Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1923-09-07
a cowboy who awkwardly tried 70
avoid the onslaught.

"Mebbe you better hold on min
nit, Gene. ole feller," said Monty
Price.
"Monty, do you want me to brain
your" said Stewart, with the short,
hard ring in his voice.
"Now, considerin' the high class Of
my brains, / oughter be real careful
to keep 'em," replied Monty. "You
can betcher life, Gene, amt goin'
to git In front Of you. But jest says
Listen I"
Stewart raised his dark face. Ev-
erybody listened. And everybody
heard the rapid beat Of horses
hoofs The SUN had set, but the park
was light Nels appeared down the
trail, and his horse was running. In
another moment he was in the circle,
pulling his bay back to sliding halt.
He leaped off abreast Of Stew art.
Madeline saw and felt difference
in Nels' presence.
"What's up. Gene?" he queried,
sharply.
Nels' long arm shot out, and his
hand fell upon Stewart, holding him
down.
"Shore I'm sorry" said Nels, slow
ly. "Then you was goin' to hit the
trail?"
II am going to. Let go, Nels"
ashore you amt goin', Gene"
w.et go, d-n you" cried Stewart,
as he wrestled free.
"What's wrong?" asked Nels, lifting
his hand again.
"Manl Don't touch me"
Nels stepped back instantly. He
seemed to become aware Of Stewards
white, wild passion. Again Stewart
moved to mount.
"Nels, don't make me forget we've
been friends" he said.
"Shore I amt fergettin'," replied
Nels "An' I resign my Job right here
an now!"
His strange speech checked the
mounting cowboy. Stewart stepped
down from the stirrup. Then their
hard faces were still and cold while
their eyes locked glances.
Madeline was as much startled by
Nels' speech as Stewart. Quick to
note a change in these men, she now
sensed one that was unfathomable.
"Resign?" questioned Stewart.
"Shore What'd you think I'd do un'
der circumstances sich as has come
up?"
"But see here, Nels, I won't stand
for it."
you're not my boss no more an
amt beholdin' to Miss Hammond
neither. I'm my own boss, an I'll dc
as I please. Sabe, senor?"
Nels' words were at variance with
the meaning in his face.
Scene, you sent me on a little scout
down in the mountains, didn't your?
"Yes, 1 did," replied Stewart, with
a new sharpness in his voice.
"Wal, shore you was so good an
right in your figgerin', as opposed to
mine, that I'm sick with admirin' OF
you If you hedn't sent me-wal, I'm
reckonin' sOmethin' might hev hap
| peu0u. AS IL 10 we &c uP uSuihot
q hell Of proposition!"
How significant was the effect of his
words upon all the cowboys! Stewart
made a fierce and violent motion, ter
rible where his other motions had beer
but passionate. Monty leaped straight
up into the air in singular action as
suggestive of surprise as it was OF
wild acceptance Of menace. Like 9
stalking giant Nick Steele strobe over
to Nels and Stewart. The other cow
boys rose silently, without a word.
Madeline and her guests, in little
group, watched and listened, unable tC
divine what all this strange talk and
action meant.
"Hold on, Nels, they don't need tt
hear it." said Stewart, hoarsely, as ne
waved hand toward Madeline's silen,
group.
"Wal, I'm sorry, but reckon they't
as we'll know fust as last. Mebb'
thet yearnin' wish Of Miss Helen's fel
somethin' to happen will come true
Shore L"
"Cut out the joshin'," rang ou
Monty's strident voice.
It had as decided an effect as an!
preceding words or action. Perhap!
it was the last thing needed to trans
form these men, doing unaccustome(
duty as escorts of beautiful women
to their natural state as men OF th'
wild.
"Tell us what's what" said Stewart
cool and grim.
"Don Carlos an his guerrillas ar
campin' on the trails thet lead vi
here. They've got them trails blocked
BY tomorrer they'd he'd us corrallcd
Mebbe they meant to surprise us. He'
got a lot of Greasers an outlaws
They're well armed. Now, what d,
they mean? You-all can lgger 1t ou
to suit yourselves. Mebbe the Dol
wants to pay sociable call on ou
ladies. Mebbe his gang is some hun
cry, as usual. Mebbe they want t,
steal a few hosses, or anythin' they Cal
lay hands on. Mebbe they mean wuss
too. Now, my idea is this, an mebb
it's wrong. I long since separate,