The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-05-06

his peculiar mental condition and his
unexpected appearance at Calabasas
He sat on the box, lingering at and
fussing with his left forearm. About
him stood Pardaloe and Scott, who
had risen from the hearth, while Sci
wood stood with his back to the fire,
studying McAlpin by its light and the
light of the lantern on the table, won
dering whether McAlpin could be
wounded, and how badly, or whether
he was running a huge bluff.
John" exclaimed the barn boss,
darting his %bloodshot glance at Sci
wood, "ha' v got any ca'tridges?"
Selwood answered only after a
pause and then impassively. "a few,
Jim-whyr
McAlpin, holding his left forearm
and hand pretty well up, spoke to
Scott. "Bob," he said, stake your
knife and slit that sleeve up a bit.
I'm nicked in the arm, John, but It's
naught; Carpy bound 1t for me. John,
there's plenty doin' in Sleepy Cat"
Have they hung anybody?'
snapped Tracy fiercely.
Hanged anybody?" echoed Meal
pin, turning toward Tracy on the cot.
Il want t. tell y, Dave, the biter's bit,
tn night in Sleepy Cat. If anybody's
hanged there the night, it'll be vigi-
lantes I"
Selwood alone made no exclama-
ton. He stood quiet, with his eyes
fixed on the wounded courier.
"What do you mean, Jim?" ven-
tured Scott patiently.
II mean," exclaimed McAlpin, "the
gamblers are on top! They've
turned the tables. They've rallied hell
bent, drove the Vigilantes to cover up
town-crowding 'em to the river close
to the new railroad station-I mean
John Cole Is wounded, Abe Cole is
wounded, Chris Kickbusch is dead,
Doc Carpy is wounded, and Starbuck
is boss of Sleepy Cat-that's part Of
it, and only part of it. How many
cartridges " got, Johnr"
Meaning they need 'em"
Meaning, the minute Starbuck took
hold of the fight he doubled the
blamed Vigilantes up like a jack
knife-stole a march on the suckers
behind their backs, got into John
Coles store, where was all their am
munition, stole 1t and burnt the store
that's another part of it."
Are the barns gomez" asked Sell
wood harshly.
mot yet. Lefever and the wagon
boys are holdin' both the barns, but
if the wind comes up, they won't save
'em. There amt enough left of your
big hall on the hill to roast a chest
nut, John"
Tracy half sprang from the cot. He
poured a torrent of wrath on the Vigi-
lantes and the gamblers, with inciden-
tai shots at the fate that had kid
mapped him away from where he could
stand in defense against any and all
Corners, of his own
Selwood waited, without an inter-
ruption, for the fury Of the storm to
abate. Old David stopped only when
physically exhausted. "Now," he pant
ed, looking malevolently at Selwood,
~ hope you're satisfied. You've
played your game, amt you? Sent
everything we've got on the hill up
in smoke. And I can turn out, when
1 get up, with a pack of cards and
start all over again. / amt but sixty
years old! Why don't you say some
thing?' he demanded violently.
Selwood, turning toward his part
ner, rested his elbow on the rock
ledge above the fireplace, took from
his lips the cigar he had lighted, and
| spoke deliberately. "Tll have a lot to
say, I'm afraid, Dave-more than /
want to say to a man half sick, but
it's got to be said, whether l like it
or you like 1t or not.
"I want you to remember, Dave,
first Of all-the hall is, or was, mine
all mine. / took over your interest
yesterday afternoon in Sleepy Cat,
and turned over to you my interest
in the Thief River mine. 1t was a
trade fair to you and fair to me; you
said I was giving half a dozen times
what I was getting-I wasn't; but I
was giving you a square deal, and
you said it was a square deal, and /
know it was"
Tracy tried to interrupt; Selwood
patiently but firmly protested. ST
gave you your say, Dave. 1 waited for
all your cards; I want a chance to face
mine now-and," he added, with a
touch that Tracy had rarely heard In
his voice, Tn going to have It,"
you've tried hard to make a good
gambler out of me, Dave-and the
only reason you couldn't do it Is be-
cause 1t never was in me. When nv
own blood kicked me out, you took
the place of my-father-"
"Shut upI"
"But, Dave, I wasn't cut to travel
the lines you laid for me. You said
it tonight knew it yesterday.
$50 yesterday / closed my game.
Dave. I'm done. Yesterday 1 traded
you out of the place on the hill. /
gave you a half interest in the best
quartz vein along Thief River. Ben
Wentworth, a man as square as you
are, is your partner. You'll never
know need while the pay ore lasts.
and there's enough in sight to keen
you twenty-five years. Besides, Tn
able to work awhile myself yet. So
don't see why you should wear yonr-
self out, raving about the place on the
hill being burnt. l owned the place,
Dave; it's gone up In smoke and its
NV fault for Dave I'm toIIipo -.