The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-10-18
GIFT OF THE DESERT

by Cd Who are your" hs
snarled savagely. ~What the hi da
you wantY".
''rhe first Is OF no importance. Mea-
ger" returned Kelleen with emphasis
"But I'll answer the latter question.
Unbuckle your belt. Go on; / know
what you're doing. Yes; take II on.
I've got you boys covered: make one
false move, and you'll sure taste lead
Now throw that belt about the Mexi-
can-sure know who you both are I:
came here cunning for you two
guys-around his arms--now. d--n you.
draw IL Tight Yes-that's exactly
what l mean-strap them TO HIS
body"
Just what happened Is not clear.
kelleen could not see; he dare not
take a step closer 10 make sure. The
chances are that Sanchez had two guns
AT his waist. lie had discarded one.
but the other yet remained. Not GER
tain that he was not outlined against
the background OF light. be dare not
attempt 20 draw: but now. his hands
lowered. as Meager drew the belt
about his arms. desperate. bitter with
hate. his nngers must have gripped tho
butt. With one convulsive effort he
fred In the direction OF the voice. The
bullet struck the slide wall. sent
splinter OF rock tearing Into kelleen's
cheek, yet. even as he staggered back
half blinded In the flame, he had
glimpse OF the mnddened Mexican.
running blindiy down the passage. An
instant the fellow stood out clear. his
head thrust forward. his arms stlll
held by the belt clasp; then kelleen
pulled trigger. and the runner sprnwled
out. fiat and motlonless. into the very
center OF that little pool Of daylight.
II was the swift work OF an instant,
then darkness. and Meager's huge bulk
crushed Kelleen against the wall In
one mad effort TO kin. For a moment
the smaller man, taken completely by
surprise. struggled helplessly 10 escape
the stranglehold OF those clutching fin
gers. The revolver drcTT1ed from his
hand, and he was forced resistlessly
backward. strangled. unable to tear
loose that visellke grip. As the two
fell. however. Meager's head struck
the rock. the sharp blow 30 dazing
him as 10 permit kelleen an instant
OF relief. long. fresh breath. the re-
lease OF one arm. Underneath him.
pressing against his hip. lay the gun
he had been forced 20 drop. With des-
perate effort he gained possession Of
the weapon. thrusting the muzxle saw
agely into Meager's side
On you I" he choked. Feel thati
Get up. or I'll blow hole clear
through you. You dirty brute. TO XIII
you would be a pleasure. Get clear
upi DO you know me nowf"
The fellow. thoroughly cowed. shrink
ing back with the point OF the revolver
stu pressing hard against his rib.
suffered. but made no reply. The
widening radius OF daylight gave KEEL
leen the outlines Of his bulky figure.
but features were invisible.
WHAT not yeti I'm the Frisco
Kidr First you thought you'd double
cross me; then you decided murder
would do the job best. Well. Meager.
neither plan worked. I'm on 20 your
game. and I'm very much alive. Now
I've got you. Like 10 make a guess
why don't kin your
'You-you want me 10 squeal nrst."
Meager hesifnted. and Kelieen's gun
pushed harder.
"You better spit II out. Bob; I'd
sure love 20 shoot"
well. On you. what's the differ
pnce7 Garrfty told me the fellow was
hiding In here somewhere. Manuel