The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-07-22

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peded across the crick, running some
sideways. The teller was being drag
ged, like from the stirrup."
Dunn turned and led across the
shallow water. GAS I rode up this
bank" he told the sheriff, II seen
that the trail of the killer was fol-
lowing the trail of the stampeded
horse-the same as l." He led on
another so yards across a maze of
cattle tramplings. 'Here," he said
finally, "is where the teller broke
loose from the saddle"
How'd you know he fell loose
here?" Amos asked.
Because he wasn't dragged no
further" Dunn said shortly.
For moment now they sat star
ing morosely at shallow bowl-like
pit which the dusty paving of the
cattle had dug.
"This what you saw, Link?" Sher-
Tiff Amos asked.
Bender nodded. $50 far"
"The trail of the killer turned
back from here" Dunn said. 1T
took to the crick. I tried to find
where it come out of the crick. There
was too many horse tracks from the
range stock; never found where it
come out While was trying to trail
it, Link Bender come by and I hail
ed him. After I showed him what I
found he took off after the dead
mans horse"
There was a long pause 'This all
you fellers got to show?" the sheriff
said at last.
That's ALL" Dunn said.
Link Bender nodded. II lost the
trail of the dead feller's horse" he
said shortly. II swung wide and
found the horse further on, but I
never seen the saddle"
The sheriff sat his horse for al
most full minute, as if in fought.
de ueq4 '4eeds o. 4noqe pemees OH
parently thought better of it. Silent
ly he led back the way they had
come They were nearly back to
Chuck Box Wash before anyone
spoke.
'"This is pretty bad thing, Dunn"
Amos said tentatively at last. 'The
big end of the Red Hills cowmen are
pretty we'll stirred up"
Funny" Dunn said dryly, show
quick the word got round"
They had come to the forking of
their trails, where Dunn would turn
westward toward his home ranch.
They pulled up their horses.
Dunn" the sheriff said, ''you
wasn't figuring to 60 any place, was
your"
Amos" said Horse Dunn, 'what
you mean by that?"
The sheriff met his eye directly,
but without pleasure. I'll have to
ask you not to leave the county,
! Dunn"
Horse Dunn was visibly angering.
| Suddenly Billy Wheeler remem-
bered that Dunn was facing out
something greater than two or three
men on horses. Link Bender stood
for a whole ring of half-whipped
brands-the wolf ring, waiting hope
fully on it's hounches; Sheriff Amos
represented a county. Behind these
men were numbers and strength
and against the many the Old Man
of the "a stood opposed as power
full thumb opposes the finger of a
hand.
"And," Horse Dunn Numbered,
''you take it on yourself to tell me
where I'll 60 and GOMEZ"
'There's plenty stuff has to be
cleared up" the sheriff said stub
bornly. zone thing, why was those
two unknown fellers riding toward
the home ranch of the 94?"
'How do I know that?" Dunn de-
manded. IF they're like the aver
age run of Red Hills, they was most
likely looking for something to
steal!"
Cali the more reason we have to
know where you are" the sheriff
retorted. IF it's a cow thief that's
dead, who would shoot him on your
range but you or one of your boys?"
'Not one of my neighbors. Horse
Dunn let his eyes drift to Link Ben
der's face. mo, not them! They'd
never make a move-unless it was
to hand the teller his brander."
Instantly Link Bender said, ''What
do you mean by that?"
In the little moment before Horse
! Dunn's reply, Billy Wheeler glanced
about him, noting the position of the
men. Of them all, only Cayuse
Cayetano appeared to be unarmed.
Link Bender sat alongside the sher-
Tiff, but separted from him by the
led horse. Wheeler saw him exchange
a quick glance with his son, who sat
detached, a little to one side. With
one spur Wheeler woke his pony, so