Nogales international., 1936-06-20

SGpalfS. NOtV go on tO1t1 tVe StOfJ'
The shell dealer, whose eyes had
never left Speeds face, dived into
the crowd. No one else saw the
lightning gesture with which the
outlaw jerked his guns. There was
n CLINT in both his hands a split
fraction of second before the forty
fives flashed and roared and spoke
again. Fallon's weapons had hardly
shifted when they were wrecked IN
their holsters. The third shot
knocked the cigar from his mouth,
and the fourth went sideways at
another mark on the near edge OF
the gaming table, where man who
had drawn at the same time as Fal-
lon, dropped his gun from a nerve
hess hand, his wrist streaming blood.
Speed backed away, eyes raking
the crowd, guns held close and
ready.
81 told you l wasn't patient, and
amt" he said, in voice Maitland
never had heard. But bein' cleo
ted camp boss on platform of Gus
sedness, accept accordin'. Nothin'
on legs will cross Porcupine Bridge
till the trail from here to there is in
shape, and In good shape. The trail
is barred for four days work. If
anyone doubts about my havin' the
CUTS to make that good, they can
signify their views here and now by
sayin' liar and coyote"
It was the third evening after the
barring of the trail. Maitland found
his partner talking alone with Brent
near roughly bridged crossing at
the upper end of the road work,
which landslide that day had in
terrupted.
During three days, new steamers
bad been pouring into Skagway 2
mob of adventurers - ."Sweepings'
Of the Coast towns as well as bona
fide prospectors who knew nothing
of the cause of the dispute and cared
less. Fallon had been packing then
in at Liarsville to vote the trail
open; had chosen posse of gun
men in advance from among the
widest. Before this gathering
threat, most of the trail workers hac
given way.
"They's a short string of us will
go the limit, if you want to-, Brent
was saying.
Speed shook his head. 'It
wouldn't be no kind of break fol
the boys who made this trail to gel
hung for it. Tell them-to pick uE
their tools, leave her open and
stand clear"
'I've got an old deer gun back
to camp" Brent shifted the quic
slowly in his cheek. "She amt seeG
no real action sence she fit string
of hide thieves from a buffalo wal
ler away back in II. I'd ruthel
shoot her out than see you called
that way"
There was acknowledgement ir
Speeds smile, but he declined the
proposal, and the old-timer gloomiiy
withdrew to carry his decision tt
the few men who were still waiting
for it.
Better trail with him, Bud.
Speed said to his partner, "and lool
up Garnet. We amt seen him foI
two days."
what are you going to dor
Maitland asked, with a forebodint
that Speed had no disclosed his rea
intention.
1--WE agreed once" said the out
law, after a pause, that I'd war;
you and we'd split pardners if
ever went up against the Law
Seems like I've reached that juno
ton. Bud. I'm into this play necl
deep and can't quit"
Maitland gave a sober nod O.
haif-coinprehension.
cts on'y my hand Fallon':
caliin'," Speed explained earnestly
and with more emphasis. Hell
head through here, first with hi;
Ehebang and either he don't cross
this bridge, or l don't live to see it
But ne mas the backin' of the min.
ers' iaw, or will have, by sun-up-'
Mob ! aw," Maitland amended
"If you don't see your way to quit
Speed, you can't count me out. Or
principle, I'd"
The Westerner groaned. "Yor
ornery iown-East YankS, with your
principles ard proverbs - Listen
Bud. Whether | ever reach Daw.
son or not don't matter whole
lot; with you it's different Gt's
what you cone for. I've figured
Garnet as your chance Of gettin
there.
But there is 40 law, Fast OF
West, and no tic as strong as TIA
which binds man to a partner
against fighting odds, and with