The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-10-12
CHAPTER III-Continued

Reckon it would be. Thet'd bust
the outfit"
who'd you pick on to do tibet,
Hank?" .... ..
JEFF Bridges doomed out: "Why,
Smoky, of course, or Brad"
Nope" said Hays, shaking his
head. with all thet's due Smoky an
Brad wouldn't choose either. Jim,
here, is the man for tibet job"
"Mebbe we could drive off six or
eight thousand head Of stock before
Heeseman ever found out" put in
Smoky. whats the sense of fightin'
it out till we have tor
The suggestion found instant favor
on all sides.
But we don't want Heeseman trail
In u.s." expostulated Hays.
''You mean after we pull the deal7"
Queried Brad, incredulously.
ashore mean after"
"Wal, what in thunderation do we
care for him, when we've got the coin
an are on our way to tibet roost we're
due to find%
81 don't just like the idee, fellers,"
replied Hays, evasively.
Jim Wall, studying the robber leader
closely, imagined that Hays was not
exposing all the details of his plot.
Lets put my idee to a vote" said
Smoky.
When this suggestion was solemnly
complied with, making use of the deck
~ klo&
had won.
$50 far, so good" said Hays, as If
relieved "Now let's see. Smoky,
tomorrow you take your gang, includin'
Brad, an quit. Pack a slew Of grub
an grain, an hide out below. Cache
what you don't need. I'll go to Grand
Junction for new hands, See? But
all I'll come back with will be instruc-
lions for you to follow. Then you can
60 drivin'."
"Good. An how about the cash?'
wal, them buyers won't pay me In
advance, you can gamble on tibet. But
they'll pay you. Just divide with your
outfit an save our share"
"Short an sweet. I like it more all
the time," declared Smoky.
"We'l want to know where your
camp Is" went ON Hays. Reckon I'd
better ride out with you tomorrow"
"No. You rustic for Grand juno
ton. Wen see tibet Happy an Jim
know where to find our camp"
Jim thought Of something: men,
has it occurred to you that you can't
drive cattle up this road and through
the ranch?"
ashore. No need. It'd be seven
ty-mile drive If we came this way.
But we'll drive round by Limestone,
an up the other valley road. About
the same distance to Grand"
The conference ended. Hays turned
to the open fire, and seeking a seat In
the shadow by the chimney he pom
dered. 1t was Jim's opinion that the
chief had vastly more on his mind
than he had divulged. Lincoln gave
him a suspicious stare. The others
seemed eminently pleased with the out
look, though no more was said in
Jim's hearing. They joked and smoked.
Jim babe them good night and went
out. His last glimpse of Hays was
thought-provoking. Lighting another
cigar, Jim strolled up and down the
porch, revolving in mind the confer
ence.
1t was a spring night, starry, with
an edge on the mountain air that
meant frost in the morning.
Was it possible that this lantern
eyed robber had evil intentions toward
Herrick's sister, Jim secuted the sus-
picion.
Hang the girl part Of 1t, anyhow"
he muttered, flinging his half-smoked
cigar out Into the noisy brook. Why
did woman have to come along to
upset the best-laid plans of men?
The next morning brought somber
faces and action. Five of Hays out
fit rode away with six Of the pack
horses and most of the supplies. Hays
watched them until they disappeared
among the cedars.
oval, now I'll brace the boss" he
said.
"What excuse will you give him%
asked Jim.
"Anythin' would do to tell Her
rick. But Heeseman will see through
me, I'm afeared."
very well. You tell Herrick that
your outfit split over me-"
"Oyer you? Dog-gone! Tibet amt
SO poor. But why?"
Both Slocum and Lincoln are sort
of touchy about gun-throwing, aren't
they? Well. tell him how queer that
brand Of gunman is-how he instinc-
lively hates the real gunman. And
that Slocum and Lincoln made you
choose between them and me-"
"Ahuh. Sort of so the idea will get
to Heeseman's ears that in pinch
with guns I'd rather have you backin'
me than them?"
Exactly"
Not long afterward Hays returned
to the cabin jubilant. you'd never
guess, Jim. That Englisher laughed
like the very devil. An he ordered
me to ride off after some desperadoes
who're not afraid of Jim WALL"