The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-07-29
Chapter 20
Chance For Revenge

thoughts or lea LaynOr as a
rival, and his fury at Scrap john
son, Josh Hastings found himself
cherishing two distinct plans of re-
venge.
First of all, he meant to make his
former puncher pay through the
nose for his insolence, and his plan
here was definite and drastic, al
though it had to be handled with
care.
He had no idea of telling the
whole story Of his plight, and be-
s ing the laughing stock Of the range.
So this prevented him from calling
4 tie sheriff to his aid. and following
on the trail Of Scrap johnson with
"a posse,
aW2H e.had a bunch that Scrap was
headed for the Idaho state line, and
that he planned to make his get
away through the one pass that led
over the Bitter Root from this re-
gion.
If he followed right after him,
there was a good chance of over
taking him. Scrap Johnson would
be pretty sure to figure that his
one-time boss would rather lose
his mount and call quits on the
situation than let the story leak
out of the fix his cowhand had
landed him in. Therefore, he
wouldn't feel pressed for time, and
it would be fairly easy matter to
catch up with him.
"And there won't be any doubt
about who'll have the drop this
timei" Josh Hastings thought
voiced itself aloud, with a malig-
nant intensity of tone that BODIED
Ill for Scrap Johnson when that
moment should come.
He stopped down to ease the heel
OF MS boot, then limped along with
a groan.
Hell pay for that damn blister,
too, he muttered savagely, as he
forged ahead. his eyes squinted
into the distance for a glimpse of
the scattered buildings Of the Fly
ing Six.
Finally they doomed in sight, and
Josh Hastings slowed up as he
planned his campaign Of action.
Then, regardless Of his blistered
feet, he broke into q run for a
nearby coulee. He had no time to
lose If he was going 70 make the
lower corral and get horse with
out being seen.
When he had left the ranch TO
follow Scrap johnson, he had an
nounced that he might spend the
night IN town, so no one was ex-
pecting him. Right now the boys
would be either in the mess shack
or gathered around waiting for the
supper call, so here was his chance
for safe getaway.
AT the Central Divide
FOLLOWING the coulee, he came
at last to the lower corral,
which was hidden from the ranch
buildings, and located good 800
yards distant from the upper
corral.
Roping himself a horse. Josh
Hastings quickly saddled him and
rode back through the coulee
which sheltered him from view.
He gave the ranch house a wide |
berth, and headed off for the |
mountains at a run.
1t was more than an hour later |
when he reached the trail that |
eventually led to the pass across |
the divide.
The last streams of color from
the afterglow Of the sunset were
fading into Light pinks and laven-
ders, and twilight was well under |
way. as he started up the steep
climb between the living walls Of |
pines.
Only the faintess light penetrat- /
ed through the thick branches that /
interlaced overhead, but Josh |
Hastings pushed on, his lust for re-
venge still strong upon him.
There would be moon later TO /
guide him through the pass in the |
saddle Of the divides profile. Ii he /
had not overtaken his victim By /
that time. But he figured he would /
come upon him before reaching the /
central divide.
Urging his horse on, he finally |
emerged from the heavily TIM /
bered slope Of the eastern divide |
and, topping the ridge. plunged 1
down to the shallow valley that /
lay between il and the central /
divide. Quickly crossing The val /
ley. Josh Hastings urged his mount /
on up the scantily timhered slope
Of the central divide.
The light Of the rising moon
gradually spread over the whole
landscape, and BY the TING re
reached the crest Of the pass ii was
high IN the heavens