The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-08-23
CHAPTER vI-continusd.


toned. suspiciously.
"Oh, if's part OF my trade 10 learn
the country I'm working In"
@YOur trader"
"sure: you never supposed was
here for my health. did your I've got
trade. all right. and perhaps III tell
you about II some time. It's enough
now for me 10 say that II has taught
me as much about this desert as any
indian ever knew. I've rode II alone.
east. west. north. and south. and one
Of the strange places | stumbled into
by good luck. not more than two days
ago-wns this Devils guleh I'm head
ing for now. II we get there by day
light wen have this game blocked
''You believe no one else knows the
placef"
sSurs. someone does. but not this
OUTFIT doubt II old Tom Meager ever
knew OF II. but have some reason 10
believe Bob may. II has been a thieves
den In It's day. no doubt. N the story
was known"
"A thieves denT
tffA'fF w. iUu uV iitt KNOW iiflH
country very well. Miss Deborah. but
Il has been the headquarters for cattle
rustlers and smugglcrs for years, cen
turtles. for all | know. In some re-
spects II IN as bad today as II ever
wsA Mexico Ii Just over yonder," and
he made an expressive gesture with
one hand. ''and this desert stretches
along both sides the line; on every
aide mountains and Wild country. The
Msager ranch Ia the only oasis In a
hundred miles. I don't know how the
place was ever found. but III bet Il
was held by the rife"
1T Was" she said. eagerly. "Old
Tom told me the story. lie came In
here. 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. lie lived here alone for
years. found gold somewhere. aud got
enough TO develop this property. The
Indians never troubled him much. but
rustlcrs did. both Yank and Mexican.
They had regular trail through those
hills 70 the east. Il Is used yet oeca-
sionaily | rode out there with Tom
Meagcr once. and Il Is Ike road"
"Yes. I've seen t." KelIeen inter
ruptcd. running through Giorletta
canyon. There's another tran also
down HOT creek"
Thousands upon thousands OF stolen
cattle were driven along there north
and south. and oftentlmcs they tried
10 pick up some OF the Meagcr stock
Ia passing. For years they were fight.
lng almost all the time. Then soldiers
came and patroled the border. and
broke the trade up very largely
-fou have a pretty clear Idea Of the
situation. young lady :" the man said.
quietly. Tom Meager ran this ranch
straight and fought for his rights Ike
a man. Everybody along the border
Knew that. and respected the old man.
Hut this cub Of his Is another PROPOSE.
lion. The whole border brood contains
nothing verse than Rob Mcager. Tie
g low,down meaa. aud has been n
thief. and an associate of thieves. all
his llfe. II doesn't make any differ.
suce how ! know ell thls--i do know
e. There was bitterness 20 Rel.
esn's voice which startled the glrl.
-fou hate himf~
he laughed lightly.
~oh. no. | cannot afford to 20 that.
,ut sos have got me started. and
night as well gnish up I reckon you
snow the fellow fairly well yourself.
TT him from another angle. II Is not
Hear In my mind yet exactly how he
,ot possession % this property. of
ourse. ! knos he Is old TONS son.
md the natural heir. but / met the
ateer once oF twice and cannot be. /,
love he ever put the ranch unreServ. T,
'dly into Hsbs hands. giving his I
sidew nothing ia IKE 70 see thar :
sil. for IN bet ali I'm worth RS 4
'hony. CARRY drew Il. as under. ,
'tgud. and attn holds Il. The lnStrti- :
vent 4 duty reccrded. but the orig. :
ral reualas safety In possession % Z
he Judge Z
rs that vsaiass-
PERHAPS sa; not being lawyer. I :
an cniy guess It the regularity. or {
oersc L viii have % be produced IN
oaft Cor fnai settlement % the estate. !
'us jout think they anticipate any :