The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-03-31
CHAPTER II-Continued

3
They rode away into the southeast
together. In a clump of cottonwoods
hundred yards from the sheep camp
they parted, Don Jaime waiting while
the ranger rode into the camp of the
invaders.
A smallish, unprepossessing man,
who might have been anywhere from
forty-tive to sixty years of age, stood
under a smoke-discolored fly over a
small barbecue pit upon which a side
of mutton was roasting. AS the
ranger rode up, this man placed his
arms akimbo, and gazed alertly at the
stranger.
"All set for quick grab for his
gum" Ken Hobart reasoned. "Wily
old wretch" Aloud he said. "Good
morning, Mr.. Antrim"
Hello, yourself" Antrim replied
with an assumption of heartiness.
whats your name when lunch is
ready"
Hobart grinned. "Tm Captain Ho-
bart. of the Texas Rangers l sus-
pected luncheon might be ready about
the time was due to ride by, so I've
invited myself"
You're welcome, ranger What's
the gossip around your wayr
Hobart dismounted and tied his
horse to the breeze. Nothing much.
A little smuggling, little gun-run-
ming. cattle raid to vary the monot.
ony. killing. Things are pretty quiet
along the Border"
what brings you up this way?" An
trim was suspicious as a predatory
animal.
81 figured on giving you some sound
advice, Mr.. Antrim. You're trespass-
ing on the Higuenes lands and Don
Jaime Higuenes doesn't cheer for
that. 1t looks like a private war to
me; and as ranger / prefer to stop
private war before 1t starts rather
than after it's started. You're In the
wrong, Mr.. Antrim. and l advise you
to pull out of here and not come
back"
you come to arrest me for tres
passing" Antrim asked.
your sheep on state lands. l can't ar.
rest you until you drive them on the
lands owned by Don Jaime in fee sim
ple-and those lands surround the
water-holes whereby Don Jaime con-
trolls this range. Even then I'll not ar
rest you, because Don Jaime refuses
to ask it or swear out warrant.
Says he likes to kill his own rats"
Called me rat, did heT" Antrim's
cold, pale-blue eyes were very bleak.
''Not at all. That WA just my way
of expressing the situation. l was
speaking in the vernacular. Don
Jaime isn't very far from here, Mr..
Antrim. He'd like to have one final
talk with you. He isn't armed Sup
pose you drop that gun you're wear
ing and walk out with me to discuss
this situation with Don jaime"
Reckon l can trust ranger" An
trim replied, as Hobart exposed his
shield. He hung his gun and belt on
the projecting snag of cottonwood
and followed the ranger to where Don
Jaime Higuenes waited
well. Higuenes," Antrim saluted
him gruffy.
1--we come to warn you not to at
tempt to water your sheep at any of
my water-holes. Antrim"
"And if | do?"
you'll fight to the death for the
privilege"
well, | can do that, too. How do
know you own those water-holes?"
"You have my assurance that | do.
If you doubt that, look up the records
at the county seat"
Your surveys are wrong"
81 am not aware of that. OF
course. If they are. you may water
your sheep-after you've proved your
statement. However. your argument
is footless. You do not wish to be-
lieve me and | wouldn't believe you un.
der oath. So suppose we have the
county surveyor out here TO resurvey
all the lands | hold in fee simple.
If he proves the old surveys to be
erroneous. I'll pay his bill. If he
proves them correct, you pay his bill.
move out with your sheep and never
come BACK.
"Tm not taking orders from any
On greaser."
Don james white teeth flashed in
smile of vast amusement. mo in
telligent man takes civet cat in his
hands. Antrim. / have warned you
in the presence of Captain Hobart,
not to trespass on the lands hold In
fee simple"
Without a word Antrim turned and
walked back to his camp.
Its war;" said Don Jaime Miguel
Higuenes.
"The man must be trifle insane.
Don Jaime"
"NOt at all. He's running a bluff
because ne thinks I'm weak He is
willing to be arrested for trespass