The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1920-11-04
PART /
Curly.
CHAPTER I.

q =
Following 4 Crooked Trail.
3 Across Dry valley dust cloud had
been moving for hours. 1t rolled into
Saguache at the brisk heels of a bunch
of horses just about the time the town
was settling itself to supper. From
out of the heart of 1t cantered q 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 Elan.
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. a red
haired young fellow Of about the same
age as Curly, swung stifay from the
saddle.
me for a square meal first off," he
gave out promptly.
mot till we've finished this business,
Mac. Wen put deal right through If
Warren's here" decided third MEM
Der of the party. He was tough-look-
Ing customer Of nearly fifty. bad Bill"
Cranston he was called. and the man
looked as IL he had earned his sobri-
quet.
"And what II he amt hereY snarled
Lutte Blackwell. "Are you aiming to
sit down and whit for him?''
"We'll cross that bridge when we
come to. Il" Bad Bill answered. "Curly.
want to ride up to the hotel and ask
IL Mr.. Dave Warren is there? Bring
him right down II he is.
d The young man cantered up the
dusty street toward the hotel.
Thought you'd fixed it with this
Warren to be right on the spot SOS
> we could unload on him prompt"
Blackwell grumbled at Cyanston 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
NJ" 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
Il that'll heal it7'
"You bet I have" The man hurried
into the stable and the red-headed COW
puncher wfnked across the back of his
horse ut Bill.
The keeper OF the stable and the
young man were still busy doctorin.
the sore when Curly arrived with War
rem. The buyer was r0und-bodiet
man with black gimlet eyes that saw
much he never told. The bargain h
drove was a hard one. but 1t did no
take long to come to terms at abou
one-third the value Of the string HI
was purchasing. Very likely he hat
his suspicious. but he did not vote
D them. No doubt they cut figure II
the price. He let 1t be underston
that he was a supply agent for tn
rebels IN Mexico. Before the bills wer
warm In the pockets of the sellers. hi
yaqueros We're mounted and wer
moving the remuda toward the
MD. Curly and Mac helped them &c
started. AS they rode back to. the cor
rnl a young man came out from th
stable. Flandrau forgot that Their
we're reasons why lie wanted Just no,
70 be stranger In the land with hi
identity not advertised. He let out
shout.
4 oh. you, Stats Davis!"
Hello. Curlyl How are thing
a-comin'?''
''Fin2 When did you blow In t
Saguache? Amt You off your ru
sOme?"
They had ridden the range togethe
and had frolicked around on doze
bOyish larks. To put 1t mildly tn
meeting was likely to prove embarras'
Ing.
"Came down to see about gettin
some cows for the old man from tn
IL Ffddleback outfit" Davis explaine'
You riding for the Bar Double MI
There was momentary silenc
tnrly's vigilant eyes met those of h
aid side partner. What did Sla
Know? Were his suspicious alread
at.iives
No I'm riding for the Map I
fsxa>," Flandrau answered evenly.
Come On, Curly. Let's 20 feed o,