The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-07-09
CHAPTER lV-Continued.

80 that's the way of it," he said.
THAT'S the kind of war Mr.. Land
son makes. Well, we can fight back
with the same weapons, but that won't
cut the hay, will it,"
BY this time Y.D. and Transley,
with four other teamsters, were OBJ
served coming in. Each driver had
had the same experience An iron
stake, carefully hidden in clump of
grass, had been driven down into the
ground until it was just high enough
to Intercept the cutting-bar. The fine,
sharp knives were crumpled against
1t; in some cases the heavy cutting
bar, in which the knives operate, was
damaged.
Y.D.'s face was black with fury
That's the lowest mangyest, cow
ardliest trick I ever had pulled on
me, he was saying, I'm plumb equal
to ridin' down to Landson's an driv-
in one of them stakes through under
his short ribs"
But can you prove that Landson
did it," said Zen, who had an element
of caution in her when her father was
concerned. She had a vision of a fight,
with Landson pleading entire ignor-
ance of the whole cause of offense,
and her father probably summoned by
the police for unprovoked assault.
mo, | can't prove that Landson
did it, an I can't prove that the grass
my steers eat turns to hair on their
backs" he retorted, "but l reach my
own conclusions. Is there any shoot |
in irons in the placer"
Now, Dad, that's enough" said the |
girl, firmly. "There'll be no shooting
between you and Landson. If there is |
to be anything of that kind I'll ride /
down ahead and warn him of what's
coming"
"Darter," said Y.D.-it was only on
momentous occasions that he adj
dressed her as daughter-'I brought
you over here as guest, not as man.
nger o. my affairs. I've taken care of
those affairs for some considerable
years, an | reckon | still have the
qualifications. IF you're a-gon' to act
up obstrep'rous I'll get Mr. Transley
% lend me a man to escort you home
"At your service, Y.D.," said George
Drazk, who was in the crowd which
had gathered about the rancher, his
daughter. and Transley. "That Pete
horse ar me would JUS see her over
the hills awhoopin."
II don't think it would be wise to
take any extreme measures, at least,
lot just yet" said Transey. Its
out of the question to suppose that
Landson has picketed the whole val
ley with those stakes. 1t Is now quite
clear why we were left in peace yes
terday. lie wanted us to get started,
and get a few swaths cut, so that he
would know where to drive the stakes
to, catch us the next morning. Some :
of these machines can be repaired at :
once, and the others within a day or '
two. We will just move over a little I
and start on new fields. There's pref
ty good moonlight these nights and
we'll leave few men out on guard, |
and perhaps we can catch the enemy |
It his little game. Let us get one of |
men with the goods on him." s
Y.D. was somewhat pacitied by this {
suggestion. you're a practical devil, {
Transey." he said, with considerable G
admiration. "Now, in case of this [
kind | JUS get plumb fightin mad. l '
want To bore somebody. l guess It's v
me only kind o. procedure that comes q
ansy to my hand. guess you're right, v
tut | hate to let anybody have the
augh on me-" Y.D. looked down the t
,alley, shading his eyes with his hand. v
That son-of u-gun hasagot dozen or II
more stacks down there. don't wish r
nobody any haIu luck, but If some il
enderfoot was to drop cigar" a
I'm that case l suppose you'd pray
or west wind, Dad" Zen suggested, u
but the winds in these valleys. even h
With your prayers to direct them. are b
lone too reliable" C
Everybody to work on axinS pp 4