The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-01-27

Sort of suits me, Sol"
 you'll need an outfit
 Sure. Two saddle -horses-the best on the range, if money can buy them"
 We can find one of them pron- to-" replied Winter, with satisfac- tion. "We1l walk out to Leslie's. He's sellin' out an he has some good stock. One horse in particu- lar. I never saw his beat"
 All right, Sol. Then I'll need a pack-horse and outfit. In the morn in we'll pick out tarp and blan- kets, grub and campin' outfit. I've got saddle, bridle, spurs, riata-all Mexican, Sol, and if they don't knock the punchers on this range, I'll eat them. My Texas pardner gave them to me. And last, l reckon I'll require some more hard ware"
 This last came reluctantly with a smile not quite grim from Rock.
 "Ahuh An with all this out fit you're headin for Sunset Pass. " asserted Winter, whooly grim.
 Yeah. I'm goin' to ride down slow and easy-like, renewin' old acquaintances and making new ones. Then I'll end up at Gage Preston's and strike him for a job" j"
 Son. It's a bold move, if it's ali on account of Thiry," returned Winter. Gage Preston can't hard ly refuse you a job. He needs rid CTS. He has hired about every cow puncher on the range. But they don't last"
 Why not?"
 Ash gets rlo o1 them, sooner or later. Reckon about as soon as they shine up to Thiry.' How does he do that queried Rock, curiously.
 Wal, he scares most of them. Some he has bunged up with his fists. An several punchers he's driven to throw guns Kill them?"
 Nope. They say he just crip- pied them Ash shoots quick an where he wants" Most interestln' cuss-Ash Pres ton,' said Rock, lightly. Son, this is what worries me, '' went on Winter, with gravity. It'll be some different when Ash Pres ton butts into you"
 How you mean, pardner?"
 Wal, no matter how easy an cool you start-no matter how clever you are-it's bound to wind up a deadly business"
 Thanks, old-timer. I get your hunch. I'm takin' it serious and strong. Don't worry unreasonable about me. I've got to go"
 Trueman Rock was not one of the cowboy breed who cared only for pitching, biting horses. He could ride them, when exigency demanded, but he never loved a horse for other than thoroughbred qualities. And sitting on the corral fence watching Leslie's white fa- vorite, he was bound to confess that he felt emotions of his earliest days on the range.
 ''Ill take him, Leslie, and con sider the deal favor" Rock said Reckon I'm glad Dahb said yes terday he'd buy him an send out today. But you beat Dabb to it Somehow I didn't want Dabb tc have him. But today there was g girl here who loved him, an 1'c shore have liked to let her have him."
 Who was she, Jim?" asked Win. ter.
 "Thiry Preston She passed hert today with her dad"
 What did Miss Preston do?' queried Rock, casually.
 She just petted the hoss whils ithe other Prestons walked around Italkin' a lot. Miss T'hiry never saie a word. But I seen her heart in hel eyes"
 Speaks well for her." replied Rock, with constraint, as he slir off the fence and approached thu animal. Leslie, I'll come out il the mornin'. I want pack-horse.
 "I'll throw the pack-horse in t boot" replied Leslie. | "Sol." said Rock, thoughtfully, a lthey retraced their steps towar, town, '.Ill hardly have time to lool up flks I used to know. I can leav that till I hit town again. ID 1.-the Prestons come in often?"
 Some of them every Saturday { Ishore as it rolls round. Thiry come lin about twice a month" lE Pretty long ride in from Sunse' ISixty miles by trail Reckon tn lPrestons make a one-night stop 8 Iscme ranch?"
 No. They camp 1t, nsakin' Ceda lCyeek. where they turn of into lflak. There's an old cobin. It be Ilonecd to . homesteader. Presto