The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-11-02
CHAPTER V-Continued


whiStling about the fire, knocking pans
and otherwise indicating the proximity
of supper.
'Howdy, Jack. What's tricks for to-
day?" asked Jim.
"Glad you're back, JIM" declared
the cook, cordially. "Anyone'd have
thunk you was goin' to dish the outfit
-judgin' from Hays. He's been like
hound on leash. Smoky rode In
today full of ginger, news, an roll
of long green that'd have choked
COW. But even tibet didn't ease the
boss"
what allied him. Jack?" inquired
Jim. not without impatience.
"Dinged If I know. 1t had to do
with your goin' to Grand. a darned
sight more than Smoky's."
Heavy footballs outside attested to
the return Of Hays Without more
comment Jim stood up and away from
the table, to face the door. Hays en-
tered. He was not the genial Hays of
other days, yet 1t was hard to define
the change In him, unless 1t consisted
in gloomy, restless force behind his
stride. Smoky followed him in, agree
able by contrast.
"Hullo, here you air. I waited at
the barn." said Hays gruffly.
"Howdy, boss. l took short cut
down." replied Jim.
II seen Barnes an had a word with
him. So your trip come off all right?
You shore made them blacks STEP"
at wasn't as pleasant a drive as
you'd imagine" returned Jim, darby.
"Haw! You must be one of them
women-haters. Outside of tibet
side of it, what happened to jar your"
Nothing to concern you or your
outfit. Smoky saw me yesterday be-
fore l got line on him. He ducked
off the road. At Grand Junction no
body paid any more attention to me
than I'd expect"
"Ahuh. Thet's good" replied Hays,
and going over to the pack beside his
bed he rummaged about to return with
a packet, which he slapped down upon
the table.
There you air, Jim. On our first
deal"
The packet unrolled and spread out
bills of large denomination.
whats this for?" queried Jim.
"Quick action. Thet's how we work.
Your share. Smoky fetched it."
Jim did not care to give the i'm
preston that he was unused to this
sort Of thing. Straddling the bench
he sat down to run through the bills.
give thousand six hundred" he
said, as If to himself, and he slipped
the money inside his pocket. much
obliged, Smoky. Now I'll be able to
sit in little game Of draw"
"Jim. amt you got any news at
alp inquired Hays, searchingly. "A
Teller with your ears an eyes shore
would pick up somethin'."
Miss Rerrick fetched wells-Fargo
package to her brother" rejoined Jim,
slowly.
"Then it's come" said Hays, crack
ing his hands. "Herrick was expectin'
money last stage"
After supper Smoky was the first
to break Sllence. I'D
"Boss, now Wall is back you can
make up your mind about what I'd
like to do"
Jim, listen to this: Smoky an the
other fellers, except Brad, want to
make a clean sweep with this next
drive. What you think?"
"Clean Herrick out?" asked Jim.
''Thet's the idee."
Jim pondered a moment.
std be harder work, but save time
and perhaps our bacon as well. These
cowboys are going to find out pretty
soon that the cattle have thinned out
If Smoky drives couple thousand
sooner or later
''See thar, boss. Wall sees 1t just
as do. There's plenty of water along
the road an feed enough. Let's
make it one big drive"
"Wal, it'd mean leavin' Star Ranch
sudden" cogitated the robber chief.
"Shore. An thet's good"
But don't want to pull out of here
sudden" declared Hays.
''Why not. if we get away with ten
thousand head?" queried Smoky, as
founded.
"Thet ten thousand won't close the
deal I'm on
"What've you got up your sleeve,
Hank?"
"Thet's my business. Yours is driv-
in cattle"
"You mean to rob the Englisher?
Hank, don't be hawg"
Hays, if you'll excuse me, I'm think
ing Smoky talks sense" interposed
Jim, quietly.
"My minds made up. Well stick
to our first idee. You fellers make
drive after drive, goin' slow. thet'll
give me time"
"Ahuh. SO you'll risk goin' agin'
the whole outfit" interrupted Smoky,
with curious gaze at his superior.
''Wal, yes. if you put it tibet way"
replied Hays. and he stalked out.
smoky. will you start the second
drive tomorrow" asked Wall
"I'll lay it up to my outfit. Wal, so
long. See you soon, one way or an
other"
He went out. Jim heard few sharp
words pass between Smoky and Hays,
and then silence.