The Coolidge examiner., 1932-11-11

Both Of them carried their rifles
across the saddle in front, for
neither doubted that they were go
ing straig' TO the stronghold of the
outlaws. # was possible they might
at any bend OF the trail meet face
to face the men they were seeking.
"Glad it's rainin'," Wilson said.
twisting for a moment in the saddle
TO speak back. Unless they've got
important business today they're
liable to stay indoors an loaf.
That'll suit me fine"
Here too" agreed Phil. He had
a curious sinking sensation about
the muscles of his stomach, but he
had no intention whatever of turn
ing back. II was the natural dread
| that comes TO all men when they
are moving for the first time into
an unknown danger.
Out of the defle they emerged
into a valley of mist that had no
outline then.
Cabins over to the left" Phil
whispered. 1--WE better get in this
pine grove up here right away.
Sun'll be comm out soon by the
look of the clouds"
They DETECTED, climbing to the
wooded slope to the right. From
break in the clouds the sun peeped
Of ffY,sIlt- fhnn t4-fth
persistence. Slowly the mist set
tied, till the upper walls Of the val
ley showed The rock face opposite
was painted yellow and green and
ochre by the sunshine. II was half
an hour before the fog was reduced
TO filmy shreds and lake of mist
nesting in a far corner of the val
ley.
From all directions sheer preci-
pices rose. Technically the pasture
ground inclosed was not a park but
rather a depression driven down by
some freakish trick OF nature. II
was as though some Titanic god in
the morning Of the world had
stamped a gigantic foot on the soft
plastic mountain mass and driven
down with terrific force the crust
of the earth.
The cabin lay across from them
on the other slope of the saucer
shaped valley inclOsed by the cliffs.
A man came out from II in his
shirt sleeves and stretched arms in
wide gesture that was evidently
yawn. Wilson adjusted his glasses
and looked. Presently he handed
the binocular 10 his companion.
"Gitner." said Phil after a mo-
ment.
"What we've got to find out
now is whether those cattle down
there are rustled," Wilson said,
pointing TO a small herd grazing on
the slope opposite. I'm going TO
look into that and make sure If
can"
"How?"
"Going TO circle the valley close
to the walls, hide In that fringe Of
bushes over there, an drop down
about dusk to the cattle for look
see. You'd better stay here with
the horses"
Hadn't you better let me go?"
"No sir. | hadn't. We've got TO
settle one point now, Phil. What
ever happens we can't afford for
both of us to be trapped. II you're
seen here. make a break on yOre
cavallo down the canyon an keep
goin' till you can get help an come
back with a posse. I'll stay hid an
look out for myself. If I'm the one
that's seen an you hear firin' light
out just the same"
"I'll be liable TO do that" Phil said
hotly. Were in this together. amt
we? I'd cut acrOst the valley to you
lickety-split-"
Then you'd spoil my chance an
they'd get us both sure. It's cinch
Gitner has four or five fellers with
hiiii, al udlc W NuiA
without KNOWN what brands are on
that bunch of vacas. but I'll have to
give up the idea If you won't be rea-
sonable. I'm kinda particular about
who gets my hide to hang up an
dry"
"Looky here" protested Phil. I'm
no kid. an never was teachers pet.
figure myself a full-grown white
man. if you want TO know. You can
get ii right outa yore haid that
won't go through to a fare-you-well.
We started on this job together an
it'll be even-steven with US. Why
should stick around here where
can make a getaway down the can
! yon while you go across there where
you're liable to be bumped off,
Would there be any sense in
both of US leavin' the horses and
goin'?"
Maybe not. Point is. claim I'm
the one who ought to 60"
They had come to an impasse.
Wilson was silent for a moment. A
plan was filtering into his mind, one
that would eliminate the boy from