The Coolidge examiner., 1931-03-27

by this time? Took me about
flick of a cows tail to get one"
"Where is yore hOrseT
Back in the pines where we al
ways tie."
"We'd better get outa here" Dee
yer said. "O'Hara's posse bumped
into me half an hour ago an took
two-three shots at me. | ducked
into the big rocks and crawled up
here. But they're after me hotfoot."
where's SOmmersT
"He left me at Squaw crossing.
He's aimin' to lie low with a cousin
of his near Aqua Caliente. Wisht
I'd gone with him" There was a
hunted look in the mans eyes. His
hardy confidence has deserted him.
They'll get us sure. They're armed
with rifles an we amt, an | amt
tasted any food for most three
days"
Buck up, Deever. They've not
got US yet, an they're not gonna
get us-not without a real dog
fight first"
Thought old Rim Rock Hanson
would gimme food an horse, but
his place is deserted. What'll we
do. Bob?" whined the tOrmented
man. Tell you | haven't eat or
slept either one. I'm bucked out,
an this posse liable to be here any
minute"
keep yore shirt on, old-timer,"
advised Quantrell. "We'll try to
slip over to Bear Creek an down
il. We can ride an tie till we
pick up another horse. We both
been in a lot tighter holes than this
one. Sure have"
A voice from outside hailed the
house.
Deever started. His sunken eyes
went wildly to those of the other
outlaw. Its the posse"
81 reckon you're right. Old Amen
Owens voice, I'd say. We better
sneak outa the window an try
run for the bronc. Well make 1t
fine through the big rocks more'D
likely"
"With one horse for the two of
us we can't make getaway. l got
a good mind to surrender"
"An' you with a gun in each
hand. Fellow, you're yellow. Slide
outa that window an do like say.
If you've got any sand in yore
craw I'll pull you through"
"Tell you I'm SICK" Deever pro-
tested. 81 been through hell these
last two-three days an nights"
Yet he did as Quantrell told him.
The two crept from rock to rock.
Not till they were close to the pines
did one of the posse catch sight of
ed, but the outlaws had reached the
timber.
Deever caught his foot In a pro-
iecting rock and fell. AS Quantre1
ran past him to the horse Bob
called, keep a-comin'. Deever"
The bandy-legged man had fallen
into a panic of fear. Either he
thought that Quantrell was about
to desert him or else he feared
both of them could not escape Oh
one horse.
AS the younger man pulled the
rein from the slip knot he heard the
rapid pounding of feet of his COM
panion.
Quantrell turned. "All set, old
timer, for"
Deever's six-shooter roared twice
Bob Quantrell staggered, fired
once blindly into the ground.
lurched against the trunk of a tree.
and slid along it to the snow.
A moment, and Deever was IN
the saddle galloping for safety.
Twenty minutes later, still riding
hard, he swung around a curve in
the trail. He dragged the horse to
it's launches. For he was face 70
face with the sheriff and Jack
Phillips.
He followed his first instructive
reaction and fired at O'Hara. Be
fore the echo of the shot came
back from the canyon wall the
guns of O'Hara and Phillips were
in action.
Deever dropped his weapon and
clutche6 at the saddle horn.
Don't shoot again." he gasped
you've got me-"
Almost before they reached him
he was dead.
The officers looked at each other.
"Something drivin' him In a
hurry" Phillips said. do you
reckon he met yore boys?"
Hes riding the same horse Bob
Quantrell was two hours ago. That
is. he was a minute ago."
'Then we better go slow. Bob Is
liable to be around somewhere"
In little while they met
O'Hara's posse and learned the
news of Deever's treachery to Quan
trell.
Scared they couldn't both make
it. SO he plugged Bob twice through
the heart" Owen explained.
They carried the bodies of the
outlaws to the Circle s o ranch
where they were to spend the
night.
O'Hara did not wait for supper.
ne dlS q COuple VI SduuWlCHcS ana
drank a cup of coffee. On a fresh
horse he struck across to the Dia-
mond Tail.
1t was dark long before he
reached the ranch.
When he knocked on the door
Barbara opened it for him. At
sight of her lover she caught her
breath sharply.