The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-04-01
1 HE FREE TRADERS

In q hurried manner. repeated hi
companions gestures. For sewers
moments the light of the camp fir
silhouetted the calm faces of the gir
! and Lee and the vindictive, scowlin
ones of the two men.
Then Pierre leaped to the ground
, "By gar, It's de Teller dat tell M
'dat'll be all, I" he shouted. What 70,
tink you're doing here you d-n four
fusher?"
Maybe the same as you" said Lee
"Ho. no, dat's good" roared the
breed. You t'fnk we take you In a.
pardner. heinz"
wouldn't SO with you. I've got
my own hand to play" Lee answered
You won't play 1t here. thenI" bel
lowed Shorty. ~
Oaths poured from his lips. Pack
and vamose" yelled Pierre. The two
advanced on Lee with belllgerent ges-
lures.
Lee held up his hand as the fists
threatened him. Didn't tell you
don't fight" he drawled deceptively.
you don fight7 BY gar, you're
goin' to fight dis time or gltl" yelled
Pierre. you 'fraid of gIttin' whipped,
eh?"
That's about the size Of It,"
laughed Lee. That's why I shoot In
stead-quick and straight and sure,
gentlemen %
His right hand made movement
in his coat pocket. but his automatic
was in the holster at the back of his
hip, and there was nothing in the
pocket more lethal than his pipe.
But Pierre, who was nearest,
changed color. The man was cur at
heart. as Lee had suspected. He
leaped back with a snarl. Shorty
stepped back. too. though not quite so
violently, and the two, Withdrawing
out Of range, proceeded to hold a
whispered colloquy. at the end of
which. turning away without another
word to Lee, they proceeded to set
up their camp at little distance.
Lee turned to the girl, who had
stood O silent spectator Of the scene.
II ought to have explained, per-
haps." he said. you recognized that |
man who insulted you last night. A |
little later happened to overhear the
pair Of them speaking of a plan they
had formed for Intercepting you to-
night. I didn't want to alarm you, in
case they failed to appear. but that is
why l proposed to camp beside you.
think they are INSCRIPTIONS custom
ars, and you've probably reached the
same decision after the scene that has
Just taken place."
Thank you, but assure you that I
I'm quite capable Of protecting my
'elf," answered the girl, and Lee saw
Ter fingers stray toward a service
'ize revolver holster at her belt.
"Of course don't want to intrude,"
'aid Lee. But as long as these men
ire here, think l ought to remain"
She took step or two toward him,
ooking at him fixedly. "Who and
What are your" she demanded with ..
uivering lips. How am l to know ,
hat you are not those mems friend, !.
hat this Is not all part of an arranged :
LAMP
Il am not friend, or associate Of
hose men," answered Lee Indignantly.
I never saw either Of them until one
them insulted you In the hotel yes
erday evening. know that they are
tanning to do you some HARM"
WELL and-you?" she asked, trying
, keep her voice steady.
you suspect me?
Il don't know. l trust nobody.
SIX you why you are here"
MY object in camping here beside u
ou tonight Is simply to protect you" .'
ee equivocated V Il
She answered.. with an effort at
ony. "And my answer to you Is that
do not need protection, but that this
'untry is free for all-for those men u
Id for you OF
She went back into her tent, leav- s.
g Lee stupe6ed. The pair were al N
ady seated In front Of their fire, al
unching slabs of bread and raw Df
con. They had been watching Lee III
ID the girl furtively throughout the TO
terview. Lee wondered whether the In
rs demeanor had given them any XII
lling Of its termination. He had "a
yer felt so foolish.
II they persuaded her that they WI
re more to be trusted, the situation
uld be serious one for her. Lees pa
sition was certainly far more en- wi
rrasslng than he had anticipated pu
was almost as If the girl had de- Nc
ed to throw In her lot with the pair