Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-01-03
By G.. L. Edholm

meant his own death. Jim was the only
witness to the crime outside of Kendall's
own gang. He would not be permitted
To live.
Fast as his thoughts were, the action
OF the bandits had been even quicker.
While Kendall kept the cowboy covered,
two OF his men had ~dismounted, tied him
securely with ~lariats. and picked up his
guns. At Il glance they had seen that
Devine was dead and they paid no
further attention to him.
AS soon as Kendall saw that the
puncher was tied he ~dismounted and
with a cynical grin on his face walked
past jim and stopped over Devine's body.
But Just ais he was beginning to search
the pockets for the wallet, something
caused him to s%traighten up with a look
OF apprehension on his hard. thin face.
Far IN the distance some one had fired
three shots in quick succession. No
doubt 1t was a signal, for instantly the
outlaws, who had d~ismounted, leaped to
the saddles ready for action.
metallic voice quoted them.
It's all right. you blasted FOOLS" he
snarled. We'll make out getaway, all
right. Here, pick up that body and tie
it over the saddle"
While DeYine's corpse was being dashed
~ he saddle of his own horse, Jim was
lnsed to his mount and his feet tied un
oCi Vic ilOlSt , UOuN. litI tilc eIlllIt
gang set spur to their ponies and started
up the mountain side at a gallop. the
helpless Jim II his slaughtered I'M
ployer in their midst.
Evidently the signal of pursuit had
warned the whole gang. for when, after
an hours riding, Jim and his captors ar
rived at a hiding place far up in the
rugged mountains. they found other
members of the rustler's outfit awaiting
them. 1t was plain that they considered
themselves safe in this o canyon,
buried SO deep in the wilderness. Now
the bandits appeared perfectly at ease,
and threw themselves from their horses,
loosening their cinches, and letting the
animals Craze.
Jim saw there were more than a dozen
hard faced, black proved ruffians III the
gang. Some were Mexicans. others were
black bearded foreigners from God knows
where, but only Kendall and a couple of
his lieutenants were of American stock.
They had an air of command that made
the rest of the gang Jump to attention
when they spoke.
AT Lee Kendall's instructions the body
of Joe Deyine was unlashed from his
horse and thrown roughly to the ground,
then, while his two l~ieutenantS Stood
looking on. Lee Kendall began searching
the pockets OF the dead man, and finding
nothing, tore open the clothing in hope
or discovering q money belt.
Nothingl One of kendall's lieutenants
ripped out a string of profanity, but the
leader silenced him.
Shu up, Renol" he barked, but the
expression of his greenish eyes showed
that he was equally furious.
Unite that locoed cowpuncher and
bring him over here he commanded.
In q few seconds Jim had been united,
lifted from his horse and was dragged,
stumbling on his half benumbed legs,
before the chief.
Have you got that money on you?'
demanded Kendall.
What money!" asked Jim inn%ocently.
But his only answer was a smashing blow
in the mouth from Kendall's fist. While
Jim, dazed and giddy from the blow, was
splitting red from his bleeding mouth,
Kendall barked, Search him!"
Instantly Reno and the other lieuten-