Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1932-02-04
Chapter 46
GUN SHOTS

Chapter 46
GUN SHOTS
Rock was off, throwing bride, glo
YES, and in two swift jerks he got GU
of his chaps.
What's up?" he demanded of tn
six or eight cowmen, who backe
away. In the first sweeping glanc
he did not recognize one of them.
Fight busted the roundup" re
piled a l~ean-jawed rider, whose fac
showed drops Of sweat and pal
Jimmy Dunno shot" replied al
older man, warily. his narrow slit
of eyes shifting all I'VE Rock.
Dunno. Is he dead?"
who did it?"
Ash Preston"
Where is Dunne?"
'Layin' in the cabin thar"
Rock brushed the men aside, t
encounter more, all of whom he saw
with lightning gaze,
Get out of my way he ordered
sharply, and forcing entrance to tn,
cabin, he surveyed the interior. a
line of dusty, sweaty cowboys fel
back, to disclose a man lying on tn,
floor, with another kneeling in at
tendance.
At that the other man looked III
quickly. 1t was Clink Peoples.
"Howdy,. Rock! l don't know
but I'm afeared Jim is. Still I'm
Let me see"
The angry wound was situated
high up on the left side. and IL was
ously.
Has he been spittini blood?" ask
mo, | reckon he hasn't. I shore
looked for thet,' answered Peoples.
Did the bullet come out?"
1T went clean through, clean as
a whistle"
"Good!' exclaimed Rock, with sat
isfaction, Dunno, can you hear me?"
Why sure, replied Dunno, faint
~. A bloody froth showed on his
lips. Rock, reckon Preston-beat
you-to this job"
Reckon I'd never have done it.
gunshot, but not necessarily fatal.
you do what. you're told you'll live"
Rock, thet's shore-good news"
painted Peoples, wiping his face. II
was plumb scared. Tell us what to
Make a bed for him here" re-
Piled Rock, rising. But don't move
him till he's bandaged tight. Then
awful careful. Make him lie quiet.
n II. Wash your hands clean. Get
clean bandages. A clean shirt If
here's nothin' else. Fold a pad and
vet it. Bind it tight. Then send
o town for a DOCTOR
"Thets teIiin' u.s. returned Pee
1les., gratefully. Frank you heard.
tustle some boys now"
tpaanlAc~ arrna IL - na
inquired Rock, cody.
wal, I'm bound to admit IL was.
we've nothin' on Preston tibet
What was 1t about?"
dunno spoke up for himself, in
stronger voice: Rock, / had the
proofs on him-much as l didn't-have
you"
"Ahuh. Don't talk any more,
lunne,' replied Rock, and turned to
'eeples. Did he accuse Ash?"
He shore did. Braced him soon
s he got here with his outfit"
Where are the Pr~estons?'' asked
took, stalking out.
Over at the third cabin replied
ONE one.
Are they inside, ~holed-up. lookin'
or ~trouble2'
Shore lookin' for trouble, but not
~ ~ 6AJ AA18Hii9s ASH Is |
talkin' to an fro over thar, like al
.yena behind bars"
Rock elbowed his way out Of the
Soon his glance fell upon those
e sought, and in him surged the in
of the lion that hated the hy-
Ash Preston stalked to and
70, away from the cabin. and when
g faced back toward the watching !
len he appeared to do 1t sidewise.
'wo Of his tall brothers sat togeth-
r, back to the cabin wall. A third.
robably Range Preston, stood In the
conway, smoking a cigarette. Apart
ON them sat Gage Preston, his bur-
form sagging, his bare head bowed. |
lis sombrero lay on the ground.
.ock's impression was that Gage
waited only the sheriff.
Long ago Rocks mind had been
up and set. He grasped at in
vitability-strode forth to meet it,
ware of the low excited murmur
lat ran thru the crowd behind him.
Ash, espying Rock, halted In his
'acks. The two brothers rose in
ngle action, os If actuated by the
spring. Range Preston stepped
Inside to join his brothers. Gage
reston did not see, nor look up, I'M
start, he staggered erect.
Ash Preston, seeing that Rock had
leered a little off a direct line, to
Dproach his father, hurled an i'm
'ecauon, and fell to his swift, strid-
81. sidelong stalk.
Rock, I'm done,'' rasped Preston
hen Rock got to him. $50 double
'ossin' you like / did means nothin'
me-"
Preston, have you been in any
these last butcherin' deals?"
Rock. sternIV
No. An so help me Heaven,
stop ASH"
why did you send Thiry-per-
ladin' me to come in with your
Thet was why. / wasn't beat
EN-: / Figured / could fight 1t out
| wanted you. So / drove Thirty
ggured, Rock. I'm sorry-sorry
ost fer Thirty, an Ma. an the
rls; If ! had 1t to do over again, I'd
do 1t now" interrupted Rock.
ngInglSy Come with me to Wagon
TOO latel TOO iatel" returned
reston, hopelessly.
mol The situation is no worse
r YOU. For him 1t is too latei-
ome,. Preston, be quick. T'here'H
hell poppin' here In a minute. Win
~ give up-go with me?"
Rock, by Heavenl / will-if you
yell that to ASH" Kissed Rock.
rung like a whipcord.
Preston, with face purpling, shout
to his son, Hey, ASH"
What you want?r came the snarl-
& answer.
I'm going to town with Rock.
What fer?" yelled Ash, as IL stung.
Wal, just off, I'm gettin' a mar
lge license for Thiryi-Hawl Hawl"
What was that raw note in Pres
thick voice-in the laugh which
ng loud, clear? Did 1t connote re- |
nge OF hate or menace OF the mo-
emit, or all combined? |
Isay what fer?" yelled Ash !
To pay your thievin' debts, you-i"
Preston, get to one side. Quickl' 4
Lrned Rock, risking one long stride
ward, when he froze in his tracks, h
right side toward Ash, his quiv- d
ng hand low. r
A u a