Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-12-13
FLOWING GOLD
BY REX BEACH
CHAPTER XVII

" UDDY BRTSKOW had difficulty in get
= ting out Of the valley on his way for
doctor, for never had the roads been
like this. He drove recllessIy; where neces-
sary he disregarded fences and pushed across
pastures that were hub deep; he even burst
through occasional thickets in defiance of
axle and tire He drowned his motor finally
in fordng roily stream and abandoned the
car.
He came into Ranger that afternoon on
the back of a truck horse that he had Dor
roWed-Without the owners consent. For
time it seemed that if he got a doctor at all
he would have to follow a similar procedure,
but the BriskOW name was powerful, and
Buddy talked in big figures, so eventually he
set out on the return journey-this time in
springless freight wagon drawn by the stout
est team in town. A medical man waa On the
seat beside him.
1t was after midnight when Buddy and his
miserable companion gained the comparatively
easy going of the last ridge, that finty range
beyond which lay the Bris1oW farm.
Buddy stopped at a drilling camp where
lights showed the occupants to be astir, and
there he received confirmation of his, fears
The flats beyond were inundated to a depth
rendering travel impossible, and although
some Of the men stationed out there had
managed to work their way back others were,
for the time being, hopelessly cut Off
81 guess l can swim, if | try. FeIler can
you, Doc?" Buddy turned to his travelling
companion.
The latter shook his head positively you're
crazy, Briskow, we'd probably drown. If we
didn't we'd be burned alive when that loose
oil catches fire"
Buddy cursed furiousIy and lUrched toward
the door. 1t took force to restrain him from
going.
The rain ceased with the passing of the
electrical storm, but the late hours of the
night were thick and the fires continued to
burn. 1t seemed as if morning would never
come.
With the first light Buddy mounted one
Of his horses, and, regardless of admonitions,
set out. In miles he had no great distance
to go; nevertheless, it was midday before he
came in sight of his fathers implanted farm
house, and when he dism0unted at the front
porch he fell rather than walked through the
door
Even after he had been helped into the
kitchen and his wet clothes had been stripped
from him, he could tell little about his trip
but hot food and drink brought him around
and then, indeed, his story. was one that deep
Iy touched the elder man.
Already the waters bad ceased to rise, but
Buddys difficulty in getting through proved
the folly Of attempting to escape for the time
being; his horse had been forced to swim
with him in more than one place. in others
he had Waded waist deep, stumbling through
thiclets, hauling the animal after him by
main strength. There was nothing to do it
seemed but await a subsistence of the flood
Them too, the boy was half dead for sleep
Late that evening, after Allie had gone to
bed. Gray had a long talk with his young
friend, during which he told him moro about
his affairs than he had made known even to
Roswell the banker.
Buddy listened WI the closest attention.
He drew deep breath at last and said: Il
knew you was in deep, but Z thought it was
just your way. Now I know it was Nelson's
crew that fired our gasser"
Gray continued the conversation
DO you think your father would trust
me? Do you think he'd so it blind on my
sayso?'
Allie"
Gray declined this offer with positive
shake of the head. 1T must appeal to him
on its merits. I wouldn't permit you to 20
contrary to his Judgment"
Judgment? What's Pas judgment worth?
lie knows it's no gOOd an so do we. Every
bodys tryin to do him VI but you; you're
the only one he trusts An the same here
Here's my bank rolI-you can shoot the whole
piece, don't care if it never comes back
ITyin' to get you killed! An spoilih d we'll
on mel"
THANK you, Buddy! You-make me slow
to trust my own judgment. II seem to be
developing conscience. But I'm sure this
is the thing to do, for you and your father,
as well as for mo People can't stand still.
they must so forward. The BriskOw fortune
must grow or it will crumbIe"
4 dunno if we've got as much in us as
you seem to think" the boy said doubtfuIIy.
Cray Smiled, "You have common sense. at
least, and that's something you can't get in
school. Men wear smooth from contact with
one another and it is time you got i'm touch
with something bigger than mere drilling. If
you're willing, I'll take you to Wichita Falls
with me-"
''Wiling?" Buddy's eyes spark1ed. GuiltfIy
he confessed: Its been pretty-lonesome
out mere with the scorpions. But l wanted
to show you I could make good"
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