The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-08-12

side the dead man.
McCann's face was touched by an
acridly sardonic smile. You're all
plumb good Samaritans," he MUIR
INJURED.
Phil had galloped ahead to prepare
the ranch for the Homecoming of him
who had ruled as autocrat for many
years. Among those gathered were
Dominick Rafferty,, the foreman, and
the Texans, Stone and Gitner.
Rafferty, scowled at the wounded
Mccain. "What about this buzzard?"
he asked callously. whats the idea
in bringin' him here? Couldn't you
bump him off where he was at?"
Julia was white to the lips. The
ordeal of bringing back her father had
proved almost more than she could
endure. Don't talk like that, DOM
mick" she begged TREMENDOUSLY.
"How you want him to talk?" Git
ner asked with an ugly sheer. 'Do
you figure well let this hombre get
away with what he's done?"
Julia flashed one look of anger at
the Texan. you'll do as you're told.
Carl Gitner, or you'll get your time"
You're boss now, are you?" the
big Texan snarled.
Don't push on yore reins, Carl" ad-
vised Rafferty,.
Boy and man, the foreman of the
Circle Cross had been with Stark for
more than thirty years. He was de-
voted to him and his family. Even
though he might not approve of what
they had done he had no intention of
siding with anybody against them.
Julia took control of the arrange
ments. Take Father to his own
ROOM" she gave orders. And carry
this man to Jasper's room. Will you
send some one for Doctor Sanders,
Dominick?"
Before the doctor left town on his
way to the Circle Cross it was known
all over Mesa that Wills Mccain had
got Matt Stark and that he was him.
self desperately wounded and a pris-
oner i'll the hands of the enemy. With
in two hours it had reached the Flying
Wy and Peter Mccain was organizing
rescue party.
Better go kinda easy to start WITH"
Yves Tapscott suggested. Il figure
we're amin to spy out the land this
trip an not exactly call for show
down. This business asks for some
deep-plomacy, as the papers say"
Wen three of us go-you an Lyn
NJ ~
will follow with a wagon to bring the
boy home"
''If we get him." amended the fore
man.
IF they don't give him up I'll round
up the boys an tear the ranch house
to pieces" Peter answered, his mouth
set grimly a"1 his eyes hard as jade.
Sure you will, an we'll find the
boys body when we finally get in.
There's more'n one way to skin a cat,
Peter Mccain. If you set any store by
that boy-an' l reckon you do-Td not
run on the rope today, by gum. I'd
jest naturally act like l was mighty
sorry the way things had turned out
an"
you want me to tell the Starks that
Wills was to blame-after the old man
had posted him all over the country?
That it,"
"Not exactly. Pete. But play yore
cards close. Lemme ride ahead an
see how things stack up. I'll bring
Doc Sanders out to you an"
I'm not going home without seeing
wills. You can't talk me outa that
Wes."
Privately Tapscott was of opinion
that the Starks would never let Nc
Cam into their house alive. 1t was
not reasonable to expect it, with old
Matt lying there dead at the hands
of Peters son. But he did not say so
bluntly.
'We'll see how it works out. Maybe
they'll be willin' to let US move Wills.
Tell you our play is to smooth down
their fur till we got Wills safe in our
hands. A def an dumb blind man
would get that without argument,
Pete"
Mccain recognized the justice of his
foreman's views. The situation was
so delicate that it must be handled
with wisdom to prevent an explosion
that might be fatal to Wilson. Fig
uratively speaking, he threw up his
hands.
"All right, Yves. I reckon you're
right. You run it an let's see where
we get off att
Peter MCann and his son Lyn waited
at the pass above the Circle Cross
while Yves Tapscott rode down into the
valley alone He rode leisurely across
the open and swung from the saddle.
He was conscious that at least two
men watched him. One was at the
corral, the other lounging in the door
way of the house. Tapscott did not
tie to the shiny bar. even with slip
knot He might have to leave in
hurry. So he dropped the reins to
the ground. Practically speaking,
this would fasten the cow pony until
he gathered up the reins again.
Tapscott jingled his way houseward
with the bowlegged swing of the dis
mounted horseman of the plains.
Hello the housei" he called.
The man in the doorway was Phil
Stark. He was no longer lounging.
He stood straight, face keen as a
blade.
"What you doing here?" he de,
manded.
Then, before the words had died on
his lips, he ran swiftly down the steps
and Joined the Flying Wy man. For
there had come puff of smoke, the
Snif of bullet striking sand The