Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1922-10-13
CHAPTER XVI

Dave Turner Travelled hard and late,
and he reached SimOns door just be-
fore shutdown of the second day.
Bruce was still full two hours dis
tant But Dave did not stay to knock.
IL was chOre-time, and he thought he
would find Simon in his barn, super
vising the feeding and care of the
live stock. He had guessed right, and
the two men had moments talk ia
the dusky passage behind the stalls.
I've brought news" Dave said.
Simon made no answer at first The
saddle pony in the stall Immediately
In front of them, frightened at Dawes
unfamiliar figure, had crowded. trem-
bling, against his manger. Simon's
red eyes watched him; then he ut
tered short oath. He took two
strides into the stall and seized the
halter rope in his huge. muscular
hand Three times he jerked Il with
peculiar, quartering pull, a curbing
that might have been ineffective by
man of ordinary strength, but with
great forearm behind it was really
terrible punishment. Dave thought
for moment his brother would break
the animals neck the whites began
to show about the soft, dark pupils
OF its eyes. The strap over the head
broke with the fourth pun; then the
horse recoled, plunging and terrified.
. IL. Ill
Simon leaped with SCATTERING power
at the creatures shoulders, his huge
arms encircled its neck, his shoulders
heaved, and he half-threw it to the
floor Then. as it staggered to rise.
his heavy fist failed against its neck.
Again and again he struck. and in thu
half-darkness of the stable it was a
dreadful thing TO behold. The mans
fury, always quickly aroused, was
upon him; his brawny form moved
with the agility of panther Even
Dave, whose shallow eyes were usually
wont to feast on cruelty, viewed the
scene with some alarm. It wasn't that
he was moved by the agony of the
horse But he did remember that
horses cost money, and Simon seemed
determined to kill the animal before
his passion was spent.
The horse covered, and in mo-
ment more it was hard to remember
he WAS "A member OF a noble. high
spirited breed-a swift runner. brainy
as a dog servant faithful and
worthy He ;tOnd quiet AT last. his
head hanging low. knees bent. eyes
curiouSly so-rowful and dark Simon
fastened the broken strap about his
neck, gave it one more jerk that al
most Knocked the animal OF his feet.
then turned back to Dave. Except for
higher color in his cheeks darker
lights in his eyes, and an almost i'm
perceptible qulckening of his breath
ing. il did not seem as il he had
moved
you're always bringing news. he
said. IF it's as important as some OF
the other news you've brought don't
take my time"
'Ail right" the other replied sui
ienly You don't have TO hear It. But
I'm telling you it's of real importance
this time-and some time you'll find
out" He scowled into the dark face.
But suit yourself"
Dave walked clear to the door, then
turned Don't be fool Simon hs
urged Listen to what | have TO tell
you Bruce Folger knows where that
secret agreement is
HI
of sufficient emphasis 10
satisfy him. His brother whirled. his
whole expression undergoing an I'M
mediate and startling change. II
there was one emotion that Dave had
never seen on Simon's face 1t was
he didn't know for certain
that he saw IL now. But there was
m-unmlstahable-and surprise.
too.
"What do YOU mean?r he demanded
out with IT. His tone was really
urgent now. not insolent as usual.
Good Lord. man. don't you know
-hat il Bruce gets that down TO the
before the thirtieth OF
next month we're lost-and nOrarg
n this world can save u.s. We cast
irive him Of like we drove tue
Rosses. There's TOO much law down
n the valleys. II he's got thut paper.
here's only one thing 70 do. Help
ne saddle q horse"
WATT minute / didn't say he had
T. ! only said he knew where II was.
les stlll an hour or fwg walk from
lere. toward l.iffls river and II Ns
ave 10 wait for him GA the trail,
we've g0f plenty " time. And -
curse / ain'f quite sure he does know
where q is