Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1918-04-04


muscle ready and every nerve under
tension. flung aside his blanket and
hurled himself at the guard. 1t took
him less time than 1t takes to tell to
wrest the gun from the cook.
He got to his feet just as Big BILL
his eyes and brain still logged with
sleep, sat up and began to take notice
of the disturbance.
"Don't move" warned Holt sharply.
Better throw your hands up. No
monkey business, do you hear? I'd as
lief blow hole through you as not"
Big Bill turned bitterly to Elliot.
$50 you were taking all the time,
young fellow. We save your life and
you round on us. You're pretty slick
proposition as double-crosser"
"And that amt ALL" chirped up Holt
blithely. Let me introduce our friend
to you, Mr.. Big Bill Macy. This Is
Gordon Elliot, the land agent ap-
pointed to look over the Kamatlah
claims. Selfridge gave you lads this
penitentiary job so as wouldn't meet
Elliot when he reached the camp. II
he hadn't been so darned anxious
about it, our young friend would have
died here on the divide. But Mr.. Self
ridge kindly QUILTED party and sent
us a hundred miles into the hills to
rescue the perishing, as the old sayin'
goes. Consequence Is, Elliot and me
meet up and have that nice cOnfiden-
| tial talk after all. TIE ways Of Prov
idence is strange, as you might say,
Mr.. Macy"
Your trick" conceded Big Bill sui
lenly. snow what are you going to
sure you do. Hustle over ana neIp
bud with the breakfast, Holt. I'll look
out for our friend"
Elliot and Holt found no more
chance to talk together that morning.
Sometimes the young government Of
fetal lay staring straight In front Of
him. Sometimes he appeared to doze.
Again he would talk In the disjointed
way of one not clear in the head.
An. opportunity came In the after
noon for a moment.
keep your eyes skinned for a
chance to lay out the guard tonight
and get his gun," Holt said quickly.
Gordon nodded. II don't know that
I've got to do everything just as you
say" he complained aloud for the
benefit Of George. who was passing
on his way to the place where the
horses were hobbled.
"Now-nowl There amt nobody
trying to boss you," Holt explained In
a patient voice.
They'd better not" snapped the In
valid.
Some scrapper-that KID" said the
horse wrangler with a grin.
Macy took the first watch that
night. He turned in at two after he
had reused bud to take his place. The
cook had been on duty about an hour
when Elliot kicked Holt, who was
sleeping beside him, to make sure that
he was ready. The old man answered
the kick with another.
Presently Gordon got up, yawned
and strolled toward the edge of the
camp.
Don't go and get lost, young fell
low" cautioned bud.
Gordon, ON his way back, passed be-
hind the guard, who was sitting tailor
fashion before a smudge with a muley
shotgun across his knees.
"This amt no country for checha-
koes to be wandering around without
a keeper" the cook continued. Looks
like your folks would have better
sense than to let their rah-rah boy"
He got no farther. Elliot dropped to
one knee and his strong fingers closed
do with usT
mot thing-going to leave you
right here to prospect Wild Goose
creek" answered Holt blandly. Dur
den says there's gold up here-heaps
Of it."
Bill Macy condemned burden In Ian
guage profane and energetic. he
didn't stop at burden. Holt came In
for a share Of it. also Elliot and Self
ddge.
"Cut 1t out, Bill. That line O. talk
don't buy you anything" said Holway
CURLY. whats tile use Of beefing"
Nov you're shouting, my friend"
agreed old Gideon. II guess, Elliot
/ sOo Noi iOOoCh up VII TIC Cficl . tilTOut
awhile. He's had persuading enough
don't you reckon7 I'll sit here and
sorter keep the boys company while
you cut the pack-ropes and bring 'em
here. But first I'd step In and unload
all 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
uralY"
Elliot brought back the pack-ropes
and cut them into suitable lengths.
Hollis monologue rambled on. He was
garrulous and affable. Not for a long
time had he enjoyed himself so much.
Gordon tied the hands of Big Bill
behind him, then roped his feet togeth-
err, after which he did the same for
Holway. The old miner superintended
the Job and was not satisfied till he
had added few extra knots on his