The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-06-20

!, long drought ClOud-banks were al
ready heaping up in the sky but there
was not likely TO be another downpour
: until nightfa;l; the first rains are not
; continuous, as in later weeks. The
day promised intense heat. but the
long, rolling ridges Of the desert had
already sub-tinge of green.
Hour after hour. the two men rode
side by side. Occasionally Winton
ventured some remark. but the judge
hardly answered him; he was brood
ing. with his head sunk on his breast.
Winton was lost in dreams of Shella.
After a long time in the broiling heat
of the noon sun. he saw the faint out
lines of the distant hills before him.
First they were a blue line against
the sky. then a patch of green against
the brown of the desert. He pointed
thep out to his companion. but the
judge only looked up. nodded. and re-
sumed his brooding. Presently he
raised his head. and Winton was
alarmed TO see the light of the deadly
purpose in his. eyes.
Hell make for there, Garrett"
he said.
"Seaton?"
Judge Davis nodded. "They told me
last night" he answered. That's
why / wanted TO give him a nights
start. He'll have made that place by
now I've been there-long ago. Wen
meet. II will be the fulfillment of a
quest that occupied a great part of
my time years ago. Garrett; l put II
aside. but / never abandoned II alto
gether, and now I've taken 1t up
again."
II occurred to Winton that II Judge
Davis went mad, he would go mad in
precisely that cool, methodical way.
He wondered If he was armed, and
what he would do If he and Seaton
met. And he cursed himself for not
having reflected that such a meeting
was highly probable.
He had fleetinl idea of attempt
ing physical restraint, but he aban-
doned the idea instantly. Whatever
needed to be done must be done when
the time arrived.
The distant hills grew nearer. Green
valleys and precipitous heights APP
peared. The sun was at the zenith.
The horses walked with hanging
heads, painting. Not a living thing
appeared on the vast plain except the
steeds and their riders.
But presently Winton caught sight |
of something on the far horizon that
looked like vast flock of sheep. Yet |
surely no man had ever owned so
large a herd. 1t formed wide arc.
miles in length. along the edge of
the desert.
1t was a mirage, of course. But,
even so, somewhere the reality ex-
listed; and Winton, more puzzled than
ever, followed it with his eyes as he
rode on, wondering when it would dis
appear II did not disappear. The
entire herd seemed moving in the d.
rection of the hills. now about four
miles away, travelling almost parallel
with the horses, yet with sufficient in
clination TO make 1t probable that
If it were indeed a real herd, it would
pass into the valley toward which the
riders were making.
At last Winton called the judges
attention TO the flock. But Judge Da-
Wis, seeming hardly to be aware OF
his presence, shook himself impa-
tiently and rode on. immersed in his
morbid introspection.
The flock appeared to keep pace
with the horses. and II was now
clearly converging toward the pass
Winton. watching 1t, abandoned the
idea that 1t was mirage Yet 1t
could not possibly be any mans flock.
There were hundreds Of thousands Of
the animals. moving, apparently,
without herdsmen.
The valley opened before them
Ninton recognized his location; the
native village was not far away. The
'iders were already ascending into
he foothills. AS they rounded one
# the bases of the mountain chain
Vinton looked back, and saw the herd
much nearer. Then it was lost to
sight, and he thought no longer of
he prodigy in thinking of Sheila.
They rode along the winding pass
seending. descending. until at last
he cluster of beehive huts appeared
D the distance.
Suddenly Winton saw that Judge
)avis was clutching a revolver in his
and
The s.glt shocked HIN hut less than
he look which Davis face lad now
ssumed. II Seaton was In the vii
lge there would be murder. Winfon
lied to rake the weapon gently from
avis hand; hut with an adroit
lovement as If he had been on guard
u the time. the judge wrenched him
IF away and suddenly spurred the
orse he rode. which darted on ahead
own the valley.
(To BE coNTINUED.)