The Washington times., 1938-02-08

so would !" TWo-Way agreed
on their way into town they de-
clded on their next move. They
would drift in to the livery stable
and while Two-Way was EARNING
with the stableman, Cardowan
would rope each aparejo into a
compact bundle.
They would leave them at the
stage station, unaddresed, as part
of their luggage. Their very
weight would tell the curious that
they couldn't contain gold. That
night they would board the stage
with their luggage and head
south, to Mexico, eventually.
Two-Way fell silent now, think.
| ing, but not putting into words,
what would happen when they
took the stage out of Rincon. Car
dowan would be armed then, and
now. since POGO st. Vrain was
dead, he would rate as the deadli-
est gunman at large. Sooner or
later, when the chance came, Two
Way knew Cardowan would kill
him for the other half of the gold.
The thought of this didn't bother
Two-Way much. He'd get to Car
dowan first. But, above all things,
he had to realize that 500 pounds
of anything, gold or rocks, was a
weight around a mans neck If
he had to travel fast. He'd have
! to wait for a sure chance of quick
and fast escape before he cut
loose on Cardowan.
And what pleased Two-Way
most was that he knew Cardowan
had figured it out the same way.
In their own separate ways, Two.
Way conceded soberly, they were
both good men-only he was the
better.
CHAPTER Xxx
It fell out in Rincon just as
Two-Way had foreseen. The livery
stable was at the end of the towns
main street, and they drifted in
without attracting more than a
sidelong glance from townsmen
who we're used to the comings and
goings of prospectors.
At the stable Two.Way drew the
boy to one side and dickered over
the four horses which they wanted
to sell before the stage came in
that night. Cardowan roped the
sacks in two tight compact bundles
and showed them against the wall
along with some sacks Of feed,
then drifted up to listen to Two
Way, who was concluding his bar
gain.
Where's the stage station?"
Two-Way asked the lad, after the
money had been paid.
They change horses here. Any
heavy stuff they'll pick up here.
Passengers and luggage at the
hotel"
Two-Way said they had two
pieces of freight they wanted put
aboard.
"what1l they weigh?" the boy
asked.
Two-Way told him about 500
pounds. The youngster shook his
head. They won't take it unless
you buy more seat space. You're
only allowed a hundred pounds. u
Two-Way told him he'd see
about it. At the hotel Two-Way
learned that several ,;eople were
expected to arrive in Rincon on
the evening stage and no seats
were sold yet for the trip south.
| TWo-Way paid for six places, eX.
planning he had some heavy lug,
gage that must go along with him
and that he and his partner were
in hurry.
BUY GUNS
They crossed to the hardware
store. Cardowan spent a good
half hour buying and testing a
pair Of matched, cedar-handled
ASS. while Two-Way looked on.
content with a single .38 Smith &
Wesson which he rammed in his
belt. The purchase of ammuni-
ton and shellbelt finished the
transaction.
Outside again, they went into
the nearest cafe. ate, and then
sought the street again.
Idling down the walk opposite
the jail picking his teeth. Two
Way noticed the moving light in
the Jail window opposite. He saw
a head framed in it turn away and
disappear.
I'D like a drink" Cardowan
said.
"And I'd like a couple of hands
Of poker" Two-Way said, indicat.
ing the Maricopa. which was just
now being lighted up. "All right,
I'll drink and you gamble. I've
never heard how you get drunk. u
yeah" Cardowan said trucu,
lently. "and I've heard how you
gamble. There's generally gun,
fight before you quit
That's right" Two-Way said
amicably. II don't want to drink
and you don't want to gamble, so
we shouldn't get in trouble"
L Cardowan smiled in spite OF