The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-01-02

the break through the window. He
out-generaled me. No question Of
either Of us shooting from where we
were. Too many women around. So
he came out through the window
while / watched the door. He knows
we're hot on his trail and he'll try to
get away at once Chances are he'll
head toward the Delgado stable for
the horses. II so, we'll have another
brush with him."
A voice hailed them.
s'That's Jess" said Badly Brown.
It was. Worrall had sent him to
find out the cause Of the firing.
Nobody been for the horses yet?''
the sheriff asked.
"Not yet. Pankey showed up an
took a look at the horses to see they
were all right, then came out again.
We didn't even chirp.'
"Pankey, eh?"
"Steve was right sure 1t was Pan
key. Couldn't see his face much, but
the fellow limped like Pankey does"
Within five minutes they had joined
Worrall and Mccarthy, who were hid
den behind an adobe wall across the
road from the stable. They held a
hurried low-voiced consultation.
"rve a notion to take scout around
the Gomez place." O'Hara said. Like
ly the family won't stay at the dance
now, and Bob will try to meet Dolores
before he leaves town. Steve, you
come with me and look around there.
Well be back SOON"
Owen rubbed obviously the I'M
shaven bristles on his chin. you're
crowdin' that boy considerable, Gar
rett. I done told you he's got more
sting to him than a sidewinder. You
better stick around here with the rest
of us, don't you reckon?"
"When you call for a showdown
with Bob you wanta be sure you've got
an ace in the hole Badly Brown said,
drawing a plug of chewing tobacco
from his pocket. "He can sure make
busted flush go long way. An
most usually you'll find his cards are
all red when they're tipped over.
Now my idea is to sit here an"
O'Hara cut CURLY into Baldy's dis
course. mot debating society we're
holding I'm here to capture Bob
Quantrell. The way to get him is to
go after him. Come along, Steve"
Worrall grinned at Owen and
Brown. "String along with Garrett
here an you'll have lively times, boys,
long as you have any. My last words
are that if I'd lived better life I
wouldn't of been here. All right,
Sheriff. Scratch gravel"
OHara and his long lean deputy
moved away and were lost in the
darkness.
There's lad. that Garrett O'Hara.
who's had more bullheaded luck than
a niger with rabbits foot" Badly
drawled, little resentful. When he
was making Grafton he did not like to
be cut off so abruptly.
Luck yore foot!" scoffed Owen.
HE makes his own breaks, Garrett
does. He's got CUTS an horse sense"
$50 have you, old-timer, but 1 amt
heard anybody shoutin' about what a
wonder you are. Coupla years ago
this O'Hara was tenderfoot--didn't
know sic 'em. You wouldn't of said
he would be worth barrel of shucks
as sheriff. Now he's the white-haired
lad of Jefferson county. Tell me why,
if it's not luck"
"Sure I'll tell you why, Badly. It's
because he never quits-goes after
bad men like the Watsons. Lights on
'em all spraddled out. On top of that
he's straight as string. That's its
shape"
Badly agreed, still grumbling.
Gomez lived in large one-story
adobe house on the outskirts of the
town. He was one of the original
settlers. He had driven his longhorns
up from Mexico and settled on the
creek in the days when the Apaches
were still troublesome. Within few
years the town had grown up almost
at his doorstep. For a Mexican he
was we'll off. His cows and horses
had increased in number. More rooms
had been added to the house. He en-
tertained Hospitality and was a po-
litical leader Of his race locally. Dark
eyed sons and daughters. eleven all
told. were growing up around him and
his still handsome wife. They were
attractive young people, devoted to
their father and their mother. The
gods, it was generally felt had been
very good to him.
(To BE CoNTINUED)