White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1929-03-29
CHAPTER IX-Continued

"The boys held them punched In good
shape"
A hatred of Slade was growing with
In her. Here, too, was case where
no other would benefit by the sense
less stampede. If the beef herd could
be broken up it would cause delay
to round T. up In a strange range, with
the certainty of many cows being
missed-a case OF weakening the
Three Bar.
She had been so absorbed in learn
ing the details of the new work, sc
elated at its progress, that she had
come to believe in its ultimate sue.
cess. And they had been unmolested
for so long time. Then had come
the wanton slaughter of Three Bar
bulls and now the stampede of the
trail herd. 1t was conclusive proof
that Slade had abandoned his former
wearing-down process as too slow
and was out to crush the Three Bar In
the speediest possible way through
any available means.
Harris, too, was bordering over
SHADES change of tactics. He felt as
sured that SHADES own men had not
participated in starting the run. Slade
would not let any considerable number
of his boys know that much abcut rim.
Some of Lang's mel had undoubtedly
been hired to stampede the Three Bar
herd.
"The very fact that Slade is so bald
with it is proof that be sees the ne
cessity of crowding US fast" Harris
said. IF we get too big start he's
blown up-and he hasn't had anything
to work but plowed ground. He's
o.. now to worry us at odd ends. We
can expect a steady run cf mishaps
now, for he'll work fast-but we'll win
out In the end"
She nodded a little YEARLY for she
knew that with Slade throwing all his
forces against her the Three Bar
would be hard pressed. In addition
to this worry her mind was concerned
with the rio rless horse she had seen
as she rod away from the wagon, the
huddled igure enrawled In the fiat.
Every Three Bar rider was friend
and she hesitated to hear which one
of her men had gone down In the
raid.
"Who was it," she asked at last,
and Ha4. is OWNED that she was bark
Ing back to the fallen night guard who
had tried to head the raiders alone.
1--WE been trying not to think about
that" he said. "Lanky was a good
pal of mine. saw him go down. but
couldn't stop right then"
Evans occupied place in her re-
gard that was perhaps a notch higher
tha- that of any other Of the crew.
"Can't we prove anything on Slade
do anything to stop him?" she de-
manded. IF they've killed Lanky, I'll
perjure myself if it's the only way. I'll
have Alden pick him up and I'll swear
l saw him do the thing himself. Hes
as guilty as If he actually had"
"Tve bait or two for Slade," Har.
ris said But that way may prove
too slow. If Lanky's gone under,
expect I'll have to pick q quarrel with
Slade and hurry things along"
"Don't you'll" she objected. For all
Ct her confidence In Harris efficiency
In most respects, her implicit belief In
his courage, she could not forget the
awkward swing of his gun and she
had swift vision of him facing Slade
without chance.
A crash of wagon wheels and the
voice of Waddles admonishing the
horses interrupted her.
GLOW Is Lanky?" was Harris first
query.
Waddles jerked thumb over his
shoulder. Evans, shot once through
the arm and a second time through
the shoulder, reclined on the triple
thickness bed roll the cook had spread
for him on the floor Of the wagon
"He'll come round fine In a few
days If we can keep him often horse
and riding conf Jrtable In the wagon.
I've give him orders to that effect"
Evans groaned
"He drives over places wouldn't
cross afoot," he complained. "Did
you hold the rum"
Reassurel on this point he flattened
out on his pallet and the wagon bel.
on toward the herd
The weary cows were held over for
q day of rest The night guards we're
doubled aad this precaution was main
tanned d-r,ng the succeeding two
stops before reaching the shipping
point
Harris and Billie sat on the top
rail of the loading chute while the
last few Three Bar steers were being
prodded on b ard the cars.
Harris slipped from his perch and
motioned to Moore and Horne.
"You can 60 uptown now and take
on few drinks. Hunt up an old
friend or two and wag your chins
Make it right secretive and cOntiden-
tia and make each one promise faith
full not to breathe syllable to an.
other living soul That way the news
is sure to travel rapid"
He returned to the girl as the stock
train pulled out Two hands waved a
Joyous farewell from the top of the
cars, delighted at the prospect of q
trip to market with the steers.
81 don't pretend to regret that old
Rie played even Cor Bangs" Harris
said. But | wish he'd sorted out
some on. else In the albinos place. II
was bad bualness for the Three Bar
when Harper went down."
"He was the head OF the gang" she