The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-05-23
CHAPTER w

reached the home ranch of the Bar
Hook. They were nearly In before Lee
Bishop had anything to say.
II haven't carried gum" he de-
clared, "snce was kid. except to
hunt with. and | never pulled a gun on
a man In my life. But If I'd had so
much as bean shooter-I'd have killed
MeGord where he sat"
"Tell me one thing" Kentucky said
do you know any reason why Nc
Cord should want your scalp?'
That's Just what gets me-" Lee
Bishop said. "Doggone It, hardly
know the man. He knew had to tell
him TO move his cattle back
Kentucky tried a new shot In the
dark. Lee. how long have you known
that Bill McCord was mixed up In the
killing of Mason? That man has some
reason for wanting to down you, Lee
Ask yourself what you know that Isn't
good for him.
Bishop did not answer for nearly a
quarter of mile. ut beats me, Ken
lucky; can't think Of anything | got
on him. If I'd only had gum
Immediately they sought out Campo
Ragland, whom they found modify
swallowing scaldlng coffee In the
kitchen. Lee Bishop briefly told his
boss of the drive OF twelve hundred
vuAd-the prompt. bold beginning of
Ell0t's play for the Bar Hook range
OF his own clash with McCord he made
little.
eMIcCord cussed me out good.
would have took poke at him, one
time there. only Kentucky reached out
and kind OF steadied my horse
Twelve hundred head" Ragland
considered well II that's all Of EN-
! suppose the range can stand 1t; I've
seen worse years for grass
Lee Bishop stared at him dumb
founded. .All Of EN-! !" he finally ex-
claimed. "Of course that aIn't all Of
EN-! You'll find out that this here Is
only a pointer and beginning It's
the start of freezeout. that's what
1t Is"
Ragland said moodIly, Hes In no
shape for that"
Sure he's In no shape for It." said
Lee Bishop spunkily. But It's what
he's after Just the same He's going to
load that range taking what death
losses he can't get out OF. His only
chance Of hanging on after be loses his
lease is to crowd In here before then
that's what we've got here!"
Its bad. all right Ragland ad-
mitted.
Come tomorrow" Lee Bishop said,
Il can take our boys and go down
there and stop that herd; and"
"EllIot isn't going to draw back bis
cattle. He'll
Then, by Cd, wen smear into
them and put 'em backl'
They'll pIstol-whip you. you starr
that stuff"
Il don't believe" Lee Bishop be-
gan. Then he changed what he had
started to say. We'll, then. sup
pose,' he said, well just have to pis-
tol-whip 'em back. Me, don't know
any other way"
Campo Ragland slammed his coffee
cup onto the stove. II don't want any
OF that" he said. That's od-time
stuff--It don't go nowadays. Nobody
ever made anything by any such bust
ness yet. After all. you got to make
allowances. That brand Is fighting for
Its life.r
Lee Bishop looked at Kentucky,
turned away, and hopeessly spread his
hands. Kentucky led The way out; 1T
was time to feed hay. anyway
What theySdeyil's got into him p
said Bishop as soon as they were out
side. "Do you suppose he's going to
lay down and quit on us?"
"lie sure set up an over-hopeful
holler," Kentucky admitted Does he
generally bust out with the shilly-
shallies this way?'
mol I've never seen him like this
uElbIct hlSHuu lSil llIlO UlUbuy
silence while they walked as far as the
hay racks. Look here" he said, sud
denly turning on Kentucky. You know
what's holding him back?"
NO. said Kentucky honestly.
Il knowl know only too darn well.
| tell you" His voice stopped as
sharply as II he had been struck, and
he stood staring past Kentucky Jones.
Spinning on his heel to follow Bish-
ops eyes. Kentucky saw that the fore
man was staring at forlorn dun
horse which stood low-headed before
the bars OF one OF the corrals. An
arms length OF broken rein dangled
from one side OF Its bride, trailing
the ground; and 1t stood spread-legged
to avoid the chafe Of a saddle that was
no longer on Its back. but under Its
belly.
$50 Zack is dead said Lee Bishop
slowly, at last.
"His horse7' a