The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-12-14
CHAPTER "
ForIorn River.

ForIorn River.
When Dick opened his eyes a houd
OF golden sunshine streamed in at the
open window under which he lay. His
first thought was one Of blank wonder
, as to where In the world he happened
! to be. The room was large, square,
adobe.walled. 1t was Uttered with
saddles, harness, blankets. The sight
Of huge dusty spurs, a gun belt with
sheath and gun, and a pair of leather
chaps bristllng with broken cactus
thorns recalled to Dick the cowboys,
the ride, Mercedes, and the whole
strange adventure that had brought
him there.
He felt dead weight Of complete
lassitude, and he did not want to
move. A sudden pain In his hand
caused him to hold 1t up. It was
black and blue, swollen to almost
twice Its normal size, and stiff as a
board. The knuckles were skinned
and crusted with dry blood. Dick 80.
llloqulzed that It was the worst-look-
Ing hand he had seen since football
days, and that It would Inconvenience
him for some time.
The door at the far end Of the room
was open. Through it he saw poles
| Of peeled wood upholding a porch
roof, a bench, rose bushes In bloom,
grass, and beyond these bright.green
foliage Of trees.
HE shore was sleepin' when I
looked In an hour ago." said a voice
that Dick recognized as Ladd's.
"Let him Sleep" came the reply in
deep, good-Datured tones. Mrs. B.
ays the girls never moved. Must
have been tough ride for them both.
Forty miles through cactus! Laddy
I'm right down glad to see you boys,
and III do all can for the young
couple. But I'm doing some worrying
here; don't mistake me-"
"About your stockT
I've got only a few head Of cattle
It the oasis now. I'm worrying some,
ncstly about my horses. The y. s.
, doing some worrying, too, don't
, hiTake me. The rebels have worked
vest and north as far as Caslta. OF
course, my Job Is to keep tab on Chi.
te1e and Japs trying to get into the
Y 3. from Magdalena bay. But I'm
imposed to patrol the border line
Tn going to hire some rangers. Now,
I'm not 80 afraid Of being shot up,
tscugh out in this lonely place there's
anger Of Il; what I'm afraid Of most
= losing that bunch Of horses. You
NOV what those guerrilla Mexicans
WI DO for horses. They're crazy on
lefse flesh. They know fine horses
= ! don't sleep nights any more"
Reckon me an Jim might as well
M up with you for a spell, Beldin'.
we've been rldln' up an down Arizona
m' to keep out Of sight Of wire
enAs"
lady, It's open enough around
aslorn River to satisfy even an old
June cowpuncher like YOU" laughed
oeldlng. I'D take your staying on as
VINE favor, don't mistake me. Per-
ups can persuade the young man
vale to take a job with me-"
Ynat's shore likely. He said he
go no money, no friends. An II a
1.'appers all you're lookin' for he'll
~ replied Ladd, with a dry chuckle.
aayoe | ought to think twice be-
10y taking a stranger into my fam
- sald Bedding, seriously. well, I
..ess he's all right, Laddy, being tho
s.''iiyman's friend. No bum or
'.sf' he must be all rightY'
q. sum- Lunger1 Say, didn't 1 tell
~ shook hands with this boy an
~ plumb glad to meet hlmr' de.
.aa0eo laddy, with considerable
~. Aanifestly he had been Of.
vnsed. Tom Beldln', he's a gentle.
..n' an, ne could lick you in-ln half
- sscono. How about that, JimY'
less tlme," replied Lash. "Tom,
a. ~ my stand. Young Gale can
mhe." s0"' any "n '"
IL AN, ! didn't mean to insult you,
s s,s. don't mistake me-" said Bedding.
v q he's all right"
.ae object Of this conversation lay
w.. upon his bed, thrilling and
.eo at being so champloned by
=. "wooys, delighted with Belongs
-. q employing him, and much
scu With tho nuainf oortn,,Sr ooa
9 Tie three. 4' SERIOUSNESS
bows the young mani" called a
h voice. It was kind and mel
y and earnest.
y. we heard footsteps on tlagstones.
ss asleep yet. wife," replied Bel.
Guess he was pretty much