The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1920-01-31
PART 4
a-
\. Curly. 81.
q 3
I CHAPTER 1.


Across Dry valley dust cloud had
been moving for hours. II rolled<into
Saguache nj the brisk heels OF bunch
OF horses just about the time the town
was settling itself to supper. From
out OF the heart OF II cantered a rider.
who swung his pony as on a half dol
lar. and detected the remuda toward
Chunn's corral.
The rider was IN the broad-rimmed
felt hat the gray shirt. the plain leath-
er chaps OF vaquero. Under other
conditions he might have been a col
lege freshman for age. but the compe-
tent confidence OF manhood sat easily
on his broad shoulders. Curly F'lan-
drau had more than once looked into
the chill eyes Of death.
The leaders OF the herd dribbled into
the corral through the open gate. and
the others crowded on their heels.
Three more riders followed Curly into
the Enclosure. One OF them, red
haired young fellow OF about the same
age as Curly. swung stiffiy from the
saddle.
ME for square meal frst or" he
gave out promptly.
"Not till we've finished this business,
Mac. Wen put deal right through IL
Warren's here" decided a third mem
Der OF the party. He was tough-look-
Ing customer o. nearly fifty. bad Bill"
Crsnsson he was called, and the man
looked as IL he had earned his sobri-
onet.
AAnd what II he sin't heref" snarled
Lutte Blackwell. "Are you aiming TO
ait down and wait for himT
wen cross that bridge when we
come TO t." Bad Bill answered. "Curly,
want TO ride up to the hotel and ask
II Mr.. Dave Warren is therei Bring
him right down II he is."
The young man cantered up the
dusty street toward the hotel.
@rhought you'd fxed Il with this
Warren TO be right on the spot SOS
wc could unload on him prompt"
Blackwell grumbled at Cranston with
out looking toward the latter.
II didn't promise he'd be hanging
round your neck soon as you hit town."
Cranston retorted coolly.
The owner OF the corral sauntered
from the stable and glanced over the
bunch OF horses milling around.
"Drive all the way from Bar Double
MI" asked the keeper. his eyes on the
brand stamped on the flank of pony
circlIng past
"Yep."
Bad Bill turned away and began to
unsaddle.
Looks like you been hitting the road
at right lively gait"
Mac cut In. shoulder OF my bronc's
chafed from the saddle. Got anything
thatll heal IT."
.You bet have" The man hurried
into the stable and the red-headed cow
puncher winked across the back of his
horse at Bill.
The keeper OF the stable and the
young man were stu busy doctoring
the sore when Curly arrived with War
rem. The buyer was round-bodIed
man with black gimlet eyes that saw
much he never told. The bargain he
drove WAS hard one, but IL did not
take long TO come TO terms at about
was purchasing. Very likely he had
his suspicious. but he did not voice
them. No doubt they cut figure I'm
the price. lie let II be understood
that he was supply agent for the
rebels In Mexico. Before the bills were
warm In the pockets OF the sellers. his
vaQneros were mounted and were
moving the remudn toward the border,
Curly and Mac helped them get
started. As they rode back 20 the cor.
raj young man came out from the
stable. Flandrau forgot that there
were reasons why he wanted just now
10 be stranger In the land with his
identity not advertised. lie let out
shout.
"Oh. yon. Stats Davisi"
Hello. curlyi How are things
a-comln'f"
"F1ne. When did you blow In TO
saguacbei Amt you on your run
somew
They had ridden the range together
and had frolicked around on dozen
boylsh iarks. To put II mildly the
meeting was likely 20 prove embarrass-
Ing.
"Came down to see about getting
some cows for the old man from the
F1ddleback OUTFIT Davis explained
"You riding for the Bar Double MI"
There was momentary silence.
Curly's vigilant eyes met those OF his |
old side partner. What did Stats
knowf Were bis suspicious already
actIvef
mo. Tn riding for the Map Of
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