The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-09-20
N1he GAY BANDIT
" @E~-s;p Of the :. B 30 %
BY TOM GILL


toned. This isn't the first time
the capture of FL Coyote has been
just around the corncrl'
"But what does it mean?"
II haven't the least notion. l was
thinking about it when you came
out. Blount has come across a new
clue. He may have captured some
of Ell Coyotes band-although I
think not. 1t may be Morales has
learned something and that they're
planning some sort of dramatics for
the falling curtain of the drama.
Many things might happen. But why
the devil does he want me there? He
knows I'm not in sympathy with
Morales" Bob drummed for a while
on the railing with his fingers. AT
any rate, come with me tonight" He
smiled and stretched lazily in the
spring sunshine. Life can be so
damned interesting at times and so
terribly dull at others. I'll have to
remember both the major and Mo-
rales in my will. In their laundering
way they've made this past year
quite endurable," he added smiling.
But more than. once during that
long day Ted saw his friend sunk
in puzzled contemplation. Later he
was to look back and realize in adj
miration and sorrow the black hosts
of apprehension that already bore
the man unwelcome company.
Yet at dinner Don Bob seemed in
higher spirits than for many days.
The exultation of danger was upon
him. and the zest of life sang again
in his veins. Boredom and half
contemptuous cynicism were gone.
His was the complex character to
whom the presence Of danger is like
wine. 1t made life, as he said, "en-
durable" So over his coffee Don
Bob humnled a cowboy ballad and,
rising at last, put an extra clip of
cartridges in his. pocket and exam
ined the automatic that lay within
his shoulder holster. He smiled,
while Ted looked on with watchful
eyes, conscious of some vague inn
pending danger.
Lets go, old son." he said at last.
Bob looked out into the sunset and
drew in deep breath of the warm
desert air. For momnet his own
eyes were wistful. what is it," he
asked slowly, that keeps US from
happiness when there is so much
beauty in the world? If any God
exists. He probably despises men as
the most ungrateful of creatures.
Come"
Many days later Ted was to re-
member those half-whispered words.
They turned south just before en-
tering Verdi and struck out on a
winding road that led, after many
turns and twistings, toward the
nearer foothills of Mexico.
The major has moved camp"
Bob said, as they drove through the
night. 1--WE can drive within a few
miles of it, and I've asked him to
send horses to meet us there"
Once during that ride Ted turned
and asked, Bob are you expecting
something to go wrong?"
But the other only smiled and
urged the low roadster to greater
speed. what could 60 wrong on
such perfect EVENING"" he asked.
It was dark when they drove up
at the roads end. A soldier waited
with two horses already saddled,
and in half an hour more they ar
rived at the cavalry camp.
Everything was a picture of mill
tary precision. The major, all Verdi
knew, prided himself upon orderli-
ness. Nearly a hundred little tents
had been pitched in neat rows at q
spot where stunted trees told of a
waterhole. The site W. cleared of
cactus and mesquite. A half-dozen
mess tables. secured and shining,
stood at the farther end. Horses
dozed in q wide corral. and beside q
campfire soldiers lounged. As Don
Bob approached, his eyebrows rose
in little gesture of surprise. for in
the glare of the freight ne could
make out dimly ring of armed cav
alrymen ridine patrol about the
camp. He smiled across at Ted.
I'm just wandering whether that
patrol is 20 keep people in or keep
people out" Then he spurred for.