Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-08


man on the river bank.
Presently ne rode out into an open.
ing from which he could see place
where a ferry touched. Moored to TIT
opposite bank was the ferryboat.
The rider sat his horse, aware tina
the man he had observed had stepped
behind some willows. Such q move
might have been casual. Then the mar
moved out into plain sight.
"Howdy," he said, laconically.
"Howdy," replied the rider. He be-
came aware of penetrating scrutiny
which no doubt resembled his own.
| The rider saw a striking figure of {
man, gray with dust, booted and spur
red, armed to the teeth. His wide som
brero Swallowed sharp, bold face.
Admin to cross%' he queried.
eyes. I see feTFyboat over there.
But ON the moment the rider wal
watching his queStiorer. Then he sweep
a long leg over the pornnel and slid
! to the ground, without swerving in thu
slightest from a direct front. Lucky
for me If I can cross on it. My horse
is all in"
Noticed tibet Fine boss. Wal, I'vt
been hangin' around for an hour
waitin' to go over. Reckon he'll be alont
soon"
TOWN of Green River, isn't it?"
"Thet's the handle, You're a stranger
| hereabouts?"
| IT am that"
where you hail fromr'
ct suppose might as we'll say Wy
oning as any place." returned the rider
casually.
The other man relaxed with a laugh
"Shore. One place Is good as another
| Same as a name Mine is Hank Hays.
He spoke as If he expected it to be
recognized. but it brought no reaction
| from his listener.
"You know this countryT queried the
rider, and he too relaxed.
"Tolerable."
Maybe you can tell me whether ]
ought to stop or keep on traveling?"
"Hawl Haw! I shore can. But that
depends" he said, pushing back his
| sombrero.
Depends on what?" the rider asked
Wal. on you. Have you got any
money!"
About ten dollars"
Huh. You can't go in the ranch bust.
ness with tibet. Not regular ranchin'
Lots Of cattle between here an the
brakes of the Dirty Devil. Henry Noun
tains. too. Some outfit over there. Air
you a cattleman2"
mo" replied the rider, thoughtfully
"Wal thet's straight talk from a
stranger" replied Hays, who evidently
took the blunt denial as something sig
nificant. "Hullo, another rider.
Shore the desert is full Of strangers TO-
day"
Back up the trail appeared a short
heavy man astride horse and leading
two pack animals.
Il saw him q while back. And here
comes our ferryman Looks like boy"
Huh. You haven't them eyes fol
nothin'. Wal. we'll get across now"
The rider. after another glance at the
approaching man with the horses, took
note of the ferry Boat and third trav-
eIer arrived at the bank about the same
time.
Hays, after a sharp look at the man
, with the three horses, led his animal
aboard.
How much is the fare?' queried the
newcomer.
1.-TWO bits"
For man or beast?"
well, sir. the regular fare Is two bits
for each man an horse"
Whereupon the stout man threw the
packs OF his horses and carried them
upon the beat.
wal, now. what is this fussy old
geezer about?" queried Hays much in
terested.
It was soon manifest. He tied the
halter of his lead pack horse to the tail
of his saddle horse. The second pack
animal was similarly attached to the
first. Then, bride in hand, he stepped
aboard
"Ali right, boy. Go ahead"
But. sir, amt you fetchin' your
hoses on, too?'
Eyes, but I'll swim them over be-
hind the boat. Get a move on now"
The ferTyboy pushed of with his
pole, and dropping that for the big oar,
he worked the boat out into the cur
rent, which caught 1t. and moved 1t
across quite readily into the slack water
on that side.
Didn't like that, did you, Boy?" the
rider said, as he led the animal ashore.
Hays slapped his mount, driving him
of the ferry, while he watched the
stout man lead his three horses along
the gunwale Of the boat, until they
could touch bottom. Heaving and
splashing, they waded out. and their
owner followed, carrying one pack.
Fetch my other pack, boy" he
called.
Johnny, don't do nothin' Of the
kind" observed Hays.
"I reckon I didn't intend to-" said
the boy, resentfully.
Putting hard. the stout man carried
his second pack ashore.
You're not very-obliging," he said,
gruf1y, as he felt in his pocket for loose
change. The ferryboy came ashore,
followed by Hays.
Presently the stout man, grumbling,
and evidently annoyed at the necessity
of producing a fat pocketbook, took out
a one-dollar bill.
The rider, amused and interested
from his stand on the bank. saw some
thing that made him start Hays
whipped out a gun.
Throw up your hands," suddenly
yelled Hays.
SWha-at's this? R-robbers" the
stout man gulped.
Hays reached for the mans wallet.
Then he stepped back, but still with
gun extended.
Get out of here now" he ordered.
And apparently he paid no more heed
to his frightened victim.
Pretty we'll heeled. for an old bird, y
observed the robber, squeezing the fat
wallet.
you'll hear from me, you glib
tongued robber," replied the other, furi-
ously, as he rode away.
Hays sheathed his gun. He did not
need to turn to face the rider, for
singularly enough he had not done any
thing else.
How'd tibet strike you, Stranger"
pretty neat. 1t amused me-" re-
piled the rider.
Els tibet alp"
IT guess so. The stingy old skinfint
BCCnDrS