Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1932-02-04
Chapter AZ
THE LAST

Chapter AZ
THE LAST BULLET
BLOOD poured down. As he sweep
middle. -
The bullet struck up dust beyon,
ana whined away. But Ash. sustain
ing the shock, fired again and knock
ed Rock flat. b
Like the first bullet. this one struel
as II It We're wind, high on his lief
shoulder. He heard two more heav,
pooms OF Ash's gun. felt the stinl
OF gravel on his face. Half rising
foek fired again. He heard the buI.
vel strike. Terrible fleshy solder
sound, Ash's fifth shot spanged OF
Rocks extended gun, knocked il fly.
ing, beyond reach.
dreston was sagging. Bloody
magnificent. mortally stricken, he
mad no Will except to kill. He saw
ms enemy PROSTATE ,~weaponless. He
got his gun up, but could not aligu
II, n his last bullet struck far be-
yond Rock. to whine away. Ash's ply
steal strength had not matched his
unquenchable spirit. He actually
tried 70 hing the empty gun. 1t flip
ped at random. To and fro he sway
ed, all instructive action ceasing. and
with his ruthless eyes on his fallen
Toe, changing, glazing over, setting
blank, he fell.
Gage Preston hurried to Rocks
SIDE. Men came running with hogrse
Heip me-up.a said Rock. family.
They raised him, speaking in awed
voices. Then he dragged them. half
hopping, careless of his dangling leg.
over to the writh,ng Ash in time Ia
see his last shuG Ter.
"Ah-huh!' sasped Rock in emo
saonless Ilnafty, with strength and
sense slowly failing into oblivion.
When Rock came to his senses
again he was lying on the floor Of
ms cabin, where seemingly only a
rev moments before he had given ad-
vice as to the proper care of the
wounded Dunno. ~
lie gazed around up at the grave
aces OF cowboys and cattlemen, at
uase preston, who, grim and white,
was blnding his leg; at Peoples. still
working over the PROSTATE Dunne
fTcston, how is it-with Rock .
asked Dunno, huskily.
wal, the top bullet glanced off the
poney replied the rancher. '1r5ylv
hole, put nothing fer this fellar. The
reg sho tho, Is bleedin' bad"
blnu II light whispered Rock.
Dunne moved his head in slow ac-
ton until his c~avernous ewes en-
p~ernaturaliy bright, rested upon Rock
say, Rock, II didn't take you long
10 get-heah on the floor with me
Seems long, said Rock, weakly.
Matter OF ten minutes, mebbe'"
iai Preston, al he wrapped and
p.utaeu with swift powerful hands.
tba a{al, somebody help me. hold
Hock became conscious of awak-
ening PAIN, of a burning in his breast
and a dull spreading fire In his right
= presently Preston rose from his
tasK, wiping his bloody hands, and the
voices Of watchers ceased.
somebody get Rock to town nron-
TO- he said, gruffly. "Ain't safe to
&c, MN wal. fer the DOCTOR"
Lon Bailey has his four-seat
Duckboard," replied a cowboy I'VE
IAN take out the hind seat an; fin ]
page Tor Rock to lay"
hustle now" replied Preston and
a .pa Dent his gloomy gaze down,
nnth,nn'. Z me artery amt cut you're
Rock d, family. "No-other ways 'eu
"Ha! You needn't be. shore I'm
not reJoined the rancher.
Wln you-come TO town."
I3morrow; Me an the boys will
see Dabb. Mebbe it amt too late"
I'm thankin, YOU yos.O"' coodhv a..
good luck" he returned and stamped
Rock closed his eyes.
say, fellars, nobody hain't told
me what happened to tibet Ash Pres
spoke up Dunno. He's done
T + me- an most the same fer Rock.
III you-all let him."
"Daid," interrupted a blunt cow
boy. without solemnity.
preston a the side of his head
nan shot off, replied another range
rider. Shot clean thru the middle
an tnen plumb center. He died or
Rock, you heah me?, said Dunne
! hau 0 wrong-an' I'm askin' par
DON; An ~fellars, If / have-to die
In go happy"
Merciful Inconsistencies did not
return to Rock. When strong ana
gentle hands lifted him int tbe
puckboard he knew agony When
ehe swift wheels ran over a bumn or
I tut IN tne road 1t was like a rend-
ing OF flesh and bone.
ROCK was lying In the pleasant s,t-
Of the Winters home whara
4 couch had been improvised for him
was late in the day a~ccording ~
siant OF the sun rays coming fbr,
ne low window above his he'd He
aau awakened to less torture h,it he
beod move only his one arm and
Another day Rock awoke 10 ras,
! not ease, and slowly the stream 81
resumed its flow
The little doctor was cheerfmi that
like an Indian" he said
ruoning his hands in satisfaction
week will see you IN Then
pretty soon you can fork a boss"
"a HOW Is your other patient?" ask
dunno Is out OF danger, I'm glad
bed" soou WINE
SoI Winter came busting in.
Mornln son! You shore LOOK fit
,er 70 me. How about him, Doc? Gan
re throw off the restrictions on grub
reckon replied the physlcian
-aklng up his hat and satcheI. Nov
tock, brighten up. You've been So
NICK a.as and gloomy. Good day"
ar aaH1SSlnan, there's news said Win
Might nQ wall oot a. ox..- ~. |