The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-08-19
gin worrying about"

II might De because billy wheel
err is kind of strong as cattleman
I'm speaking of bank strength. !
don't know anything about how
Billy Wheeler stands in this mess.
But it may be they think he might
work out as an ace card in patch
ing up the finances of the "a. That
being the case, naturally they'd like
nothing better than to set him aside
to cool for 80 days. A man can't
read his facts unless he looks lit
tie into the people situation. 1t sure
begins to look" said Old Man Cot
fee, 'as if I'm going to have to 60
to Inspiration for this trial"
NO." said Horse Dunn. Because
there isn't going to be any trial"
Marian Dunn said sharply, what
do you mean?"
For once Horse Dunn failed to
wilt before the flare-up of his niece.
Il won't stand for it," he declared.
give stood enough! They'll take
Billy Wheeler no place."
81 Think" Marian Dunn said, "you
must be mad!''
Mad, is it? Mad or no mad, the
coyote pack will never take Billy
Wheeler in"
There's this about it, Mr.. Dunn, y
Val Douglass drawled. 'We're COM
ing up against bigger things here
than an open fight over whether or
not this Wheeler will stand up and
take his medicine for busting the
Kids leg. After all, there's some
thing in what you niece says. Tulare
says that tonight or tomorrow Amos
can raise up posse of hundred.
We'd look good trying to bronze
stomp a hundred men,"
Horse Dunn beloved, "You stand
there and tell me"
Billy Wheeler cut in. Hes right,
Horse"
"What?"
Billy Wheeler looked Val Douglas
over coolly. Val doesn't strike me
like a teller that would be right
very Often" he said at last. "But
this ought to raise his percentage I
guess. I'm going to leave 'em take
me, Horse"
you'll do nothing of the kind"
Horse Dunn told him. I'm boss
here!"
Billy Wheeler sprawled relaxed,
as if he were resting, and met
Dunn's glare evenly. If the others
there did not understand why the
Old Man of the "a turned to this
youngster more headily than to any
one else in time of need, they could
have learned something about that
by looking at them now.
81 don't know as you can stop me,
Horse" Wheeler said.
The day was hardly breaking
when Sheriff Walt Amos came ham,
mering at the door.
The sheriff came alone, without
show of force. Wheeler's surrender
he outwardly took as matter OF
course; though a close observer
might have detected a certain pleas
relief.
It was nearly six in the morning
as they rolled down the dusty ruts
toward the first test of strength
since the killing at Short Creek
Three cars drove to Inspiration, for
Billy Wheeler had reserved certain
privileges of free action; and the
sheriff returned to Inspiration alone
in his own car, as he had come. A
second car was driven by Horse
Dunn, who took with him Gil Baker
Steve Hurley, and Tulare Callahan;
and-what seemed more important
Marian Dunn, between Val Douglas
and her huge uncle in the front seat
The Old Man of the "a was pos
sessed by a vague persistent hope
that somewhere, some time, Marian
would see something which would
change her opinions as to the bal
ance of force and justice in the Red
Hills ranges.
Old Man Coffee rode with Billy
Wheeler, who drive his own road
ster.
"There in that one car" said COT
fee, watching Horse Dunn's tower Of
dust, "goes all that's left of the 81
outfit; except for you and me, who
don't really belong here"
Billy Wheeler nodded. II couldn't
hardly believe" he said, ''that Horse
was trying to run 10000 head of cat
tie, even through the quiet months
with only four men and himself"
Hes got 10000 head, has he?"
"The book count shows 10000
head. Allowing for death losses, he
supposes he's got IA to 16 thousand
Short-handed as he is, he can't be
right sure"
''I've seen the day." Old Man COT.
fee said, 1.-TWO, three years ago
when the "a clubhouse never helc
less than IL or Is hands. And il