The Coolidge examiner., 1931-01-30
CHAPTER Vlll-Continued

After he had talked with his
partners the owners of the Hash
knife sent. for Bob Quantrell. That
young man came in sheepishly, eX-
pecting To be raked over the Goals
You've certainly spilled the fri
joles, young man." Steelman said
bluntly. What have you got Ia
say for yourself? Who asked you
TO raid the Hughes placer"
Me, Oh. | was kinda playin' a
lone hand. Would you call il a
raid when we WAS Sheriff'S posse
all swore III regular an proper?'
AT the very hour you were
pullin' OF this fool business my two
partners here were tryin' to ar
range Il compromise with Ingram.
What do You suppose he'll think
about uS?"
He'll probably onload his pri-
vate can of cusS words" The boy
put one thigh over the edge of the
table and sal on it by way of show
ing that he was at ease. whats
the use of conpromiSin' with him
We've got him whipped. looks to
me. The banks are closin' in on
him like buZZardS on Il dead cow
ut a water hole. That's the story !
hear. Lemme ask You question.
Say I'd made my play good. Would
you have bawled me out then. or
would you have figured it good
medicine?"
For a moment SteeIman was
taken aback. II was not just the
question he wanted asked at the
moment.
Let's say yore plans had worked
out the way you originally expected.
Bob he said You'd have sur
prised Ingram'S warriors early in
the mornin'. Say word had reached
him while he an our friends here
had been talkin' compromise. What
do you reckon he would have done
to them? Would they have had a
dead mans chance to get out of
town alive?"
Maybe not But | didn't aim to
let any of his warriors get away TO
town for to have a powwOw with
Ingram. I'd heard you belly-achin'
about how Ingram was hangin' on
10 the Hughes place contrary TO
law an how you aimed to drive him
out. Well. | figured I'd save you
the trouble
Instead of which you have in
vOlved us IN fresh trouble" O'Hara
said curtly. You've put lis in the
wrong in the most flagrant way.
There's Just one thing for us to do.
and that is 70 show Ingram if we
can that this attack took place
without our knowledge and against
our wishes. We can't keep you in
our employee. Quantrell.
The brown eyes of O'Hara met
steadily the light blue shallow ones
of the young killer.
Scared of Ingram. Ell" the bOv
Sneered. "SuitS me if it does YOU.
Mr.. O'Hara. I'm to get the gate
because you want to play up to this
fellow, you not havin' sand in vore
craw enough to 60 through with
what you started. All right. 'Nouch
said. I'll ride down the river TO-
day."
Understand. Bob. we've GOT no
personal feeling against YOU" Steel.
man explained. 'I'll go farther
than that. I've still got cattle in
Texas. an I'll give you a note TO
my foreman there to take Won on
at once mt the same wages You
won't lose days pay. After we
get things Strengthened out here
you can come back an ride for me
on the river"
Il don't aim to go to Texas. hut
TO stay right here. Steelman." the
young fellow answered. 81 wouldn't
wonder none but there1l he times
a-plenty when you wished | was in
Texas"
OHara tried again to get him to
understood. you've forced our
nand. Bob We don't want to fose
you. but
But you've GOT 10 do it to save
your face with Ingram" interrupt
ed the boy rudely. mo need to ex-
plain to me. | understand what
you're drivin' at"