White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1924-08-29
THE WOLFER
FREDERICK NIVEN
Author of Hands Up!" "The Lost Cabin Nine" etc.
Copyright 1923
DODD MEAD AND COMPANY


feet. Then he snatched Carl SCOTS
hat from his head, threw it high in
air, bent quickly, snatching up the
gun with his able left hand, and rs
the hat still scared shot at it again
and again, tossed the empty six-gun
strolled over to where the hat finally
fell, lifted it, and slapped it lightly on
Scotts head again, bullet-riddled.
"a little souvenir" he said, land
also a little object-lesson. Four in it
before it got change to hit the
ground. This is not my meter, as
they say in France. My heart is all
for the simple life, but If people de-
mand gun-play from me l can do it.
Come on then, Jack, give us hand
to tie these gentlemen's wrists to.
gether. Well tie 'em in front so that
they can hold line or grab a horn if
necessary"
Sullenly all mounted the horses
that were tied, meek and tail"
There, we're all set" said the
Wolfer. Sorry to keep you waiting,
gentlemen, but I've to see about one
of our pack-horses coming along with
us with the grub, for you may want
little snack on the way. We may
be held up at the word"
Carl Scott's chap-fallen gang sat
there, speeches., waiting his next or
der.
Tom James walked on and caught
the lines of Nancys horse, which had
come back to be with the other horses,
and led it to her. She swung to the
saddle. He caught up the trailing lines
of his own horse, threw them over it's
head and mounted.
"So-long," he said with wave of
his band to Bunt and Jack.
"So-long," they replied
"Good-bye! Good-bye!" said Nan
cy.
She rode slowly off, Jack and Blunt
waving their hats, both looking after
Nancy with the expression of admir-
ing schoolboys.
Cali set?" asked Dewar.
No one answered. He moved the
holster of his revolver over to the left
side of the horn of his saddle, mount
ed, and drawled: "Get-a-move-
on"
The horses stepped up, tied tail and
neck. He remained to one side,
watching them start, then turned and
gave little nod to Blunt and John.
Say" said Fiske. shouldn't one
Of us go, too? Can Walt handle them
alone?"
Him? You saw him give his ex-
hibition of shooting! So did they"
"True! True!" said John. "But
there's that girl"
"Shucks! She's got old man
James," He looked after her and the
string again. "And If you ask me
she's got nerve, tee.. She can look
after herse:f, l guess, pretty good
He had evidently recovered from his
tremendous first admiration. II mind
the Wolfer once said to me: When
a man thinks it's up to him to care
for a poor little female in the big
wild west he ought to brace up and
remember she's been looking after
herself till the time she met him all
right You amt smitten, are you?'
'Me? No! Oh, moi" said John.
You're queerer fellow than
took you for, then" said Bunt "Me,
I'm smitten all right. She's got all
kinds of grit, that pretty girl, and yet
amt no less a girl. She's a peach all
right. l declare it open and un-
ashamed. She's speach The mem.
DRY of her is enough to make tough
like me swear off hootch for life, all
games of change, and cigarettes"
And for the life of him John
couldn't tell whether Blunt was joking
or serious, but he had suspicion that
Blunt was "smitten." He kept silence,
and that moment they had work to do
which occupied all their attention
Their horses thought general ex.
odus was being made from these wild
high places, and fell into line to fol.
low the others, suddenly, indeed,
broke into a pursuing lope.
Whoa, you'll" cried Blunt, caught
his horse, and swung to the saddle.
John, afoot, ran to and fro, helping
him to head them off, turn them. BY
the time that task was completed, and
he stood holding the lines of the pack.
ponies, Blunt beside him, Scotts gang
was gone from sight
(To Be Continued)