The Holly chieftain., 1923-11-01
CHAPTER vl-cen.'nu.d.


'How did you know7" she ques-
toned, suspiciousiy.
''Oh, it's part Of my trade TO learn
the country I'm working In"
'sYour trader"
"Sure; you never supposed was
here for my health. did you? I've got
. trade, all right and perhaps III tell
you about 1t some time. It's enough
now for me to say that 1t has taught
me as much about this desert as any
Indian ever knew. I've rode 1t alone,
east. west north, and south. and one
Of the strange places stumbled into
by good luck, not more than two days
ago-was this Devils gulch I'm head
Ing for now. If we get there by day
light wen have this game blocked"
you believe no one else knows the
placer"
"Sure, someone does. but not this
outfit. doubt If old Tom Meager ever
knew of It. but have some reason to
believe Bob may. 1t has been thieves
den in its day, no doubt, II the story
was known"
"A thieves denw
"Lfkely-yes. You do not know this
country very we'll, Miss Deborah, but
1t has been the headquarters for cattle
rustlers and smugglers for years. CEN
turtles, Tor all l know. In some re-
spects 1t is as bad today as It ever
was. Mexico is Just over yonder," and
he made an expressive gesture with
one hand, "and this desert stretches
along both sides the line; on every
side mountains and wild country. The
Geager ranch is the only oasis in
hundred miles. I don't know how the
place was ever found, but I'll bet it
was held by the rifle"
ut was" she said, eagerly. "Old
Tom told me the story. He came in
here, a young man, prospecting, and
discovered these hundreds Of acres,
with water. grass, everything. even a
considerable bunch of wild cattle.
There was no one In the country then,
and the cattle were not even worth
stealing. He lived here alone for
years, found gold somewhere. and got
enough to develop this property. The
Indians never troubled him much, but
rustlers did, both Yank and Mexican.
They had regular trail through those
hills to the east. 1t Is used vet Occa-
sionally: rode out there with Tom
Heager once, and 1t is like d road
Eyes. I've seen it," KelIeen, inter.
rupted, "running through 0lorietta
canyon. There's another trail also
down Box creek"
Thousands upon thousands Of stolen
cattle were driven along there north
and south, and oftentimes they tried
to pick up some of tbs Meager stock
In passing. For years they were fight
ing almost all the time. Then soldiers
came. and patroled the border, and
broke the trade up very largely"
you have pretty clear idea Of the
situation, young lady" the man said,
quietly. Tom Meager ran this ranch
straight and fought for his rights like
a man. Everybody along the border
knew that. and respected the old man.
But this cub of his is another PROPOSE
tion. The whole border brood contains
nothing worse than Bob Meager. He
is low-down mean, and has been
thief and an associate of thieves, all
his life. 1t doesn't make any differ.
ence how J know all this-i do know
it." There was bitterness to Kel-
leen's voice which startled the girl.
"You hate himi"
He laughed lightly.
"Oh, no; ! cannot afford to do that,
but you have got me started, and I
might as well finish up. / reckon you
know the fellow fairly well yourself.
get him from another angle. 1t Is not
clear In my mind yet exactly how>he
got possession of this property. or
course, know he is old Toms son,
and the natural heir. but met the
father once or twice. and cannot be-
lieve he ever put the ranch unreserv-
edly into Bob's hands. giving his
widow nothing. I'd like to see that
will. for I'll bet all I'm worth it's
phony. Garrity drew 1t. as under
stand. and still holds 1t. The lnstfu-
ment Is duly recorded. but the orig
inal remains safely in possession of
the Judge"
''Is that resular7'
Perhaps, so; not being n lawyer, I
can only guess at the regularity. OF
course It will have to be produced In
court for final settlement of the estate;
bat don't think they anticipate any