Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-10-24

and realized that If this young man
were supposed to have offered his
services in going for help. there would
have been no earthly object In re-
turning to the fire. He would simply
have turned around and headed for
Tecolote. AS matter of fact 1t was
only when the little car came to a stop
the Simmins awoke to the fact that
he had 10 say anything at all. The
terror of that wolf-cougar-bear-p
yl-bandersnatchrsc reechowl com.
bination had completely benumhed his
faculties. When the young man had
pulled up and said, Hop aboard" he
had hoped aboard utterly unaware
even that he had said that yes. he was
going that way.
Yes, sir; certainly. SIR" he an.
swered Mr.. Grimstead's remark. .But,
sir, although our tank Is ruined, sir, 1t
occurred TO me that by filling the
vacuum tank by hand every few miles
we would be able to work our car to
,.
The vacuum tank holds approximately
a quart, which should take us two
and half miles. We would have to
borrow from this gentleman only
about two and half gallons of gaso.
line. | hope | have done right, SIR
ended Simmins virtuously.
He managed by his manner to con.
vey the impression that all those de
tails had been considered and dis.
cussed with his new companion, As
matter of face Smmins was spin.
ming 1t out as he went along. The
chief idea was to bring up fresh and
interesting issues so that the fact that
he had been found budding over fire
Instead of tramping manfully along
the road to Tecolote should become
too trivial to mention. Simmins was
the best twohanded liar In America
because he could hit from any position
at any time. OF course there IS moth.
Ing immoral about lying like that:
morality has nothing to do with great
Arr. Naturally. then, Simmins realized
perfectly there was one weak point In
his discourse, and he had his reinforce
ments ready II needed. but that con.
tingency seemed unlikely.
quite right, Smmins; quite right"
Crimstead was saying.
But Miss Burton stirred; and Sim
Minis muscles frightened.
Il suppose this gentleman has that
much gasoline to spare" she threw In.
apparently Idly.
That was the weak point. Simmins.
naturally did not know.
He offered his assistance, miss" he 9
replied stifiiy. After all you had ito
have some luck and by the size of Ills
camp pack he must be on an extended
cruise.
During this short colIoquy the
young man had sat at the wheel, his
twinkling eyes leisurely appraislng the
party. Grlmstead approached.
ut Is very good Of you to help u.s.
said he politely.
A fleeting expression Of puzzlement
swept the newcomers brow; but he
answered with equal courtesy.
"Glad to be of any assistance
And waited.
Burton caught the puzzlement, and
Instantly looked toward Simmlns Ia
time to capture the tall end Of en-
treaty directed toward the youth.
"SImmlns," said Grimstead, "have
we sufficient receptacles?"
I'm afraid not, sir. The canvas
bucket would hardly do"
Perhaps" Grimstead addressed the
young man, you could also let US
have utensil?v
What sort of a utensil?" inquired
the stranger. He was enjoying him
self; but he could not yet make out
the situation.
"A pail would do I should think"
GrImstead was answering him, "some-
thing that would hold about two and
half or three gallons"
"All right, | have such a pail. You
can have It," and waited again.
4And perhaps a funnel, II 1t would
be possible" put In Simmins hastily.