The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1920-01-15


''Oh, you, Stats Davis!''
Hello, Curly! How are things
a-comin'?'
Zine. When did you blow in to
Saguache? Amt you off your run
some?"
They had ridden the range together
and had frolicked around on a dozen
bOyish larks. To put it mildly the
meeting was likely to prove embarrass-
ing.
Game down to see about getting
some cows for the old man from the
Fiddleback outfit" Davis explained.
you riding for the Bar Double Mp"
There was momentary silence.
Curly's vigilant eyes met those of his
old side partner. What did Stats
know? Were his suspicious already
active?
mo, I'm riding for the Map of
Texas" Flandrau answered evenly.
"Come on, Curly. Let's go feed our
faces" Mac called from the stable.
Flandrau nodded. ''You still with
the Hashknife?" he asked Davis.
"Still with 'em. I've been raised to
assistant foreman"
Bully for you. That's great. All
right, Mac. I'm coming. That's sure
great old boss. Well, see you later.
Stats"
Flandrau followed Mac, dissatisfied
with himself for leaving his friend so
cavalierly. He guessed Stats would be
hurt. but he had to think of his part
ners in this enterprise.
AT er supper they took room at
the hotel and divided the money War
rem had paid for the horses. None
of them had slept for the last fifty
hours and Mac proposed to tumble
into bed at once.
Bad Bill shook his head. 81
wouldn't, Mac. Let's hit the trail and
do our sleeping in the hills. There's
town to suit me-"
"Sho! Our play isn't to hike out
like we were scared stiff of some
thing. What we want to do is to act
as if we could look every darned citi-
zen in the face Macs sure right"
Curly agreed.
''You kids make me tired. I'm going
to dust my prontO," Blackwell
snarled.
''Sure. Whenever you like. You
got to split up anyhow" Mac said.
Bad Bill looked at Blackwell and
nodded. That's right. We don't all
want to pull a blue streak. That
would be dead give away. Let the
kids stay if they want to-"
$50 that they can round on us if
they're nabbed." Blackwell sreered.
Cranston called him down roughly.
"That'n be enough along that line.
Lutte. / don't stand for any more
cracks like it,"
Blackwell, not three months out
from the penitentiary, faced the other
with an ugly look in his eyes. He was
always ready to quarrel, but he did
not like to fight unless he had a sure
thing.
Didn't mean any HARM" the ex-
convict growled. 'But don't like this
sticking around TOWN."
"Then 1 wouldn't stay if 1 were
you" Curly suggested promptly. Mac
and l have got a different no.
ton. So We'll tie to Saguache for a
day or two"
AS soon as the older men had gone
the others tumbled into bed and fell
asleep at once. Daylight was sitting
in through the open window before
their eyes opened. Somebody was
pounding on the bedroom door.
Mac was already out of bed when
his partners feet hit the floor.
whats up, Mac?"
The eyes of the redheaded puncher
cleaned with excitement. His six
gun was in his hand. BY the look of
him he was about ready to whang
loose through the door.
Hold your horses. you chump,"
Carly sang out. Its the hotel clerk.
left call with him.
THAT you, Curly? For Gods sake,
let me in
Before he had got the words out the
door was open. Stats came in and
shut it behind him. He looked at
Flandrau.
They're after you" he said.
''Who?'' fired Curly back at him.
.eThe Bar Double M boys. They
lust reached town.
Put up that gun. Mac. and move
into your clothes Immediately or
dered Curly Then to Davis: go on.
Unload the rest. What do they knOw?"
"They inquired for you and your
friend here down at the Legal Ten
der"
"Have we got chance to make our
Mac asked.
Davis nodded. ''Slide out through !
the kitchen. cut into the alley, and
across lots to the corral. Wen lock |
the door and I'll hold them here long |
as l can"
"Good boy, Stats. IF there's a neck |
tie party you'll get the first bid"
Curly grinned.
SIa+s looked at him. cold and steady. |