The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1920-01-15
PART |
Curly.
Following a Crooked Trail.
CHAPTER I.

Following a Crooked Trail.
Across Dry valley a dust cloud had
Jeen 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 it cantered rider,
who swung his pony as on 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-
err chaps of a vaQuerO. Under other
conditions he might have been a col
lege freshman for age. but the cOmpe-
tent cOnfidel zee of manhood sat easily
on his brOaI shoulders. Curly Flan-
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 inclosure One of them, d red
haired young fellow of about the same
age as Curly, swung stifdy from the
saddle.
ME for a square meal first off," he
gave out promptly.
Not till we've finished this business,
Mac. Well 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"
Cr;lnstOn he was called, and the man
looked as if he had earned his sobri-
quet.
"And what if he amt here?" snarled
Lutte Blackwell. Are you aiming to
sit down and wait for him?"
"We1l cross that bridge when we
come to it," Bad Bill answered. Curly,
want to ride up to the hotel and ask
if Mr. Dave Warren is there? Bring
him right down if he is"
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 Cranston with
out looking toward the latter.
ST 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
Mp" 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 a right lively gait"
Mae cut in. shoulder of my brOnc's
chafed from the saddle. Got anything
that'n 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 still busy doctoring
the sore when Curly arrived with War
rem. The buyer was a round-bodied
man with black gimlet eyes that saw
much he never told. The bargain he
drove was a hard one. but 1t did not
take long to come to terms at about
one-third the value OF the string ne
was purchasing. Very likely he had
his suspicious. but he did not voice
them. No dou:it they cut figure IN
the price. He let 1t be understood
that he was a supply agent for the
rebels in Mexico. Before the bills We're
warm in the pockets of the sellers, MS
vaqueros we're mounted and were
moving the re.nuda toward the border.
Curly and Mac helped them gel
starte~.. AS they rode back to the cor
raj yeaaS man came out from the