The Coolidge examiner., 1931-02-06
CHAPTER K
"A Man With Sand"

Il l. w AO dSIceu III d COuIeIeHCe
l. attended by the governor of the
territory, the sheriff of the coun-
ty, Ingram, Steelman, and the
United States marshal, that the
slate should be wiped clean of all
OffenSes committed during the JEFF
ferson County war unless indict-
ments had already been found
against the law breakers. In the
event that any of these latter were
convicted the governor promised u
pardon.
Bob Quantrell was no party to
the armistice. Tacitly he refused
to recognize the new conditions.
He went on the dodge and disap-
peared into the chaparral, emerg-
ing from it only to get food
and supplies or TO raid some ranch
and rustic stock. Three or four
desperate characters had rallied
around him, men who preferred 10
steal rather than To work for Il liv-
ing. DeeVer was one of these
Pankey was another. The depreda-
llOhS vi lilc Nyudlllltil EsliiS. as tnt
outlaws came to be called by COM
mon consent, were high handed and
tlagrant. They killed ii clerk at the
Indian agency, an innocent youth
from the East who CHANGED to come
on them as they were driving away
a bunch of horses belonging 10 the
government They preyed partlcu-
larly upon cattle bearing the Dia-
mond Tail. the Hashknife. or the
Circle ) . brands.
The outlaws were protected by
their friends. Young Quautrell was
popular among the MeNicunS.
Posses organized by Ingram and
Steelman, uominally under the lead
ership OF the sheriff. could not
move against him without warning
reaching the outlaw.
The relationship between Steel
man aud Ingram was stiif aud
formal one. though III this matter
of putting the cattle thieves out OF
business SteeIman knew there must
be cooperation.
He discussed the situation with
Smith h-BereSford one day.
Were not gettiu anywhere,
Lyulph," he said. nor We won't
with this Jim s-his-name
sheriff. He's got 40 CUTS. He
won't 20 out after Quantrell an
sleep on his trail till he gets him.
had q talk with him yesterday
Hes willin' TO resign ii we can find
a good man 10 take his place. Well,
I've found the good man. What
would you think of our partner,
Garrett O'Hara? What kind of a
sheriff do you think he'd make?"
He'd make bully one. That's
not the point I'm thinking about
Garrett and his safety Dash il all
I'd rather go broke from that young
scoundrel QuantrelI's raids on our
stock"
Some one has to stop this rus
tling. I'm too busy. My boy is too
young. Ingram is the logical man,
but he claims he hasn't time for it.
Run yore mind over the men you
know in the neighDOrhuod, then
tell me who is best qualified for it,"
But Garrett is no trailer. He
doesn't know this country we'll. "
protested Smith-BereSford.
We'll give him deputies who can
follow Il trail TO HI an back. Be-
sides, this probably won't be a
trailin' job. What II needs is IL
man with sand In his craw who'll
never quit. I've watched Garrett
an I've noticed one thing about
him-he rises TO his opportunities.
When the emergency breaks he's
right Oh the job. By rights, If you
20 by logic, he ought 10 have been
killed half a dozen times since he
came TO jefferson county. Some
folks say he's lucky. | don't. He's
alive because he's the ganeSt li'I'
fighting cock on the river, an be-
cause he uses his head That last
is where he'll have the edge on
Quantrell."
Il see you've already got him ap-
pointed" the Englishman said,
drily Isn't Garrett going to have
anything to say about this?"
HE won't want the job, OF
course" Steelman admitted. "WhO
would? But if he thinks it's his
duty he'll take it,"
Il don't see that it's his duty any
more than yours or mine or dozen
other men | can name. I'm against
this, Steelman. He's too good to
be killed by that young devil Guam
trel. Thought you liked Garrett ~
Nobody like better. What's
that got to do with it? I'd put my
own son on the job if he was old
enough and good enough. I'm pay
Ing Garrett a big compliment. This
country hus got to be made safe
from such men as Quantrell. Some
one has to take law into the
chaparral, an | believe Garrett is
man enough to do it. Anyhow, he'll
get a chance to say No If he
makes good there's a big future for
him here"
The younger man smiled. Glad
to know you and Ingram are so
keen on law enforcement. I'm
jolly well for it myself. but"
Steelman interrupted him. Don't
class me with Ingram, boy. I've
Il e., To-