The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1922-06-29
l(Continued from page -

bad followed him to the trap. Il Heck
was near him even then: u Heck had
gone for help.
By Heck had not followed Bill Dale
80 the little basin. But he had fol-
lowed Henderson, Con, and Henderson
Con had followed Dale to the little
basin. Goa had returned to the Big
Pine Mountain country only that day
and he knew nothing Of the plans OF
the Ball-Torrey faction until he wit
messed the mockery Of trial. Con
was now crouchIng In the darkness on
the low line Of cliffs to the eastward
from the walnut tree and not far
behind him, well hidden In the niack
laurels. watching him and watching
Bill Dale, croucaed BY Heck.
Dale's guardian had nok gone Cor
help. because he feared to leave Dale
utterly unprotected In the hands Of
the gang Of cItthroats. He believed
that he could rescue Dale himself.
When the flrst match became Q little
more drowsy, he wonld steal up be-
hind the tree and cut tae cotton rope
Then he realized that Con had dis
appeared entirely. He crept forward
silently, his eyes alert. and moment
later he saw Con stealing toward the
walnut trea He climbed noiseiessly
down ever the face ef the cliR and
followed Goa like shadow. When
Colrs hands touched the tree. BY Heck
was within ten feet Of f. Heck made
Aare bis Rine was ready and took an
ether step forward. watching listen
ing.
Tns shystef coal man leaned around
> the tree to the left In the glow Of
the low-burned fire the blade Of q
small knife In his hand cleaned dull
red. He whispered cauti0uslys
"You-e In . 6x.. Dale. And ft's
none Of my doing. either. Give me
your word that I'll get that coal prop
erty for fifteen thousand, and IN slash
the rope. How about 1T Sick Of
this country. aren't your
. There came few seconds Of silence
save Tor the lusty snoring Of the sleep
erS and the musical tinkle Of the little
crsek, after which Coz muttered dis
appointedlys
SWtlI, then, hang r
And Heck knew .hae Dale had ~
fused to sell the Moreland coal fof
song even to save his life. As Con
stepped backward. the mpxxls o& tho
tall hillman's rife went against the
small Of his back, and the tall hillman
whispered hoarselx through teeth
tightly cienched;
"Slash at rope. On pore eOuli
Slash at rope, Or wish< may drap
dead ef I don't shoot yore backbone
int four thousand pieces. igodi Slash
ts
Coz Strengthened IN surprise. Thu
back end he knew Il foR exactly what
4 was. He moved q hand upward.
then downward and the cott,n rope
was severed in half dozen pAaceA
@Etiddy thar. now y whispered BY
Heck, end he began to back away.
"COme along VT me- ye dadslatted.
banjer-bellied skunk, Bill he'll folleRs
1hs three Of them hurried into the
deeper shadows. Soon Heck halted
Goa and turned to Dale
AE'arch him TO Q gun HlA I'D buy
Dale lifted from Henderson Go&t
right-hand coat-pOckes . b1ued and
stuD-nosed magazine pistoA
sDang my eyes and blast my ~
rard r Heck exclaimed 10 mudasd
voice. sHe's plumb death % tbem
littie popguns, ain't hcf SaH, God.
ak ever 10 shoots mo with Q thing like
chat ana ind It out, DANCED e DOM
spank ye oOtel yore nose bioods, Nov,
hBe 20. you'uns. And ef ye Jest cheep
out Z noise Mister GoR, the buzzards
vail pick the meat o6an yprs boneS
afors topoxrea night
saIova shysteeF fspwned BAL
Dala
By HecR ed tho waE to the nne q
csinA % the westward. They had
climbed the rugged wall and were
about to set out through the pitchy
dark woodland when q voice that
they knew well hailed them softly
from the laurels a. their lefts
Hold on. tharF
sJ0hn Aorelant. BIZ tggersr mus-
tered Hecs.
Moreland hastegled s0undleSsiy 90
them II reckon ye didp't mean no
HARM By" he sdid In tones that ex-
pressed @ deep regret, 'but UT shore
wtsht ye hadn't ha' done its
Samuel Heck was very PROUD q
himself. He straightened there In the
darkness.
sWhat'n the name q the devil makes
ye wisht sech thing as thRA 1ehny'
hs demanded IN half angry vUoC4
Cause. growled the big htlimx1
Atou went and spilled h-4 cut y the
main big picnic. We meant to wipe
cut an o. them thar lowdown Balls
and Torreys. By. When they went to
hang Bill Dale tn the morniu'. we'd ha'
bad Q good reason To- a-killin' 'em every.
Uoe--the weaselsI Ye sea. By. every
man M0reland but Caleb, and every
man q the Llttlefords. is hid here In
G1nAaa LAMBDA and no n hoon ovQr nQnSa