The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-04-13

IhoN rode Into a little arroyo. HlaEe
snapped a match with his thumb
Take a squirt az this picture
Melody. Is that Bodinef"
Melody shook his head Ito tool
the photograph In his own hands
Nope" he repeated, "Naturs
didn't spare him any either. did she p
he chucklcd. mol This fellow no,
dine Is tail and why, About the
sizo OF the Big Boss"
Ten minutes later they came "a
Rebel creek Melody lay down q
drink his fill for the night.
Blaze got out Of his saddle. A
rock FOR hack-rest. no sat In the
shelter OF tho willows and smoked,
Time after time he met Melody In
the arroyo. Nothing happened 10
break tho monotony OF their vigil
The moon rode high. Blaze knew
Il was nearing midnight. lnnumer-
able eigarets had parched his throat.
When he reached the creek again
he got down TO drink. but the water.
which had been 40 clear and cold.
was muddy to taste He struck a
match. lie could see that his tongue
had not deceived him, Some one had
crossed the stream above him. Ten
seconds later man and horse picked
their way upstream.
Blaze figured he had come hait a
mile OF moro when My Man stumbled.
Any but a Western horse would have
been down. He slid to the ground.
rifle In hand, and went on. knowing
his horse would IL whiting there II
he returned. Another hundred yards
and he stopped. Was Il the fallacious
breath OF the night wind or his own
ears that had deceived him into hear.
ing the sound OF shod steel grating
on rock and gravelf lntsnay he
listened "a pause . and then.
clear and unmistakable. II came
again.
Flat on all fourS he erouched as
no crawled TO the mesa's rim. lie
was 30 feet above the water. Cau-
,iously no peered over. His breath
stopped Right below him seven men
toiled in the water. Rebel creek was
being damned
The vagrant night wind cddyins
on the canon wall laid heavy hands
on his rombrero and sent Il sailing
down upon tho heads OF the men
below. The weight OF the little gun
inside the hat made Il drop like a
shot 4 surprised voice retrcatcd
from It's blow. kildare knew he was
discovered Cries OF rage and anger
came up to him. His rife crawlcd
out beyond the crest. black and oni-
nous 10 those below.
Freeze where you are" he cried.
With hls left hand he drew his six.
gun and fired thrcc shots that would
BRING Melody and Chef rushing 10
his side.
In an incredibly short time Melody
dashed across the mesa He saw XIII
dare with rife TO HIS shoulder
what ls ltT he said hualSily.
Come here and see"
That's pretty. amt is?~ Melody
growied. sag. who ia he'll are you
lcIlows7"
There was no MISLEADING the voice
that rolled up in answer to the rcd
haired ones question. II was Nor
rows He was thoroly angry.
Melody he roared. who's that fool
up there with the gum
Blaze and Melody exchanged
giances.
IT'S me. Kildare" she former sho,
back. II didn't know I was making
you SIT so nice and pretty"
The two men rode away together
Melody shook his head. Il had Il
sized up about right. ! guess"
did you recognize the others?''
Sure! Bodine's crowd. The his
fellow was Bodine. The batalla
grandc Is about to begin"
The weary-cyed Kildare waited oui
the hours. A drop OF rain spiashce
again his face. AckIin. Bodinc. ans
the solemn-eyed Cash laughed aloud
Every drop Of rain WAS as mamma
from heaven. II was the last touch
needed 10 make their work MS flaw.
less as the black art OF the devil
II was long after seven when Blazs
saw Cash and Bodine ride into sight
Tho boys rode up at that instant
closely followed by the heavinl
wagon. Cash logged over 10 sec Il
safely across the creek. BodIne OF
fered Blaze n cigaret.
Cash Joined them. and he and 30.
dine went on. Blaze amblcd over e
where widget was going thru this
motions that meant breakfast foi
him. The new hand was looked Owe
by the boys. and, with the free.
masonry OF the cow-country. wal