The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1923-05-17
Rimrock Trail g '"'';::'"''''
BY j. ALLAN DUNN


middle of the road" announced Sandy
There's the lights of Caroca blinkin
away to the left. Too bad we missed
the train. Sleepy?'
"Some," she admitted.
me, too" lied Sandy companion
ably.
Coming down from the mesa he had
talked with her about Barbara Red
ding. how welcome she would make
Molly and what she would do for her
Molly had listened silently.
They entered the little town, once
cattle station, now renamed in mu-
steal Spanish, Caroca-A Carcass
spot where fruits we're grown and
flowers bloomed the year round wher-
ever the water caressed the earth.
Sandy rode the mare into the livery
where the last skirmish between hoof
and rim, iron and rubber tire, was
being fought. and called for "Chuck''
Goodwin.
A stout man came ou., not so heavy,
not so big as Mormon, but sheathed
In flesh with the armor Of ease and
good living. He peered up at Sandy,
then let out a shout.
you long-legged, ornery, freckle-
faced, gun-packin' galoot, Sandy
Bourke! Light Off n that cayuse
you an yore lady friend. Where In
time did you-all drop fromT
"Come across the mesa. Like to
git washed across through Paso
Cabras," said Sandy. Miss Casey.
let me make you 'quainted with Chuck
Goodwin, one time the best hawss-
sheer In the seven Cactus states, now
sellin' oil an gasoline at fancy prices,
not to mention machines To- which he
Is agent"
Got a few oats left TO- yore
hawsses, Sandy. Miss, won't you
come inside the Office? Where you
| bound, SandyT
1--WE was amin to catch the seven
o'clock train east, maxim TO- New
Mexico an the Redding ranch, where
Miss Casey is to visit TO- a spell. but
We found the trail bad an a cloud
bust finally set us back SO we quit
hurryin' an loafed In. Chuck, have
you got a machine you c'ud rent us,
with a driver?"
You can have anything got In the
place with laigs or wheels, an well
come. Coin to the old Reddins
ranch? Give my howdedo to Miss
Barbara, or Mrs. Barbara as she is
now. But" He looked at the wall
clock. tits quarter Of ten. Yore
trains been altered to suit main line
schedules. She don't come through
till nine-thirty an she's gen'ally late
maxim the grade. l amt heard her
whistle yet. Hop in my car an weTl
jest about make her. Che don't do
much more'n hesitate at Caroca when
she's behind time"
He hurried them out on the street
to where car stood by the curb.
Molly and her few belongings got in
behind. Sandy mounted with Goodwin.
you'll take good care of the
hawsses, Chuck?" he said. "T'll prob
ably be back for 'em myself In three
TO- days."
"Seguro." Goodwin stepped on his
starter and the flywheel whirred to
suffering explosions. Another car
came limping down the street, fat on
both rims Of one side, It's paint plas-
tered with mud, one light out. the
other dimmed with mire. The driver
called to Goodwin
(which way to the depot?"
Goodwin. his hand on the lever
foot on the clutch, was astounded to
hear Sandy kissing out:
Don't tell 'em. Scoot ahead fuu
speed" Then, over his shoulder IN
the girl, "Crouch down there, Molly"
Goodwin was still man of action
and he knew Sandy Bourke of old
Out came the pedal, the Gears engaged
and the car shot ahead, beneath
swinging arc light. Sandy's hat.rIm
did not sufficiently shade his face or
Molly's action had not been swift
enough. There came yell and
string Of curses from the crippled car.
which backed and turned and fol-
lowed. Its torn treads Tapping.
Goodwin asked no questions of
Sandy. If the latter wanted ever to
tell him why he required a quick exit
out Of Caroca, or why he was fol.
lowed, he could. If not, never mind.
He slid his gears into high and lodged
around corners recklessly. A red Ian
tern showed ahead in the middle of
the road. They crashed through n
light obstruction Of boards and tres
ties. oyerturning the lantern, and
plowed on over rough stones.
I'm mayor" said Goodwin with a
grin. "Breakin' my own rules but I
fgger that broken stonell bother 'em
some. Well chance It."
They lunged through, regardless OF