New Britain herald., 1925-01-13
BEGIN HERE TODAY

He went on, pondering these things, and finding his trailing prob- lem more and more difficult. Dan- iels was showing the way. But now they were climbing into the foot hills, giving the rancher a chance 10 look back and down and dis cover his pursuor. However. tho roughness of the country was an aid to Gloster, and by keeping a sharp lookout before him, he felt reasonably secure. The afternoon wore on. The sun was westering rapidly when the blow came.
 He had rounded little pyramid of jumbled rocks as large as a cabin when dry. unhurried voice said behind him: This is my turn to say tag Gloster. Just shove up your hands, will you?"
 And over his shoulder he saw the deep-lned, solemn face of Buck [ Daniels appearing over a boulder with a rife leveled steadily upon him.
 Well. Daniels" Gloster said. turning his horse with twist of his knees so that he could see his cap- tor, and pushing his big hands above his head, it looks like you're about ten thousand dollars richer right now than you were five min utes ago."
 The rancher arose to full view and stepped from behind the rocks His horse followed him out.
 Ten thousand!" he echoed fin more disgust than triumph, so far as Gloster could see. Ten thousand for a gent that done nothing but murder a couple of harmless old sourdoughs that couldn't get gun out of leather under five minutes of work. Ten thousand for that? Whats the country coming to-" Tt is getting sort of low" Clos ter nodded.
 Tn my day." went on Daniels they didn't put that much on the head of man that would of turned and shot the rife out of my hand. before I could of pulled the trigger on him."
 was there ever man as fast and sure as that?"
 There was, son. There was. Just slip off that hoss, and without let, ting your hands come down Thanks"
 The last word was as he drew the revolver from Gloster's holster patted him for other weapons, and stepped back.
 Now you can put your hands down." he said. and the next thing want to know is why you been trailing me all day? Now, what's fir your head""
 "The same thing, take 1t by and large, that's in your head" What dye mean by that? And mind you, Gloster, want to heal you talk short and sweet. I'd mind sinking a chunk of lead into you nc mcre'n I'd mind sinking it into q fence post. You ain't man. Ior got the heart of a dog wrapped UT in a mans skin."
 There was do doubt that he mean, what he said. Honest and fierce scorn glared out of his eyes at Clos ter.
 What I mean" explained the big man, lis that I'm looking for what you're looking for - Joan."
 The rancher started violently His jaw set and his face blackened with his emotion.
 T know how she tried 10 bail you out" he said at last. "I know that you'd been sneaking around seeing her by night. But how come you 10 be trailing her now instead | of running hell-bent north or south to save your rotten hide!"
 Look here" said Gloster, "did it ever pop into your head that maybe didn't kill my two olc partners up there at the mine, but that 1 come home from hunting anc found 'em lying there dead, ant then cut and run for 1t because knew that the blame would be sure Co fall on me-"
 "What?" growled Daniels, "D'yol figure me for a downright fool Gioster?"
 If I'd been out to kill, would have wasted time working with m! fists to get out of the mess Haine' and l tumbed into when we broke out of the jail?"
 Buck Daniels started to answer changed his mind. and finally said' { Put down your hands. I got tt think things over. IL ain't nothing that you've said that makes m' want time for considering. It's jus -- what would I do with you if took you along?'
 Maybe that reward sort 0 hothers you - wouldn't know wha to do with it?" Gloster grinned.
 But there was no mirth in tho eyes ot Daniels He was staring d Harry Gloster with sort of wist' ul wonder.
 "Gloster." he said at last, "thert int nobody in the world that got so much cause for hating, bu' somehow when I'm here looking al you, cant keep on hating. I sup nose that you're crooked as a snake - but you look straight"
 The only crooked things lV' ever done was swiping the horses that I had to have to save my hid' once I started running" said thu