Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1918-07-05

WUIlNtu " lnMl AulNMu VI IUAIhU NNLNL
upward from his rusty stovepipe, but
he slept out under the stars rolled In
hls heavy blanket. and he never cross
cd a ridge n he could make his way
through q hollow. II II not always
cowardice which makes a man ex.
tremcly careful not to fall Into the
hands OF his enemy. There IL n small
matter OF pride involved. Ward would
have died almost any death rather
than give Buck Olney the satisfaction
OF getting him. For n few days he
was cautious Ms an Indian on the wal
trail. and then his patience fraxzled
out under the strain.
At sunrise one morning, after q night
OF ~shivering In his blanket, he hunched
his shoulders In disgust OF his caution.
II Buck Oiney wanted anything Of
him he was certainly taking his time
about coming after H. Ward rubbed
his fingers over his stubbly jaw, and
the uncomfortable prickling was the
last small detail OF discomfort that de-
cided him. He was going to have q
shave and a decent cup OF coffee and
eat OF his own table or know the rea-
son why. he promised himself while
he slapped the saddle IN Rather.
He was camped In a sheltered little
hollow In the hills, where the grass
was good and there was n spring. 10
was a mile and more 10 his claim,
straight across the upland. and II was
his habit 90 leave Rather there and
walk over 10 the ridge, where he could
watch his claim. Frequently, as l have
said, he stole down before daylight and
lighted a fire In the stove just TO make
II look as II he lived there. There was
a risk In that. OF course, granting that
tho stock inspector was the kind 10 lie
In wait for him.
Ward rode to the ridge with his blan-
ket rolled and tied behind the cantle.
His frying pan hung behind his leg.
and his rifle lay across the saddle In
front OF him. lie was going homo
boldly enough and recklessly enough,
but he was by no means disposed to
walk deliberately into q trap. He kept
his eye peeled, as he would have ex-
pressed II. Also he left Rather just
under tho crest OF the ridge. took OF
his spurs aud with his rife In his
hands went forward afoot, as he had
done every time he had approached his
cabin since the day he found the cor
raj and the cattle In tho canyon.
In this wise he looked down the steep
slope with the sun throwing the shad-
ow OF his head and shoulders before
him. The cabin window blinked cheer
fully In the sunlight. His span OF
mares were coming up from the mead
OWN the faint hope OF getting a
breakfast OF oats, perhaps. Tho place
!. looked peaceful enough and cozily de-
J slrable TO q mnn who has slept out for
: -four nights late In the fall, but a glance
, was all Ward gave TO II.
: His eyes searched the blum below him
. and upon either side. OF n sudden they
|, s%harpened. He brought his rifle Cor
= ward with an Involuntary motion OF
. the arms. lie stood so for a breath Of
: two, looking down the hill. Then he
y went forward stenlthily on his toes
swiftly, too, so that presently he wat
: close enough to see the carbuncle sea-
> on the neck OF the man crouched be
. hind "A rock ana watching the cabir
. az a cat watches n mouse hole. A rinl
' lay across the rock before the man
y the muzzle pointing downward. A
that distance and from a dead res
II II would be strange II he should mis-
Ie any object he shot at. He had wha
'e gamblers call a cinch, or he would hav
had II the man he watched for ha'
10 not been standing directly behind hir
with rifle sights In a line with the sea
on the back OF his thick neck.
Throw up your hnndsF' Ward Gale
sharply when his first fare OF rag
% had cooled to steady purpose.
.t Buck Olney jumped as though a ye
,a low jacket had stung him. He turne
M a startled face over his shoulder an
IN jerked the rifle up from the rock. Wa
an raised his sights n little and plugged
10 round, black trimmed hole throug
u. Bucks hat crown.
In 'Throw up your hnnds, l told you
ed he said. while the hills opposite we
still Alngtng back the sound OF d
to shot. and came closer.
ds Buck grunted an oath. dropped Il
rifle so suddenly that It clattered
les the rock and lifted his hands high
tn the quiet sunlight.
ds get up from there aud go on dow
lid to the shack-and keep your hands u
cd And remember all the reasons I've z
,ot for wanting 10 see you make n crook
ed move so I'll have an excuse 10 shoot
en- Ward came still closer as he spoh
list He was wishing he had brought
rope along. He did not feel quite Gu
I'm his mind while Buck Olney's han
NJ. were free.