affable. Not for a long
time had he enjoyed himself so much.
Gordon tied the hands OF Big BIZ
behind him, then ropcd his feet togeth-
or, after which he did the same for
Holway. The old miner superintendent
the job and was not satisfied TIL he
had added a few extra knots on his
own behalf.
"Thatll hold them for awhile. ]
shouldn't wonder. Now II you'll just
cover friend chef with this sawed.off
gat, Elliot, I'll throw the diamond
hitch over what supplies well need to
get back to- Karnntlah. I'll take one
bronch and leave the other to the ron
victs," said Holt cheerfully.
Forget that convict stun" growled
Macy. with Macdonald back of us
and the Guttcnchilds back OF him,
you'll have n hectic time getting any
thing on u.s."
"That might be true II these folks
were back Of you. But are they?
Course | amt any Sherlock Holmes,
but 1t don't look to me like they'd play
any such fool system MS this"
After Holt had packed one Of the
animals he turned to Elliot.
II reckon we're ready"
Under orders from Elliot Dud fixed
up the Smudgcs and arranged the mos
quito netting over the bound men so
rs to give them all the protection pos.
sible.
Were going to take Dud with us
for q part Of the trip. Wen send him
back to you later in the day. You'll
' have to fast till he gets back. but out.
side OF that you'll 10 very well II you
don't roll around trying to get loose
DO that, md you'll Jar loose the mos.
quito netting. You know what that
menus" explained Gordon.
at Amt likely any grizzlies will
come pokin' their noses Into cnmp. But
you n tell. Any last words
Z you want sent to r~elatlves?" asked
Gideon Holt.
: The last words they heard from Big
Bill as they moved down the draw
were sulphurlc.
1t was three o'clock In the morning
by the watch when they started. About
nine they threw or for breakfast. by
this time they were just across the
divide and were ready to take the
down trail.
~ think we'll let bud go now" El.
hot to,' his partner In the adventure.
Better hold him till afternoon. Then
they can't possibly reach us till we
: get 10 Knmatlah."
: "What docs II matter II they do?
We have both rifles 0nd have left them
!, only n revolver. Besides, / don't
! Ike 70 leave two bound men alone In
| so wild n district for any great time.
= No, Wen start bud on the back trail.
That grizzly you promised Zig Bill
might really turn up"
The two men struck the hcadwntors
Of Wild Goose creek about noon and
} followed the stream down. They trav-
clcd steadily without haste. So long
MS they kept q good lookout there was
nothing to be feared from the men
, they had left behind. They had both
a long start and the advantage OF
weapons.
} II Elliot had advertised for n year
; he could not have found n man Nho
knew more of Colby Macdonald's past
than Gideon Holt. The old man had
worked q claim on Frenchman creek
with him aud had by sharp practice
so NJ least he had come 10 believe
been lnwed out OF his rights by the
SIll'Nh p'blSllluu' w StN'liNtfH NtiIS
] he had nursed II grudge against Mac
! donald, and he was never tired If talk
Ing about him. One story In p%articu-
lar Interested Gordon.
"rhcre was Farrell O'Nclll. lie was
n good fellow, Farrell was, but he had
7 Just one weakness. There was times
when he liked the bottle too well. He'd
let It alone for months and then Just
lap the stun up. 1t was the time of
the stampede To Bonanza creek. Well.
the news Of the strike on Bonanza
reached Dawson and we all burnt up
the trail TO get TO the new ground
first. 0'Nelll was one OF the first. lie
got In about twenty below Discovery,
II / remember. Mac wasn't In Dawson
but he got there mex mo'nin' and
heard the news. He lit out for Bo-
} nanza pronto."
The old miner stopped. took a chew
OF tobacco, and looked down into the
valley far below where Kamatlah
could Just DO seen, a little huddle Of
huts.