Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-01-05

ihS huisu nc Hdu octu bAucc lOOlDdH
days. and that It would Inconvenience
him for some time.
The door at the far end OF the room
was open. Through 1t he saw poles
of peeled wood uphclcing a porch
roof, bench. rose bushes in bloom
grass, and beyond these bright-green
foliage OF trees.
He shore was sleepin' when
looked in an hour ago" said a voice
that Dick recognized as Ladd's.
Let him sleep" came the reply in
deep. good-natured tones. Mrs. B.
says the girls never moved. Must
have been q tough ride for them both.
Forty miles through cactusi Laddy
I'm right down glad to see you boys,
and I'll do all I can for the young
couple. But I'm doing some worrying
here; don't mistake me-"
about your stock?'
I've got only a few head of cattle
at the oasis now. I'm worrying some,
mostly about my horses. The o. 8.
is doing some worrying, too, don't
mistake me. The rebels have worked
west and north as far as Casita. OF
course, my job Is to keep tab on Chi
nese and Japs trying to get into the
U. S. from Magdalena bay. But I'm
I'm going to hire some rangers. Now,
I'm not so afraid of being shot up,
though out In this lonely place there's
danger of it; what I'm afraid Of most
Is losing that bunch of horses. You
know what those guerrilla Mexicans
will do for horses. They're crazy on
horse flesh. They know fine horses.
So I don't sleep nights any more"
Reckon me an Jim might as well
tie up with you for spell, Beldin'.
We've been ridln' up an down Arizona
tryin' to keep out Of sight of wire
fences"
"Laddy, it's open enough around
Forlorn River TO satisfy even an old
time cowpuncher like you" laughed
Bedding. I'D take your staying on as
some favor, don't mistake me. Per-
haps I can persuade the young man
Gale to take a Job with me-"
THAT'S shore likely. He said he
had no money, no friends. An If
scrapper's all you're loozin' for he'll
do" replied Ladd. with a dry chuckle
Maybe l ought to think twice be-
fore taking a stranger Into my fam
ily," said Bedding. seriously. "WelI,
guess he's all right, Laddy, being the
cavairyman's friend. No bum or
lunger? He must be all rightT
"Bum7 Lunger? Say. didn't 1 tell
you l shook hands with this boy an
was plumb glad TO meet hlm7" de
manded Laddy. with considerable
heat. Manifestly he had been af-
fronted. TON Beldin', he's a gentle
man. an he could lick you in-in half
a second. How about that, Jim?'
LESS time" replied Lash. tom,
here's my stand. Young Gale can
nave my boss, my gun. anythin' OF
nine"
Jaw. I didn't mean to insult you.
'oys, don't mistake me-" said Bedding.
Course he's all right"
The object of this conversation lay
Iuiet upon his bed, thrilling and |
mazed at being so championed by |
he cowboys. delighted with Belongs |
dea of employing him, and much |
unused with the quaint seriousness
T the three.
"How's the young manr' called a
romans voice. 1t was kind and mel.
wv and earnest
Gale heard footsteps on fagstones.
Hes asleep yet. Wife," replied Bel
Ing. "Guess he was pretty much
nocked out. I'll close the
DOR there so we won't wake him"
There were slow, soft steps. then
lie door softly closed. But the fact
,arcely made a perceptible differ
ace In the sound of the voices out
de-
lady and Jim are going TO stay"
ent on Bedding. It'll be like the
d Panhandle days little I'm pow
full glad TO have the boys, Nellie.
ell see some trouble before the rev.
ution Is ended | think I'll make I
is young man Gale an offer"