The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1938-04-21

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the Alan. SD Hunt and
Kansas were saodling their horses.
One Of them tied back of the saddle
a g%unnysack containing oats.
What about that lame sorrel,
Sid?" asked Reynolds. "You be
back tonight"
you look after it, Jim." Hunt
said. Don't look for us till you see
u dust coming up the road"
1--WE got a hen on down Live Oak
canyon way" Kansas said with a
grin.
Back Of the horse Hunt kicked
him on the ankle.
Kansas added a rider to his in
discreet remark: "Or somewheres
else"
Each of the men had a rifle
strapped beside his saddle.
Gray watched them ride out of
town. They took the road to the
west. the one Lee Chiswick and his
daughter had followed the night of
their adventure in front of Sanger's
store. Half an hour later, Norris,
Mile High, and young Howard left
Tail Holt headed in the same direc-
ton.
Darkness was falling when Jeff
Gray rode out of town. He had
never been in Live Oak canyon, but
he knew from Pat Sorley that it was
on the L c range. not more than
three or four miles southwest of the
line-cabin.
We're the night riders out to make
a raid OF L c cattle? That was pos
sible. But why cross 20 miles of
Chiswick's range into hill country
when plenty Of stock could be picked
up in the Sweet Spring valley with
a much shorter drive to safety?
AS he rode through the darkness,
mind focused on the problem. an
other likelihood flashed upon Gray.
Occasionally smugg!ers from Sono-
"a brought silver to Tough Nut to
buy goods for consumption in Mex
leo, thus escaping the Mexican ex-
port duty on silver and the import
duty on merchandise. In such illicit
trading there was a fat profit. Be-
tween Ell Paso and Nogales there
was no port of entry. The only
custom-house was a shack on the
San Pedro river at the point where
it runs into the United States. One
of the routes followed by smugglers
wound through Live Oak canyon.
From it the descent to Tough Nut
was by an easy grade.
The longer he thought OF it the
more convinced he was that the raid
was against smugglers. A pack
horse had accompanied the Norris
party. probably to carry back the
silver. Moreover. the personnel of
the group pointed to something 9TH
er than cattle . stealing. Neither
young Howard nor Kansas we're top
hands with COWS. Why bring them
along and leave an expert like Curly
at home?
From chance remarks Gray had
gathered that Curly was the leader
of the rustler group. But Curly was
10 wanton killer.
Gray did not ride straight for the
canyon, but took the road that led
to the L c ranch-house. The CHS
wicks would know much better than
he what to do. since they we're ia
miliar with the terrain. If he played
a lone hand he might miss the
smugglers and let them ride on to
destruction.
1t was in the small hours when he
reached the ranch. At his approach
to the house a dog barked furiously.
Presently someone opened the front
door and came out on the porch.
A voice demanded. who's
there?"
Tell Lee Chiswick that Jeff Gray
wants to see him." the night visitor
answered. at the same time swing
ing from the saddle on the far side
of the horse.
lhere was a moment OF silence.
What you want with him?" Bob
Chiswick asked.
"I'll tell him that when I see
him." Gray said dryly. "You run
along in and tell him I'm here"
A head was thrust out of an up.
per window. who is it, Bob?"
Says he is Jeff Gray. Father"
Bob called up.
wait a minute" The head was
withdrawn.
Five minutes later Lee Chiswick
stepped out on the porch.
Gray told him why he was there.
To his son Lee said, Light a
lamp in my office. Bob" To Gray,
'Tie your horse and come in"
Gray followed the cattleman into
his Office and took the chair to which
his host waved him. Lee sat across
the table from him. Young CHS
wick remained standing.
First off. Mr.. jeff Gray, if that's
your name, let's get it clear where
rs