The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1927-02-25
CHAPTER N-Continued

What's thatr demanded Selwood,
with shade more Of life and care
fitness in his tone-'ff Tracy said
that"
Not doubling your word at all,
Selwood-not at all But somebody
IN town like this always has TO
act as peacemaker-you know that.
The boys seemed TO pick on me for
the Job. 1t amt much Of a Job, nor
one I was looking for. But I was
foOtIoose and took it to oblige. I
found 1 was getting all the kicks and
the boys getting all the money so I
asked them TO chip in down along the
line. Most of EN- did. Tracy and
few others didn't"
wasn't Tracy the only one that
didn't?" asked SelwoOd impassively.
''That may be- don't remember.
But never had any hard feeling
against Tracy on that account. I
want you TO know that. Selwood.
You SEEM" continued Starbuck with
some irritation. "tO want to stick to
that subject. I didn't come here to-
night to rake over old scores; came
here to try to patch up new ones, Sell
wood"
Before we get out the sticking
plaster" Selwood went on evenly,
'let's get Dawes position clear-and
mine. Dave felt that a place run like
this place. where a straight game is
dealt, didn't need any protection
neither the place nor the proprietors.
It may be he made a mistake, but
that's the way Dave feIt-thats the
way I feel Now about this Bartoe
business. He robbed today, among
others, a boy here with his widowed
mother, of six hundred dollars. I told
Bartoe TO give the boy back his
money. He refused. I told him I'd
clean him out in the morning or he
could clean me out. There's no use
OF more words about it-that's all
there is to it"
'WelI. I wouldn't say that's all.
Selwood," observed Starbuck, assert
ing himself I'm here to keep law
and order and can't have any places
burned IN the business quarter of
Sleepy Cat. He's in the gambling
business same as you are
SeIwood jumped as if stung, and
used a strong word. Same as 7
amT' he echoed angrily. DO I send
out jailbirds like Atkins to drag men
in here to rob them? What do you
meanT'
It needed all Of Starbuck's dipIo-
macy TO quiet things down. He re-
hearsed Bartoe's defense. He urged
good feeling-all to no purpose. He
found he could make no impression
whatever on Selwood's firmness. He
rose at length, indignant st see I
can't reason with you. II anything
unpleasant happens-don't hold me
responsible."
Not If you keep out of It." OBJ
served Selwood, unperturbed.
I'm here to keep the peace. not TO
keep out" retorted Starbuck, ris-
ing to his full height before his
troublesome customer. Selwood rose
in turn. 81 believe you left Thief
River Just before I went there. he
said calmly. You had some trouble
regarding claim signs.''
Starbuck blazed. What do Won
mean?" he demanded.
Miners will travel all night to
round up claim jumper. But I feel
exactly as you do, Starbuck. Why
rake up old scoresT
'As far as I'm concerned" ex-
claimed Starbuck, advancing hotIv ss
Selwood purposely retreated. "if YOU
mean the bunch that tried, TO iump
my claims down there-bring on YOUR
miners !"
I'm not much on old scores. Star
buck" said SeIwood soberly. st don't
think were going TO have any trouble
here-not you and I, anyway. Our
teamsters can take care Of Bunty's
outfit tomorrow. I'm riding down TO
Thief River myself tonight on bust
ness and I've told McAIpin to keep
horse saddled for me. But I shan't
start till eleven o'clock. 1 expect be-
fore that Bartoe will have that six
hundred here. Drop in any time
Starbuck. Always glad TO see you.p
With this judicious and even-hand-
ed mixture of threats, hints. "anv-
ways" and small talk, Selwood LET
Starbuck go, with feathers once more
unruffled. But neither had fooled
the other in the slightest degree. Both
understood it was only a possible
preliminary TO situations that might
carry far into the future.
At one minute past eleven O'Clock
Selwood left the gambling hall for
the barn His pony was waiting.
Climbing into the saddle he headed
south for the Thief River road. try
ing out the new pony's steps. He had
crossed the river bridge and was
swinging out on the Spanish sinks
when he heard the clatter of hoofs
behind him. 4 horseman riding fast
overhauled him and he looked around
TO greet Bob Scott. Scott refined in
beside the gambler, with his pony on
its launches. 1.-THE moneys up.- he
grinned. You won't need to bother
tbs miners"