The Coolidge examiner., 1931-02-06
CHAPTER IX-Continued


QuantrelI glared at Ingram.
What was in the lads mind nobody
knew. Apparently he did not
move, but there was a sort of rip
pie of tensed muscles that foretold
motion of some sort. In the safe
breath the loop of ROche's lariat
snaked forward. Ii dropped over
QuantrelI's shoulders as low as his
waist. Instantly the cowboy drew
the rope tight with a savage jerk.
pinning the others arms to his
side
Before Quantrell could free him.
self Ingram closed with him. In
the hands of the big cattle man
the killer was like n child. Ingram
wrenched the rifle from his grip
and sent il flying through the air.
Struggling desperately. the boy
was flung TO the ground and his
hands were pinned down by one
of Ingram's. The six-ShOOters of
the gunman were wrenched from
their ScabbardS and tossed aside.
The cattle man caught his shirt
at the throat and dragged him to
his feet. They stood for an in
stant glaring at each other, the
yOungster held at arms length by
the powerful grip of the Diamond
Tail owner
"Fll kill you for this" Quantrell
cried with furious oath, his voice
breaking into hoyiSh faIsetto
Ingram did not answer. He was
not through. His eyes had fallen
on quirt hanging from nail
driven into the wall of the house
Toward this ne propelled his vic
tim. forcing him mp the steps to the
porch. The hoy tried savagely to
fight himself free
AS Ingram rpached for the whip
Quantrell realized what he meant
to do md Shripked protest.
Don't y0u dasS touch me = Don't
You Don't you -
The cattle man paid no attention.
Ills muscular forearm held the hoy
off while the lash hiSSed through
the air and cniled itself around the
slender body protected only by
flannel shirt Six-nine-twelve
times the quiri rose and fell. Qnan-
trell fonehi To escape the torture.
snarlin2 and biting like an animal.
Those watching the scene stood
SILENT startled at what they saw.
There We're no sounds except the
swish of the iaSh. the Scuffle of the
shifting feet ana the whine of
wiId-beaSt fury issuing from the
throaf of the writhing man.
Ingram stopped. flung away the
whip
Gather those gmns." he ordered
Roche.
When the cewboy had done this
the cattle man threw the young ont
law down the steps.
Get out OF here" he ordered.
''Out of this country or ri hunt
you down like | promised"
Quantrell rose TO his feet. He
was subbin2 with the fury of un
cOntrOllahle humiliation and pain
His voice was so broken that he
could hardly make coherent the
dreadful threats he poured out
Grimly. Ingram looked down at
him. He did noi answer the mans
rawlings. Standing there. straight
and stern, ne was picture of
masterful strength.
The youn. killer limped to his
horse. dragged himself to the sad
die, and rode away
Harvey was the first to speak.
''I'll say you're thorough, Dave"
I'll run him Outa the country
Ingram turned To the others Bows
our party is off for today. The
jefferson county war is about over
looks like. WeS Steelman an are
gonna patch mp our troubles. Don't
any of you get on the prod with
any of the IIaShknife warriors for
IL day or two till we see what's
what. Come on into the house
Tom. want to talk it over with
you"
Barbara did not ride straight
home after her talk with Ingram
nut turned aside 10 the Circle S O
ranch She wanted to talk with
Garrett O'TIara before she saw her
father. AS she travelled the hills
and the gulcheS between the creeks
on which the ranches lay her heart
was lifted as ii had not been for
many days Yet back of the ex-