The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1922-12-07

The blood Ieapea III Dawes veins.
But he caught himself with a
wrench. He realized that Simon had
spoken true when he said that the old
DAYS were gone, that the arm of the
Inv reached farther than formerly,
and It might even stretch to this far
Mace. He remembered Simon's in
structions. "The quieter we can do
these things, the BETTER" the clan
leader had said. eff we can get
through to October thirtieth with no
killings. the safer it is for us. Go
easy, Dave. Sound this Hudson out.
If he'll keep still for hundred, let
him have it in peace"
Dave slipped his rifle into the hol-
low Of his arm and continued on down
the trail He didn't try to stalk. In
q moment Hudson heard his step and
looked up. They met in circle of
freight.
1t Is not the mountain way to frater-
nize quickly, nor are the mountain
men quick to show establishment
Hudson had not seen another human
being since his last visit to the settle
ments. Yet his voice indicated no
surprise at this visitation.
| "Howdy,' he grunted.
"Howdy," Dave replied "How about
grubf'
t. Help yourself. Supper just ready"
Dave helped himself to the food of
the man that, a moment before, he
would have slain; and In the light Of
the high fire that followed the meal,
he got down to the real business of
the visit
II suppose you've forgotten that
little deed you witnessed between old
Mat Folger and Ross--twenty years
ago." Dave began easily, his pipe be-
tween his teeth. ~
Hudson turned with cunning gilt
ter in his eyes. Dave saw 1t and
grew holder. .'Who wants me to for
get it?" Hudson demanded.
II amt said that anybody wants
you to-" Dave responded. 81 asked
you If you had"
Hudson was still a moment, strok-
ing absently his beard. "If you want
to know" he Said, 81 amt forgotten.
But there wasn't just deed. There
was an agreement, too"
II know all about that agreement"
Dave confessed
you do. Ell? So do I. amt likely
to forget"
Dave studied him closely. what
good is it going to do you to remem-
Der?" he demanded.
II amt saying that it's going to do
me any good. At present | amt got
nothing against the Turner's. They've
always been all right to me. What's
between them and the Rosses Is past
and done-although l know just In
what way Folger held that land and
no transfer from him to you was le-
GAL. But that's all part Of the past.
AS long as the Turner's continue to be
my friends don't see why anything
should be said about it."
Dave speculated. 1t was wholly
plain that the old man had not yet
heard of Bruce's return. There was
no need to mention him. "We're glad
you are our friend" Dave went on.
"But we don't expect no one to stay
friends with us unless they benefit to
some small extent by it. How many
furs do you hope to take this year"
mot enough to pay to pack out.
Maybe two hundred dollars in bount-
les before New Year-coyotes and
wolves
"Then maybe fifty or seventy-five
dollars, without bothering to set the
traps, wouldn't come in so bad"
ut wouldn't come in bad, but 1t
doesn't buy much these days. A hun
dred would be better"
~ hundred it is" Dave told him
with finality.
The eyes above the dark beard
shone in the freight The money
changed hands. They sat long time,
deep in their own thoughts
''All we ask Dave said, sis that
you don't take sides against u.s."
I'll remember. OF course you want
me, in case I'm ever subpoenaed, to re-
call signing the deed itself"
Eyes, we'd want you to testify to
that"
q "Of course"
They chuckled together in the dark
ness. Then they turned to the blan-
kets.
/. I'll show you another trail out to- |
morrow" Hudson told him. at comes
into the glen that you passed to-
night-the canyon that the Killer has
been using lately for a hunting |
ground"
CHAPTER XIV
The Killer had had an unsuccessful |