New Britain herald., 1923-04-25

Acklin, boss Of the Double A ranch and Bodine, new owner of the old Webster place. rob the Basques ot Paradise Valley of their water supply Acklin secretly builds dam and takes the water supply from Bodinc. Jose leader of the BaSques, is shot and killed from Ambush, Mercedes daughter Of Jose. accuses Acklin of the murder. Kildare, one of Acklin's men, in love with Mercedes is hunt ing the murderer Of his brother.
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 You heard. Bodine," he muttered ominously Tt goes for you. When crooks fall out, it's long drop. You'd better drop out of sight"
 Buck tried to interrupt, but the boy waved him down with a word; Git"
 A movement in the crowd made it eloquent.
 Night was at hand The whip poorwills were chanting their mo- notonous dirge as they winged across the whispering sage, Defeated, broken, tired with their struggling. the weary Basoues were alone at last in the graying twilight with the fate that confronted them. They had come to the battle strong and deter mined but now. as they turned to be- gin the long trip back to their homes. they moved with bowed heads. They were beaten.
 CHAPTER XXIv.
 The Red Trail
  watched Bodine's movements with un- tiring patience. Ackln had sent Melody and him into the hills again. For hours at time they would hold glass on the house on Webster Creek. Life there became as fa- miliar as if they were on the spot They counted eight men: Buck and seven others. Their features were not recognizable, but the big fellows size marked him. No one worked. In the heat of midday the Double A riders rarely caught sight of any of them.
 Morrow met his men one morning. He had no news. He had heard that up their belongings and moved on. Cash made light of 1t. The fight was over! ...-
 He was right, apparently. Blaze had supposed Bodine would kick back once or twice before giving up: but four days had gone by, and he had not stirred from his retreat.
 The following morning. however, there were signs of life at the Web ster ranch. Shortly after daylight | Buck and his men were in the saddle, | and by noon they had rounded up | their stock, now about three hun dred head. An hour later they were in motion, pointed for Winnemucca.
 They're headin' for the railroad, sure as you're born," Melody called to Blaze. We can see them from here for an hour or more. When they reach the | river, I'm going to hike down there"
 Melody studied his friends face be- fore he spoke again.
 Every once in while you pull a mysterious crack like that" he finally said. What you got up your sleeve?"
 Tt goes back a long ways, old timer. Some day maybe you'll find out" Kildare got to his feet. But I ain't got any intention of lugging you into trouble. This is my own l,ttle affair. I'll wait here. and you can drift back to the Bulls Head"
 You make me sick" the red haired one answered savagely.
 T don't want to cheat you out of anWhin'," Blaze murmured in his drawling manner. Come on along If you feel thatway about it."
 Their proposed plan received jolt IS they saw Bodine and his men separate at the river. Three of them headed back for the Webster. The distance was so great that Blaze could not tell whether Buck was lmong those who had gone on or not, "One of us has got to stay here now, Melody. You wait; I'll go."
 By hard riding over roundabout course, Kildare trailed the moving herd into town. Bodine and the man were not among those present. The steers were loaded the next morning, and the six riders who had brought them in immediately returned to the Webster.