Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-02-01
CHAPTER IX-Continued.

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Buck got up awkwardly and went
stumbling down the steep slope with
his hands trembling in the air upon
either side of his head. From their
nervous quivering it was evident that
his memory was good and that it was
working upon the subject which Ward
had suggested to him. He did not give
Ward the weakest imitation of an ex-
euse to shoot. And so the two of them
came presently down upon the level
and passed around the cabin to the
door with no more than ten feet OF
space between them. so inexorably had
Ward crowded close upon the others
stumbling progress.
Hold on a minutei"
Buck stopped as still as though he
had gone against a rock wall.
Ward came closer, and Buck finch
ed away from the feel of the rifle muz-
zle between his shoulder blades. Ward
reached out cautious hand and pulled
the six shooter from its holster at
Bucks right hip.
Got a knife? You always used to
go heeled with one. Speak up and
don't lie about it,"
Inside my coat" grunted Buck, and
Wards lip curled while he reached
around the mans bulky body and found
the knife in its leather sheath. Evil
IDENTIFY Buck was still remembering
with disquieting exactness what rea-
sons Ward might have for wanting to
kill him.
Take down your left hand and open
the door"
Buck did so and put his hand up
again without being told.
wow go in and stand with your face
TO the wall" With the rife muzzle
Ward indicated which wall. He no
ticed how Bucks fingers CROPPED and
trembled against the wall, Just under
the caves. and his lip curled again in
the expression which Billy Louise so
hated TO see.
Ward had chosen the spot where he
could reach easily a small coil of rope.
He kept the rife pressing Bucks Shout
ders until he had shifted the knife into
one hand, leaned and laid its blade
against Bucks cheek.
Feel that? I'll jab it clear through
you if you give me a chance. Drop
your hands down behind you" He
spent a busy minute with the rope be-
fore he pushed Buck Olney roughly to-
ward a chair.
Buck sat down. and Ward did a lit
tie more rope work.
Say, Ward, you're making a big
mistake if you"
"Shut up.' snapped Ward. Cant
you see I'm standing all 1 can stand
Just with the sight OF you? Don't pile
it on too thick by letting me hear you
talk. / heard you once too often as
it is
Buck Olney caught his breath and sat
very still His eyes followed Ward
as the eyes of a Gagged animal follow
its keeper.
Ward tried to ignore his presence
completely while he lighted fire and
fried bacon and made coffee, but the
hard set of his jaw and the cold in
tentness of his eyes proved how con-
scious he was of Bucks presence. he
tried to eat just to show how calm he |
was. but the bread and bacon choked |
him. He could feel every nerve In his |
body culver with the hatred he felt for |
the man and the bitterness which the |
sight of him called up out of the past |
He drank four cups Of coffee, black 4
and sweetened at random, which /
steadied him little That he did not 4
offer Buck food or drink showed how 4
intense was his hatred. As a rule. your (
true range man is hospitable even to
his enemies.
He rose and inspected the ropes TO
make sure that they were proof against
twisting. straining muscles and took
an extra turn or two with the loose
end just to make doubly sure Of the
mans helplessness.
where did you leave your horseY
he asked him CURLY when he was
through.
Buck told him, his eyes searching
Wards face for mercy or at least FOR
some clew to his fate and dulling with
disappointment because he could read
nothing there but loathing.
Without speaking again Ward went
put and closed the door firmly behind
i'm He felt relieved to be away from