The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1933-04-06
cuAPTER xIl-continued
ID

s--lC--
nvou have no right to risk the
,,,os of your poor. ignorant men 10
save your property" she fiared at
him. ,. r,
rhov,re nv men, aren't they!
nidn't inherit them? Do | not EN-
n,ov them and house and feed them
and make them happy? Didn't my
father and grandfather and great
grandfather accept them and their
troubles? I'm loyal to them, am
not3 They know I'd fight to the
death, for them. and lose every dol
lar have in the world before turn
ing them off to face that world
the gringo world they do not under
stand! why shouldn't they he loyal
to me? Whose salt | eat. his song
sing A good slogan and a very
ancient one in this country"
The girl was sensible of a vague
uneasiness as he looked her over
sternly. She had not pleased him
and he did not disdain to make
her aware of the fact.
"Pm not lawyer" he shot at
her suddenly. "What would your
friend, Mr.. Hackett. do if he were
the owner of these sheep?"
81 imagine he'd have some sort of
theft insurance on them. so ne
wouldn't worry if Dingle stole them.
He'd leave the worry and the sal
wage and the prosecution to the in
surance company"
Everything for defense but not
a cent for tribute. Bobby. It's all in
the point of view Well. suppose.
now you're out of the sheep bust
ness. Bobby. you'll be going back to.
Dobbs Ferry in a day or two"
aWell, of course. would stay
over for your funeral. Jimmy" She
tried to appear jocular. but her
quavering voice betrayed her real
feelings.
His brown hand caressed her
shoulder. THAT'S the girl. Act
spunky, even if you're not. Nine
! times out of ten one can fool the
enemy with good bluff"
"You are going to wait here until
Aurelio returns with more men and
horses? How many men have you
sent fnr?"
Twenty. Caraveo. the riding
boss. will pick the best. Don't talk
to me now, Roberta. | have to for
mulate battle PLAN"
He took out notebook and pen.
Gil and commenced writing. Here"
ne said abruptly, when he had fin
ished. please hand this to Ken Ho-
bart when he reports here. If mo-
body returns by twilight, drive the
Gar back TO the ranch. You know
tne way" He stood up. hitched
his bell and held out his hand.
Where are you going. Jimmy|
I'm going to circle ahead of those
sheep and get to the only water-hole
they can reach tonight. There's an
old branding corral in the valley by
tnaf water-hole-one built myself.
I'm going to dig in there and hold
that gang off,"
surely you're not going alone ?''
Julio will follow at four O'clock.
hes dependable. Good-by. Bobby
IN case do not see you again It's
Oeen wonderful to have known Won
Mhen you get back to Dobbs Ferry
tnink kindly of Jim Higgins. If ne's
IN the cemetery. and send him an
occasional picture post card If he's
not. Your sheep money is in the 10
eai oank Trust old Prndy. He
looks like a dusky idol. but he's
cutter than any fox-and honest
Good-by, my dear"
lie took her hand. It trembled in
nis. Jimmy she said i'm very
.'i'ail voice. the other night YOU
'old me you loved me. Was that q
s'a'ehent of fact or just-ab-
hooeyY ~ "
~ was statement of fact RI
w you as long as live. Some
uay' u ! live, suppose I'll marry
sonlepody else. but in the cool of the
evening darling. when the DAVIS
Mo,k IS done and The Higuenes how
anu MS thoughts are alone tnpetber
:, waell. I'll do some thinking And
nh. ms Higuenes should say, James
,a n"' are you thinking Off / shall
'eil ner harmless lie" 5.
shall 20 home tomorr w
r a, yon come back to
vale Verde. if moi" >" y
ineyli plant me in a hurry and
~ gan go the day after Bobby
H., he TOOK her fresh. lovely face in
r;a,. ls'inls Bobby" he said verv So.
"ss remember me as the man
nu never made love for fun" Ana
% A'ssed her on the lips and LET her
int i'uils. she watched him swing
be hn ,s saddle and ride away : when
m n ,aa, topped the ridge he pulled
THO IT, looked back and waved his hand
aho' ne went over the skyline.
ABOUT three tbir,, nv,
hor,. Juno returned and found Ro