The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-12-22

was quick, hasty, hardly allowing
time for his Colts to clear leath-
er. The shot caught Sayres in
the side and pitched him into the
stranger. The impact sprawled
them both on the flood. Then
Dawes rage broke, as he emptied
his guns into Sayres and the
stranger.
A feeling of sickness and wear
mess and disgust enveloped Dave
as he let his gun sag. Sayres lay
sprawled over the upset chair,
face down, his guns fallen out of
his lifeless grip. The stranger
lay peacefully on his back.
He shucked cartridges into his
guns as he strobe to the paddock
ed door.
"Mary!" he called.
There was a sort of muffled
cry for an answer and Dave shot
the lock off. He knew the two
men after the horses would have
heard the shots and would prob
ably be running back now.
Once in the dark room, he made
of a figure sitting tensely on the
cot.
'Dave!' she said.
She was in his arms sobbing
before he could recover from his
surprise.
Dorsey. Mary isn't here?"
"No-n-no. I don't think So"
"Who has the keys to the leg
irons?"
II don't know their names, but
it's the boss"
He ran over to Sayres, rolled
the body over and fumbled
through the pockets His hands
paused and he listened, hearing
the pounding of running feet.
Slowly, his hand left Sayres and
settled to his gun-butt, his eyes
narrowing. The running ceased,
and man stepped through the
door hesitantly, gun already
drawn.
Dave shot just once more and
the man pitched forward on his
face. Suddenly, a window shat
t41al o-l Dox,o 1o11ohod
The second outlaw had chosen
wisely. He was forted up behild
"a rock sixty yards in front Of
the house.
Dave found the keys on Sayres
and returned to Dorsey, who
white and trembling, had wit
messed through the open door the
duel with the outlaw.
eve kill coyotes because they
kill our CATTLE" Dave said soft
ly, "And we have to kill these
hombres, or they'll kill us.
Il know"
mo, you don't" Dave said, "but
you will when you understand.
It's just bloody and cruel
do you feel that way about
it too?" Dorsey asked wondering
ly.,
swered.
"More because I'm the one
that's got to kill and kill"
"Then this isn't the end?" she
asked.
Dave shook his head grimly.
The outlaw in front of the cabin
was still to be accounted for.
Can we get away?"
Dave nodded. He stepped to
the back door of the addition and
shot the lock off.
"Step through here and wait
for me outside"
"What are you going to do?"
"a dirty job," Dave said slow
ly, "but a decent one, I reckon, at
that. I'm goin' to fire the place"
When she had stepped outside
Dave went into the main room
and scattered lamp oil on the
floor and blankets. Then he
touched it off and stepped out
side.
That hOmbre out front has on
ly got six-gun," Dave said. "He
can't hit us-I don't think he can
even Sc us. Make a run for the
barn and I'll follow you"
''Look out! Dave"
Dave dropped on his face as a
shot blazed from the corner OF
stomach, rolling on his side, his
free arm whipping out his gun
Only the edge of a hatbrim and
a gun showed, but Dave emptied
his gun at them as he watched
the other gun explode. He felt 8
hot soaring pain in his arm and
then the shooting ceased.
Flattening himself against the
! wall, he waited. No more shot:
came and he made his way eau.
tiously to the corner. He swung
out, gun ready, and saw the out
law kneeling. The man had dice
like a tired child.
Dave shuddered and looked