The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
TRAILIN, By Max Brand


 "Shot,- said Kilrain bitterly. ''by the ten-
 "Shot? By Anthony! Give him to me-"
 Kilrain lowered his burden to the ground.
 "You've got him murdered. Ain't you through with him! Calamity, he was my pal!'
 But the big man thrust him aside and knelt by the stricken cowpuncher.
 He commanded: Gather the boys; form line of buckets from the pump; fight that fire. It hasn't hold on the house yet"
 They caught it in time and worked with a cheer. swinging the buckets from hand to hand, shouting as the flames fell little by little until the floor of the room was awash, the walls gave back clouds of steam, and the only fire was that which smoldered along the ruined table
 The rancher had torn away the coat and shirt of the wounded man, and now, with much labor, was twisting tight bandage around his chest. The eyes of Calamity rolled up: the wide lips twister over form less words; there was no sound from his mouth. Some one was holding a lantern whose light fell full on the silent struggle. It was Nash, his habitual sheer grown more malevolent than ever.
 'Kilrain," called Drew, 'you're Calamity's best friend. Ride for Eldara and bring back Dr. Young. Quick! We're going to
 ''Pn stop Tor the doctor at EldaTa," Xiii rain growled, but then I'll keep on riding"
 What do you mean?"
 ''Nothin'."
 ''Ill go with you," said Nash, and turned with the other.
 "Stop" called Drew. ''foys, know what you have planned: but let the law take care of this. / Remember that we were the ag- gressors against young Bard. He came peacably into this house and l tried to hold him here What would you have done in his place?"
 Kilrain and Nash glowered at him mo- ment, and then backed through the door.
 As they hurried for the barn Kilrain growled:
 You and me, Steve, we'll get this bird"
 wen get Glendin behind us first"
 "Why him?"
 ''Play safe. Glendin can swear us in as deputies to-sapprehended, as he calls it, this Bard. Apprehendin' feller like Bard simply means to shoot him down and ask him to come along afterward, seer"
 But will Glendin do it?"
 Hell do what I ask him to do.''
 "Got something on him?"
 These here questions, they ain't polite, Shorty" grinned Nash.
 As if to make up for it's silence the night before, Eldara was going full that evening. Kilrain went straight for Doc Young, to bring him later to join Nash at the house of Deputy Glendin.
 The front of the deputy's house was utterly dark, but Nash, unabashed, knocked loudly on the door, turned the knob, and went up the stairs. The deputy met him, clad iii a bathrobe and carrying lamp.
 Come to see you on business" announced the cattleman.
 What kind?"
 Bard
 What's he done?"
 Killed Calamity Ben at Drew's place, started a fire that near burned the house, and lifted Duffys hoss."
 ''Ill go out to Drew's place and see what he's done"
 And then start after him with gang?" Sure"
 "I'm running this little party Let me get, a gang together; you can swear 'em in and put me in charge. I'll guarantee to get him before morning"
 "It ain't legal, Steve. You know that"
 ''To hell with legality You'll do your part by goin' to Drews place with Doc Young; He'll be here with Shorty Kilrain in minute"
 And yet you go after Bard:"
 Right"
 Ears I know, you may jest shoot him down and then come back and say you done it because he resisted arrest"
 "Well?'
 "Well, partner, it can't be done. That ain't apprehepdin' man. It's just plain murder. I can't send you after him, Nash. That's final"
 Not bit. I know too much about you, Glendin."
 The glance of the other raised slowly, fixed m Nash and fhan Iovworad fn thu floor