The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-08-25

utes to Single Shot"
He stopped by their seat and
looked judiciously at Rand. II been
up to the cab talkin' with the boys.
They tell me you pulled 'em out of
tight spot"
"I'm goin' into Walpais on this
run. I'll tell the super. There may
be some money in it for you"
Rand flushed. 'They can keep
it."
But Hoagy was persistent. 'Look
here. He'll want to do somethin'
for you. There was three mine pay
rolls in that baggage-car safe"
Rand thought minute. "All right.
If he wants to do somethin', have
him write the warden at Yuma and
tell him."
Warden, Yuma?" Hoagy said
slowly. $50.
I'm out on parole" Rand told
him.
Turner'S nod confirmed him.
Quinn shook his head slowly, look
ing from one to the other.
IF gamblers word in tight
place will do you any good, let me
know, I'll be at the Free Throw in
Single Shot"
well be neighbors then," Turn
er said. my dads got spread
near there"
The Sierra Blancos must have
looked at the town of Single Shot
with a degree of tolerance, since
this irregular and shabby cowtown
had been allowed to remain at the
mouth of its deep valley for more
than forty years.
South O fthe town lay the foot
hills sloping in three stippled swells
to the semi-arid plains many miles
below.
Looming up as mountain in its
own right, to the west of the town
and a little to the south lay Goa
hula Butt, a spur of Old Cartridge.
To the east, more mountains, but
low, over which the train had lab
ored this night to coast triumphant
ly and noisely in the station.
Dave was glued to the window,
Rosy behind him.
See her?" Rosy asked. -
dawes answer was long in COM
ing. "No Reckon Mary didn't get
NV letter after all
They were two the last out of the
car and as they descended to the
station platform, Dawes eyes roved
the small crowd for sign of his
sister. She was not there. She, too,
', then, had been ashamed to be seen
in public with a jail-bird brother.
"Ain't you Dave Turner"
Dave turned. Confronting him
was fat, shapeless man, looking
like two hundred-odd pounds OF
soiled clothes topped by a greasy
Stetson. He wore ragged, saber
mustaches below a thick-nostriled
nose and his eyes were unblinking,
red-rimmed. Dave recognized him
at once.
"Sure. I'm Dave Turner. You're
! Sheriff Low-still," Dave said dry
ly.
''Uh-huh. Still. Come on this
train?"
"Yeah," Dave drawled.
"Lookin' for your sister,"
"Uh-huh. I figgered she'd meet
me heer."
"She won't"
Dawes eyes narrowed a little.
mo? She knew was comm"
II reckon she knew. Everybody
does"
"Soledad."
"Soledad? I asked her to meet
me here"
".Ain't Soledad as close to your
spread as Single Shot?" The sheriff
countered.
"Sure. What of it,"
"Nothin'. If ] was you, I'd 60 to
Soledad and meet her there"
Dave was quiet a long moment.
"You haven't got the CUTS to say it
right out, have you, Hank?"
A small group of loafers had col
lected.
IT reckon have. Get out" the
sheriff said fatty.
"Why?" Dave asked bluntly.
SCOT enough trouble without let
tin more of it walk right into
town."
'Im out" Dave said slowly. 81
didn't escape from prison. I was
pardoned.
81 took my whippin'. Eight years
of it, for KILN a horse-thief that
deserved KILN. I'm goin' anywhere
I please"
81 reckon not. Not if you aim
to come here"
A new voice broke into the con-
versation, Quinn's.
"These two men fought off a train