The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-25
The Consuming Fire
 =.: By Max Brand :-

 shoot him down like dog; and stamp on his face when he's dead! But even that won't bring her-back-to me!'
 Big Ed Raleigh shuddered for he saw sob swell the throat of Martin, and he had never seen a grown man weep before. But old Jim mastered himself even as his eyes grew dim.
 "She's gonev he whispered to himself sadly, faintly.
 "Young man," and here he whirled and pointed guant arm at Raleigh, "beware of women, like you'd be keerful of pizen- mad dog. Beware Of lem! They sink teeth in you-herev' He touched his heart and then struck it with his fist. "A woman has made me all hollow in here. That's what she's done."
 His voice changed. It shook him like a leaf that trembles on the quaking aspen before the coming of the storm; it rumbled from his chest like distant thunder on the mountains.
 "But the gent that done me wrong is goin' to die before the sun rises. He's goin' to eat dirt, and die, and watch me laugh in while his eyes get dark"
 He struck the bar again with his fist.
 "Olaf," he called, "more whisky. I got to drink with this young gent. I got to drink to his health. I got to break my vow about not drinkin' agin ic Sierra Padre. I got to make sure he's been warned plenty.'
 And when the glasses were poured he raised his own brimming potion.
 "Think of the whisper of woman like it was the hiss of a snake" he said to Ed Raleigh; "think of her promises like they was spoke by MeX-a yaller-hided Mex ican greaser Drink to me, lad, and tell me you won't forget;'
 q won't forget" promised Ed Raleigh, his eyes very wide.
 And they drank solemnly together.
 ''And now, boys," said Martin, turning to the others, "I'm sayin' good-by and God bless ye before I go on my last trail. Pm prospectin' for death"
 He raised forbidding hand though no one had moved to speak.
 Don't argufy. Don't be persuadin' me- Nothin' between heaven and the Rio Grande can stop me. And, boys, if you got women folk to home, bid 'em say prayer for the soul fo poor old Jim Martin when he's hangin' on the gallows."
 He started for the door with long, wab- ply strides his body wavering.
 Good God!" cried Raleigh. "Are you men going to let him out and commit murder like this?"
 He sprang after Jim Martin and caught his shoulder.
 Partner" he said earnestly, '..no matt ter what yor got ag'n' that gent, you be thinkin' twice. You ain't spry enough to get away frnm marshal after you've pulled your gun. Where you goin'?"
 "Down in wonder valley, lad. Leave go n,y shoulder"
 "And what's the name of the man?"
 "Pete Raleigh! And he's goin' to die before mornin'."
 Ed Raleigh's hand fs!l, es thougt para lyzed from the shoulder of the avenger. He gaped, he tried to speak and before he could regain his self-control Jim Martin had staggered sidelong through the swing ing doors.
 When Raleigh came to life, half dozen men blocked his way and drew him back. And-what curdled his blood-they were laughing.
 "Let me go, you foolsw shouted Ed Raleigh. "Let me go, or there'l be some busted heads in here! Lemme go! He's headin' down the valley to murder my old man."
 "Hold onw urged the whitebeared man, wiping tears of pleasure from his eyes. "Old Martin has been startin' down the valley after your dads hide for 25 years and more, and he's never got away from Sierra