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

''Wal, I'll let 1t go at thet," returned
Heeseman, coolly. "Much obliged for
lettin' me come up. An If you get
curious just ride over to see me-"
He rose, stretched his long length,
and walked off the porch to mount his
horse, leaving Jim about as surprised
as he had ever been. Happy Jack
came out in time to see him join his
comrades and ride back with them
toward the corrals.
"Short visit. Glad it was. What'd
he want?"
Darn If I savvy, altogether. Didn't
you hear any Of our talk?"
"No. reckoned the less heard the
better. Then Hank couldn't razz me.
But I had bunch of what he was
up to-"
Jim did not press the question. He
carried his rife back into the cabin.
rather ashamed Of his overhaste, and
feeling already curious enough to call
on Heeseman.
They had supper, after which Jack
smoked and talked, while Jim listened.
Evidently Happy Jack had taken lik-
ing to him. Jim went to bed early, not
because he was sleepy, but to keep
from calling on that fellow Heeseman.
How many nights Jim Wall had
lain down under the dark trees to
wakefulness, to the thronging thoughts
that must mock the rest of any man
who has strayed from the straight and
narrow PATH 1t tormented him ct
certain times. But that never kept the
old concentrated bordering over to-
morrow from gaining control Of his
consciousness.
There had been no hesitation about
Hank Hays declaring himself In re-
gard to Heeseman. Callous, con-
temptuous, Hays had indicated the de-
STABILITY Of riding the range of Heese-
man. But Heeseman had been subtle.
Unquestionably his motive had been
to undermine Hays in Jim's regard.
And few questions and an assertion
or two had had their effect. Jim made
the reservation that he had not ac-
cepted Hays on anything but face
value. Still the robber had gradually
built up character of intent force,
cunning, and strength. These had
crashed, though there was no good rea-
son for that. Jim had not accepted
Hays word for anything.
Hays was not a square partner!
This stuck In Jim's craw.
Why this seemed true puzzled Jim.
Heeseman had simply verified a form
ing but still disputed suspicion in Jim's
mind-that Hank Hays had evil de-
signs upon Herrick's sister. Heese-
man and Hays had probably known for
weeks that this English girl was ex-
pected to arrive.
Suppose he had! What business
was that of Jim's? None, except that
he now formed one of Hays band and
as such had right to question activi-
ties. Rustling cattle, at least in
moderate way, was almost a legiti-
mate business. Ranchers, since the
early days of the cattle drives from
Texas, had accepted their common
losses. It had been only big steals
that reused them to ire and action, to
make outlaws out of rustlers. Never
theless, it was extremely doubtful, out
here in the wilds Of Utah, that even a
wholesale steal would be agitating.
To abduct girl, however, might throw
western interest upon the perpetra-
tors. Hays object assuredly was to
collect ransom.
Still that had not been Heeseman's
intimation, nor had 1t been Jim's orig
inal suspicion. He gave 1t up in dis
gust. Time would tell. But he did
not feel further inclined to call upon
Heeseman. He would stick to Hays,
awaiting developments.
The ensuing day passed uneventful-
ly. No one of Smoky's outfit showed
up, nor did Hays return. Jim waited
for Herrick to give him orders, which
were not forthcoming. The rancher
was chasing jackrabbits and coyotes
with the hounds.
Next morning Jim made it a point
to ride over to the barns. The rancher
came down in a queer costume. The
red coat took Jim's eye. A motley
pack of hounds and sheep dogs was
new to Jim, as he had not seen or
heard any dogs about the ranch. Jim
was invited to ride along with Herrick
and the several cowboys. They went
by Heeseman's camp, which was va
cant. Jim was to learn that the
rancher had put the Heeseman outfit
to work on the cutting and peeling of
logs up on the slope, preparatory to
the erection of new barn.
Jack rabbits were as thick as bees.
The cowboys led the dogs, which soon
became unmanageable and bolted.
Then the race was on. Where the
ground was level and unobstructed by
brush or cut up by washes Herrick
did fairly well as to Craftsmanship, but
In rough going he could not keep to
the English saddle. He would put his
horse at anything and he had jar
ring fall.
Notwithstanding this, Herrick fin
ished out the hunt He was funny,
and queer, but he was game, and Jim
liked him. On the way back Jim
amused the Englishman by shooting
jack rabbits with his revolver. He
managed to kill three out Of five to
Herrick's infinite establishment and adj
miration.
M r3E