The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-09-28
CHAPTER II-Continued


3
"H-l-you say" painted Stud. But
that ringing taunt had cut the force
Of his purpose. .s..
you've got a gun in each inside
vest pocket" said Wall, contemptu-
ously.
The gambler let his hands relax and
slide off the table.
Stud shuffled to his feet, malignant
and beaten for the moment
Hays, you an me are even," he
said, gruffly. "But I'll meet your
new pard some other time and then
there'n be a showdown"
"Shore, Stud. No hard feelin's on
my side" drawled Hays.
The little gambler stalked to the
bar, drank and left the saloon.
Hank Hays turned round.
Jim, tibet Teller did have two guns
inside his vest. I never saw them, till
you gave it away. He-would have
killed me-"
Il think he would, Hays" returned
Wall. you were sitting bad for ac-
ton"
Right you are, Jim, and I'm much
obliged to you. I'd like to know some
thin"
whats that? ..
'Did you bluff him?"
Hardly. I had him figured. 1t was
pretty good bet he wouldn't try to
draw. But If he had made a move"
"Ahuh. It'd been all day with
him. This gambler Stud has a
name out here for bein' swift on the
draw. He's killed"
BAIL" cut in Wall, good-humoredly.
'Men who can handle guns don't pack
them that way"
Presently they babe Red good night
and went outside.
where you sleepin'?' asked Hays.
LEFT my pack in the stall out back
with my horse. What do we do to-
morrow"
II was thinkin' of tibet. Wen shake
the dust Of Green River. 1 reckon to-
morrow we'd better stock up on every
thin an hit the trail for the Henrys."
Suits me-" replied Wall.
oval, then, good night. Breakfast
here early" concluded Hays
A red sunrise greeted Wall upon his
awakening. When, little later, he
presented himself at the back Of Reds
house for breakfast he was to find
Hays, Happy Jack and Brad Lincoln
ahead Of him.
They had breakfast. BRAD, you
fetch your pack horses round back"
ordered the leader, when they got
outside. Happy, you get yourself a
boss. Then meet US at the store quick
as you can get there. Jim, you
come with me-"
"Hays, I'm in need Of some things"
said Wall. ... .-....
Hays drew out handful Of bills
and pressed them upon Wall.
"Shore. Buy what outfit you need
an don't forget a lot of Shells" re-
piled Hays. IF don't miss my guess
Wen have smoky summer. Hawl
Haw! Here's the store"
A bright young fellow, who looked
to be the son Of the proprietor, took
charge of Wall. A new saddle blan-
ket was Wallis first choice, after which
ne bought horseshoeS and nails, a
hammer and file, articles he had long
needed, and the lack of which had
made Bay lame. After that he select
ed a complete new outfit of wearing
apparel, a new tarpaulin, a blanket,
rope, and wound up with a goodly sup
ply Of shells for his As revolver. Like
wise he got some boxes of "A rifle
shells.
Half an hour later the four men.
driving five packed horses and two
unpacked, rode off behind the town
across the fiat toward the west. Com
ing to road, Hays led on that for a
mile or so, and then branched off on
q seldom-used trail.
Towards sunset they drew down TO
the center of vast swale, where the
green intensified. and the eye of the
range rider could see the influence of
water. ~
Hays halted for camp at a swampy
sedge plot where water oozed out and
grass was thick enough to hold the
horses.
"Ahai Good to be out again, boys"
said Hays, heartily. Throw saddles
an packs. Turn the bosses loose.
Happy, you're elected cook Rest Of
us rustic somethin' to burn"
Jim rambled far afield to collect
an armload of dead stalks Of cactus,
grease-wood, sunf1ower; and dusk was
mantling the desert when he got back
to camp. Happy Jack was whistling
about little fire; Hays knelt before
a pan Of dough, which he was knead-
ing; Lincoln was busy at some camp
chore
Wall, I don't like store bread"
Hays was saying. "Give me sour
dough biscuits. How about you,
Jim?"
me, too. And I'd like some cake"
replied Jim, dropping his load.
Cake! Wal, listen to our new
hand. Jack, can you bake cake?'
"Sure. We got flour an sugar an
milk. Did you fetch some eggsT"