The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-06-25
COPYRIGHT BY ROBERT STEAD

/ densed milk, tins with marmalade
and jam, and plates with butter sadly
suffering from the summer heat. The
cook filed their granite cups with hot
tea from a granite pitcher, and when
the cups were empty filed them again
and again. And when the tables were
partly cleared he brought out deep
pies filed with raisins and with evap-
GRATED apples and a thick cake from
which the men cut hunks as generous
as their appetite suggested. Transley
had learned. what women are said to
have learned long ago, that the way
to mans heart is through his stom-
ach, and the cook had carte blanche.
Not man who ate at Transley's table
but would have split his blood for the
boss or for the honor of the gang
The meal was nearing It's end when
! through a window Linder's eye caught
sight of man on horseback rapidly
approaching. "Visitors, Transley," he
was able to say before the rider pulled
up at the open door of the covered
wagon.
He was such a rider as may still
be seen in those last depths of the
ranching country where wheels have
not entirely crowded Romance off of
| horseback. Spare and well-knit, his
figure had a suggestion of slightness
which the scales would have belied.
His face, keen and clean-shaven. was
brown as the August hills, and above
it his broad hat sat in the careless
dignity affected by the gentlemen of
the plains. His leather coat afforded
protection from the Leaf of day and
from the cold of night.
Good evening, men," he said, cour-
teously. Don't let me disturb your
meal. Afterwards perhaps l can have |
word with the boss"
That's me- said Transley, rising.
mo, don't get up" the stranger pro-
tested, but Transley insisted that he
had finished, and, getting down from
the wagon, led the way little dis
lance from the eager ears of its occu-
pants.
My name is Grant," said the strang-
er; "Dennison Grant. 1 am employed
by Mr.. Landson, who has a ranch
down the valley. If I am not mistaken
you are Mr.. Transley"
You are not mistaken" Transley
replied.
And I am perhaps further correct"
continued Grant, Sin surmislng that
you are here on behalf Of the Y.D.,
and propose cutting hay in this val
ley?'
"Your grasp Of the situation does
you credit" Transley's manner was
that of man prepared to meet trou-
BILE somewhat more than half way
"And I may further surmise," con-
tinued Grant, quite unruffied, that
YD. neglected to give you one or two
points of information bearing upon
the ownership of this land, which
would doubtless have been of interest
10 your
Suppose you dismount," said Trans
ey. Il like to look a man in the lace
when l talk business 10 him. :.
That's fair" returned Grant, swing
ng lightly from his horse. 81 have a
preference that way myself" He ad- f
7anced to within arms length of y
rransley and for a few moments the f
wo men stood measuring each other I
t was steel boring steel; there was
lot a flicker of an eyelid. L
1--WE may as we'll get to business. I
irant," said Transley at length 81 Il
lso can do some surmising. I sur "
lise that you were sent here by Land a.
on TO forbid me to cut hay In this val 81
ey On what authority he acts l h
either know nor care. l take my
riders from Y.D. I'D. said cut the gi
ay. 1 am going to cut it," W
You are not ~
Transley's muscles could be seen to he
o tense beneath his shirt. te
"Who will stop me?" he demanded. VI
"You will be stopped" nj
1.-THE mounted police?" There was
,ntempt in his voice, but the con- M
mpt was not for the force. 1t ru
as for the rancher who would ap- ca
,al to the police to settle friend no
" dispute.
mo, 1 don't think it will be neces- or;
ny to call in the police" returned too
rant, dropping back to his pleasant, WI
sual manner. You know YD., and
ubtless you feel quite safe under Re
S wing. But you don't know Land o'c
n. Neither do you know the facts
the case-the right and wrong of it. hel
lder these handicaps you cannot ing
ach a decision which is fair to your vel
# and to your men," wo
Further argument is simply waste to
time" Transley interrupted. 81 have but
d you my instructions, and I have pro
d you that am going 70 carry them CAV
t. Have you had your supper?" wa.
Yes. thanks. All right. we won't of
rue any more. I'm not arguing now mes
IN telling you. Y.D. has cut hay had
this valley so long he thinks he mir
rs it, and the other ranchers began his
think he owned 1t. But Landson der
! been making few inquiries. He cha
Is that these are not public lands, of
are privately owned by SPECTATORS Lin,
New York. He has contracted with ! ban