The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-07-24
CHAPTER e
Hard knurhles

AhAA fsit ~
Hard Knuclles
Buck aud his men. back a. their
camp early next morning, we're
counting the cattle they had stolen.
and commlssrating about the dehaelc
OF their raid
III some traitor hadn't LEI those
ranch birds loose from the bunk
house we'd had the whole herd
growled Buck.
He looked over the men. then
snarled
where's that road astnt--idaho
lBnlg"
They counted heads and discovered
the new man was missing AZ thiH
moment Topaz Tagsart rode into
camp. aud calling Buck. said
stella Moutrose Is coming 10 meet
me. Leave some Of tho boys here
for another little job Send tho rest
Of them over the border With those
cows, pronto,
Buck told him about the disap
pearanec OF Idaho BllL Taggari 8
eyes El5fed
I'VE mus, md The double crosssr."
he snapped, before BE can expose
ua have a way Of dralink with
skunks."
Back Of tho brush az Tho edge of
tho camp lAy Terence. watching and
listening lntently, with him was
Komi. whom he had met on his way
Terence hastily scrubbed note. and
handed i, 10 tho Indian.
Take this to Mary Marshall: then
wait for her at your hut on Sierra
Dlahio. no said. '1'n como later"
The Indian mounted his horxa and
sped Off. Terence leaped 70 his sad.
die and rodo into camp.
"Look--thero he Is shouted ozo
OF tho men as Terence appeared.
Two OF tho men Jumped him. only
TO meet his bare knucklca and be
knocked cold. AZ Buck came up
shouting. Wen give him ropes
end. " and tho other men crowded
round. Terence drew gun.
Idaho Bill amt in the habit OF
talSln' rough jokes in tho darn" Ter.
cnca said. calmly but menAclugly.
Maybe you KIN shed some light
we've been missing" Buck snarl.
cd accusingly. ''WhyT'
'I'yo been savin' your necks by
throwing them ranch punchors Off
your trail. that's what been doln."
Terence answered dcrisivoly.
''Yo mean 70 doublc.crossod na on
tho job" Buck hissed. an"
Terence icapcd from his horse and
grabbing Buck by tho throat, cried,
You lie! got good eyes an
they're lookin at tho guilty snake
now.
Buck answered with a staggering
blow 10 Tercncc's jay. Terence re.
taiiated in a flash. and the two men
closed in fierce combat Two OF the
men made to interfere. but Taggart
stopped them.
let 'em fight II out themselves, "
he said.
They did. For half an hour. Ter.
enco held the offensive almost thru
out. They sloughod and punched each
other mcrcilessly. Each hit the
ground time after time. Buck more
often than Terence. But both were
game fighters. gluttons for punish
ment always coming back for more.
Until finally In one OF his PUSHES. Ter.
ence plunged at Buck. hitting like
battering ram. registering iron blow
after Iron blow. TIL Buck fell
crumpled up on tho ground. cut,
bleeding, battered. and completely
done In.
He lay stlll. and Terence. facing
about to the others, we'll battered UP
himself, but grimly game for more.
shouted.
ANY OF you other hombres got
funny ideas about meg''
Mono responded.
"Then from now on Idaho Bits
running this gang" Terence yelled.
They exchanged looks OF approval
at this announcement, and Taggart
stepped forward and looked him over
with calculating half suspicious eyes.
After a moment Taggart said.
Guess the right man won--you'll
do for the job, and offered his hand,
CHAPTER 20
Seige
At tho Bar NJ that morning they
were making plans for protection
against further attacks, when komi
rode in and delivered the note from
Terence TO Mary. Excitedly, she
read It aloud, TO Stella and Bud;
Rush word 10 Sheriff at Pico he
can trap rus,lcrs with stolen steers
at Coyote Pass near Mexico line.
You ride TO Komi's hut quick ana
await mo there. Two found my wolf.
IL we can locate Laqul gold your
troubles viii be endod.-ldnho."
"Who'n blazos is Idaho2" asked
Bud
Mary was on the point OF revealing
that II was Terence; then sho re-
mcmborod no asked that no one be
told, and simply replied.
"A friend we can rely upon Sho
went on.
"Thc phone wires were cut last
night-how shall we get word to the
shcriff2-Is tho alrplanc In shape for
uscY
Bud scratched his head, ana Bold,
"May bo little risky but
"J1l 80 with YOU Bud stolln
broke In. "if Ms got wings we ~
make II ny as wo used TO In lilo old
flying elreua days" .A-....AA