The St. Johns herald., 1921-06-23
"The meaning of what, senor9" he

the Wolves den."
 "Oh, is that it, senor?" indifferently. '"Then maybe you will tell me how am to find a way into this den of wolves? I have looked down wonder" 1" he waved his hand.
 "You seek it, tIFen?
 Sure; otherwise why should I be here? You will guide me?"
 "Caramba It depends" suspicious ly, yet somewhat disconcerted by the others quiet manner. q would know more first. You are lost?"
 Completely; yet 1t is a story easily told. I was with a man named Han ley an a fellow called Hank"
 "Old Matt-I know him."
 Good; then I have met a friend. We were there, back in those hills, when my girth broke-see, where I have fixed it. I fell behind and they rode on. I thought to follow easily, but, you must know those hills, the trail was lost; perhaps I took q wrong turn, for suddenly I found myself on this plain"
 The Mexican sat motionless, h-s eyes as suspicious as ever, but his fingers no longer gripped on the re- vOlver. The last of the cattle had dis appeared down the couIee and the red bearded white man was riding toward them across the alkali. Neither changed position until he came up, lump of a fellow, with staring eyes and complexion the color of parch- ment.
 "What the h-l is all this, Juan?" he questioned roughly. "Who is the fellowT'
 "He travel with Matt Hanley an get lost; so he say"
 "Hanley, heyl That's some recom- mendation. Who else was with your party?''
 "A man called Hank"
 "Slagin. We'll, the story sounds straight so far; them two left here together; I happen to know that. Whats your name?"
 Shelby looked him squarely in the eye.
 Churchill"
 "Whatl Matt talked to me about that. Fellow named Macklin stalkin' girl down Ponca way"
 He's got her; so Hanley says, an' that's what I'm here for-seeT"
 "But you ain't or Churchill. The way heard 1t he was sixty anyhow, an a down-easter."
 Virginia; he's my father"
 "Oh, h-l, an where you beenT"
 "Soldierin' mostly"
 T sec" his eyes wandered. "Sounds kinder f1shy, young feller, but I ain't In no shape to tell. I reckon Matt Hanley kin straighten it out, an' if he Is down thar, the best thing we kin do Is to take yer Tong. If yer lyin' yell be d-n sorry fore yer get out ag'in. I'll tell yer that to begin with. but if yer game to ride along, we'll see yer get thar all right. Let's hit her up, Juan; them Injuns will need us fore long. Come on, stranger"
 He wheeled his horse and rode of on a sharp trot and the Mexican fol- lowed. Neither man so much as glanced back toward Shelby, seeming ly indifferent as to what he chose to do. Yet he knew the customs of tho | West and that if he failed them now 10 future falsehood would ever regain | heir confidence. He swung into the | saddle and rode silently forward be- hind Juan. The cattle were still out of | sight ahead, but they could hear the | calls of the drivers. Shelby pressed | lis bronco up closer to the Mexican, who had lit cigarette.
 ''Is it far, Juan?" he asked.
 "Nom de DiosI heard you not. To the Hole you mean? Not far, but 'ough, senor; yet there is no other way to get cattle in."
 ''The man with you; who is he?"
 Juan emitted a cloud of blue smoke D the air, smiling pleasantly.
 "Senor Laud."
 "LaudI" in undisguised astonish- nent. "What Laud? Not Indian 'oe'?"
 "Si, senor; they call heem that" confidently. 'He verra bad man. You now heem, whatY'
 Shelby gripped himself tightly.
 eve heard of him, that's all. He's
 Sioux squawman, but never knew 7hat he looked like before"
 His pony, no longer urged, fell back, railing at the rear of the others. uan rode on, unconscious and indif- erent, blowing spirals of smoke into he air, and humming the strain of one Spanish melody, but Shelby was taring beyond him at the red-bearded