The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-03-02
SUNSET PASS
 bH ZNMc lzoH

breakfast hour, a group of riders, five in number, rode down upon the camp.
 Boys, reckon don't like this" said Rock, gruffly. But you take it natural like, and I'll do the talkin. As the riders entered camp Rock rose from his seat beside the camp fire to greet the visitors They were reasoned ranga-riders. haTd-look- ing quintet, not one of whom Rock had ever. seen
 ''Eowdyl Jus tin time for grub, he said heartily.e
 Much obliged, but we had ourn," replied the leader, rugged cow man, sE
 Get down and stay awhile, "said Rock.
 Ills invitation was not accepted nor acknowledged.
 Cage Preston outfit?" inquired the leader. sqe a. s
 Part of it. replied Rock, not so cordially
 Roundup or drivin' a herd?" went on the interlocutor, visibly cooler.
 We're drivin' five hundred head of two-year-olds down the Pass. Reckon another day or so will make the full count" rejoined Rock. A.
 The leader was evidently finding Rock a man about whom he had begun to have uneasy conceptions.
 Don't know the lay of the land" went on the leader. Haven't rid long on, this range"
 Shore you didn't have to tell me that, replied Rock, bluntly. you're frcn Wyomin', and ridin' for Hes bits.H es ita Iass s4
 How ,l you know thatp"
 Reckon nobody else would brace me this way"
 You? Which one of the Pres tons might you be2" aeasa.
 Hadn't you better hand over your callin' card, before askin' me to introduce myself?" l I'm Jim Dunne, foreman foi Hesbitt," replied the rider.
 .tAIl right. How do, MT. Dunnei A blind cowboy could see your cal isn't friendly. Now, what do yor want2"
 Wal, we've come over to have look at your herd" answered | Dunne.
 ~Ahuhl" Rock, with suddenness stood erect. He strode halfway across the camp space to confront Dunne. Just to see if by accident we didn't round up a couple ol Half Moon steers?"
 Wal. I ain't sayin' nothin about accidents" returned the other. ~Dunne, you bet your life you're goin' to look over our herd, } snapped Rock. Then I'll call yol plumb straight" say, are you this fellar Rock?' he asked, suddenly. "Yes, I'm ROCK Reckon tha doesn't mean anythin' to you ' But maybe 1t will later" ~ .T can't see there's any reasoi :. to be rfled,' returned Dunne. "T'hat's because you don't knoz this range" said Rock, cuI'tly, an' then turned to the Preston brothers Boys. we'll drive the steers oi of the canyon for inspection Rock relentlessly held the Hal Moon outfit on both sides of tn corral gate while the cowboy drove the steers out in single fiji and in twos and threes.
 Dunne made several weak at tempts to call off the inspection but Rock. vigorously held him an his men to count of every stee
 that passed the gateway.
 HDunne, between you all you'y {. '. seen every head of stock we'v :. driven" said Rock when he ha ? dismolInted to face the men. . Reckon We have" rejoine . Dunne, and made as if to mour
 his horse.
 L. Stay on the ground ordere - - Rock. You didn't see one Ha = Moon brand, did you?' Who said we was lookin' ft
 Half Moon brands2" blusters ,,, Dunne, 8 = ~Bah!-Out with the truth! Ye !. didn't see one Half Moon brand . demanded Rock. = Cant say I did" <, "All right. : <. Dunne, go I = = your gum" commanded Rock. N Rock is poised, ready to fight
 Dunne's move, tomorrow, sur = ,rfsas him