Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-01-14
CHAPTER V.
Bad Medicine.

near the Circle c. Mac opened fire.
They--killed him."
"Shot him, org" Curly was left to
guess the other half Of the question.
."Shot him and took me prisoner"
''They couldn't prove thing, could
they?" =. .
':They could prove L wounded Culli-
son. That was enough for them. They
set out to hang me. Later they
changed their minds"
"'How come you here? Did you es-
cape?" 49,.
!"NGpa Friends. dug up bail. Say,
.Soapy has been telling me that the Cul.
liSon kid is up here. ! reckon we bet.
ter not say anything about my mixup
with his folks. I'm not looking for any
trouble with him"
"All right, Curly"
Curly sat down on the porch and
told IN edited story Of his adventures
to them. Before he had finished
young fellow rode up and dismounted.
After he had unsaddled and turned his
pony into corral he joined the others
on. the porch.
Young Cuilison had seated himself In
the chair next to Flandrau. He had,
so; Curly thought strong family re-
semblance to his father and sister,
Still boy in his ways, he might any
day receive the jolt that would trans
form him into q man.
Curly studied the characters Of
those present. Bill he knew already
fairly we'll as tough nut to crack,
game to the core, and Staunch to his
friends. Blackwell was a bad lot,
treacherous. vindictiver slippery as an
eel. Even his confedcrateS did not
trust him greatly. But it was Soapy
and young Culllson that interested
Flaudrau most. Sam was at an i'm
pressionable age, inclined to be led by
any man whom he admired. Curly
knew that he could gain no influence
over him by preaching. He had to live
the rough-and-t tumble life Of these men
who dwelt beyond the pale Of the law.
to excel them at the very things Of
which they boasted. But in one re-
Spect he held himself apart. While he
was at the horse ranch he did not
touch drop of liquor.
Laura London's letter was not deliv-
cred until the second day, for though
she had not told her messenger to give
II to Sam when he was alone, Curly
guessed this would be better.
Sam ran oyer his letter two or three
times. 1t was such message as any
hrlve-hearted. impulsive girl might
send TO the man she loved when he
seemed to her to walk in danger. Gull
liSuI loved her for the interest she
took in him. even while he rldiculed
her fears.
AS they rode back to the ranch.
Curly mentioned that he had seen
S:n's people day or two before.
Cullson asked no questions. but he
listened intently while the other told
the story of his first rustling and Of
low Miss kate and her father had
stood by him in his trouble.
IF I had folks like you have. the
salt of the earth, and they were worry.
ing their hearts out about me. seems
to me Id quit helling around and so
back to them" Curly concluded.
THE old man sent you to tell me
that. did he?" Hard and bitter was
the voice Of the young man.
NO. he didn't. He doesn't know
I'm here. But he and your sister have
done more for me than ever can pay.
That's why I'm telling you this"
Sam answered grutlly, as man does
when he is moved. Much obliged,
Curly, but reckon 1 can look OUT for
myself"
Just what I thought. and in Sep
tember I have to so to the penitell-
tiary. They've got me cinchcd. But
with you it's different. There's nolli-
ing TO this sort of life. The bunch upi
here is no good. Soapy don't mean
right by you, or by any young fellow
he trails with"
"I'll not listen to anything against
Soapy. He has been good friend to
me. I'm not going to throw him down"
"Would it be throwing him down to
go back to your peopie:"
"Yes, It would. We've got plans.
Soapy is relying on me. No matter
what they are. but Tn not going to lie
down on him. And I'm not going back
to the old man. He told me he was
through with me. I'm not begging him
to take me back. not on your life"
Curly dropped the matter. But rs
the days passed he kept one thing in
his mind, not to miss any chance to
win his friendship. They rode together
a good deal, and F9andrau found that
SAM liked to hear him talk about the
Circle c and its affairs. But>oftcn he :
was discouraged, for he made no prog. !