The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-04
CHAPTER XIV


 Zachary "Hades" Jones was a bit weary when he returned to camp that night. The 24-mile round trip had taken him two full days,
 "These danged mules is contrar- fern a thunderstorm" he grum- bled. "They ain't pack broke good yit. Here, Hoffman, would you help me with these here kags, please sir2"
 They unloaded the fresh cool water ample for drinking, cook ing and Scanty toilet until another week should pass. Then Hades re- leased the animals for bit of grazing nearby. There was hole of stagnant water just a mile away, all right for the stock but too alkaline or salty" for human use.
 where ats tn bossP" HadcS asked.
 Amt seen him all day. And by grabs I'd like to know, toop
 "Eh?" Hades paused to look Questioningly at Holliman.
 Well fact is. Hades, he's out with Lissa. Just them two"
 HAdes spat rather copiously and Rlared at Hoffman.
 "g.posen he is9 Amt no lion, Is she? Amt gonna hurt him none2"
 "fiell, mol But what business has he got taking a young gal out by herself"
 Hades Jones, aged 7o-odd, stepped forward menacingly.
 What do you mean, Hoffman? Why you lyin'-l"
 "Shut up, old man. Want me to slap you downp"
 No one had dared to speak thus to riades Jones in more than half a century. Uncle Hades had friends. and enemies who re. spected him, in practically every county and corral from Fl paso to Yuma. He had punched COWS un- til he joined a gold rush and made more money. Then he had been a proSpector since. He had gone without water and food for four days straight, helping defend Q settlement from an Apache Indian attack ifi his youth. When he was nearing 60 years of age he had shot 1t out with two MeXicans who essayed to hold up 0 bank at Bis bee. He had been In the bank at the time, and fiades of oil the doz- en people there didn't throw ur his hands as commanded. People said he still owned the scalp of the redskin who killed his father, and he never denied 1t.
 However, 1t was the utter sur. prise of his "sass" which saved Hoffman some serious embarrass- ment, there in camp.
 Hades' jaw just dropped. Five seconds later, unquestionably, he would have had two massive pis- tols aimed with terrible accuracy at Holiman's stomach. He hao been known to do just that with other men, and daring them ever to resent 1t. But---at that instant Honey Bee Girl appeared.
 "super Is ready she an. nounced, "and Bawb say to tell you not to walt for them, as they might not be back at all"
 Before Hades astonishment hat Mlly cleared Hoffman was sitting down at the crude camp table dishing up a pint or so of rich rec chill The old man dischargee enough tobacco juice to drown Q good .sized mammal, tabled hi plans for discipline, and wen rlarinR into supper himself,
 His spirit calmed some as he ate as what mans doesntP
 Honey Bee might be surly, stup' Id, or whatever, but she Shor, could cookl Many another wom' an has been forgiven her short comings because of her culinary art, Hades forgaVe no redsRh anything; but he ate.
 He got up before Holliman did and walked to the foot Of the castl' cliff.
 3ANGl BANol
 Holman and Honey Bee peeres out in alarm. But Hades was only signalling, His old neck wa craned upward, studying th' castle. -,,,.. ',
 He fired again, twice rapidly. | was . time -honored call Of th'