The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
Chapter VIA Bit of Stalking

next day the scene of interruption was repeated under almost identical circum- stances, save that the tree under which the shepherd sat was a little larger. Larger also was the man who rode over the brow of the hills to the east. mighty figure, deeply-chested, amply shouldered
 At sight of him Logan so far bestirred himself as to uncoil his long legs, rise and stand with one shoulder propped against the tree.
 Evening. Mir. Drew," he called
 Hello, Logan. How's everything with "Busy: Lot of company lately MT. Drew" Company"
 "Yes, there's young fellow come along who says he wants to see you. He's over there by the creek now, fishin' l think. told him I'd holler if l seen you, but guess you wouldn't mind ridin' over that way yourself"
 What does he want of mel"
 Dunno. Something about wanting to hunt and fish on your streams here. Wants to bunk in the old house, too Seems sort of interested in it."
 That so? What sort of fellow is he?" Pretty keen-dark, thin face, black eyes bit talky. Green; but he rides damn we'll"
 "I'll go over to him. said Drew, and started at trot for the creek.
 But no sooner had the trees screened him thoroughly from the eyes of Logan than he abandoned his direct course for the creek. He swung from the saddle with an ease surprising in a man of such age and bulk and tossed the reins over the head of the horse.
 Then he commenced a cautious stalking through the woods, silent an Indian, stealthy of foot, with eyes that glanced sharply in all directions. He worked his way up the course of the stream until he came in sight of figure far off through the trees.
 If he had been cautious before, he be- now still as night. Dropping to hands and knees, or crouching as prone, he moved from the shadow of one tree to the next, now and then venturing glance to make sure that he was pursuing the right course. until he manervered to point of vantage which commanded clear view of Bard.
 The latter was fishing. As Drew caught his first full glimpse of Anthony's face, he knew him for the man who had ridden the wild horse at Madison Square Garden those weeks before.
 Perhaps it was astonishment that moved the big man-surely it could not have been fear-yet he knelt there behind the shelter ing tree gray-faced, wide, and blank of eye, as man might look who dreamed and awoke to see his vision standing be- fore him in full sunlit life. And very like man in fear he stole back among the trees as cautiously as he had made his approach. Resuming his horse he rode straight for Logan.
 Couldn't find your young friend" he said "Tell him that he's welcome to do what he pleases on the place; and he can bunk down at the house if he wants to. I'd like to know his name though"
 That's easy. Anthony Bard"
 "Ah," said Drew slowly, Anthony Bard"
 It was a spent horse on which Drew trotted late that night up to the big yawn- ing door of his barn.
 ''Where's Nash?" he asked of the man who took his horse.
 Playing a game with the boys in the bunkhouse, sir"
 So to the bunkhouse Drew went on his way to his dwelling, knocked, and threw open the door. Inside, dozen men seated at or standing around table, looked up.
 'Nashw
 "Here."
 ''On the jump, Nash. Pm in hurry"
 There rose man of build much prized in pugilistic circles. In those same circles he would have been described as fellow with fighting face and heavyweight above the hips and lightweight below a handsome fellow, except that his eyes were little too small and his lips trifle thin.
 He followed Drew to the ranch office