The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1939-03-16

backbone. That was five years ago
and we didn't think much of it at
that time. I guess the big fellows
that own Middle Fork ranch had
something to do with the wrong sur
vey. Anyhow, years have been dry
lately and up there is grazing strip
mile wide and several long that
belongs in my permit"
why hasn't the fence been
moved?" Breck asked.
Jackson gave him wry look.
You're sure new in the govern
ment, Startin' three years ago I've
tried to have it done. He'll / reck-
on my paper amt got through the
first Office yet"
But | think Cook"
Cooks all right" Jackson broke
in. "Ain't his fault. He's got to
wait for the supervisor, and the su-
per has to wait for someone else,
and God knows when any action will
be done. Meanwhile we're short of
grass. Well, what do you say? Amt
three years long enough to waltz"
Breck nodded.
We've got three hundred head on
a shelf this side of Black Mountain"
Jackson continued Were ridin'
| up there tonight, and come dawn
we'll have that bunch pushed
through the fence and scattered on
top where one man or two can hold
them this season." He glanced
around the room at his men before
finishing. Maybe the Middle Fork
ers know what's comm off. If they
try to stop us there's goin' to be
some shootin', that's ALL
Breck's decision was made by
the time Jackson ended his argu-
ment. He knew government meth
DDS. In another five years, with
luck, the drift fence would be or
dered moved and the permittees
| given their full measure of range
land. Meanwhile cattlemen on gov
ernment meadows were losing mon-
ey.
He felt the dozen faces turned to-
ward him, and recognized the
drama of this moment. The whole
thing appeared as a stage; the men
with dark, shadowed faces, singly
or in groups. Their guns. The dim
lamplight. The closed door and
blackness outside the windows. Yet,
looking once more into ]. G. Jack
sons determined eyes, he knew this
was drama of real life, and death
il need be.
His next movement was no ges-
ture of the stage. He drew out his
gun, put it on the table, then pushed
out a seat and sat down. Without
a word a man at his elbow offered
cleaning rags and oil.
| well now, by Godl" said old JG.
Boys, let's get alongi"
| West from Bear Trap meadow
rose the high, rounded top of Black
Mountain, and up its wooded slope,
shortly after midnight, rode line
of men who went with no words
spoken between them. Breck found
himself in a position near the lead,
with j. G.. Jackson's broad back
next ahead. They climbed steadily,
passed the first slope and came onto
more level sheh-like part of the
mountain. Here a distant sound
came into the pad of their horses,
increasing, until at the moment of
emerging from pines onto an open
space, Breck caught the restless
tramp of hoofs and low grooming of
men.
| Jackson halted the line and rode
on. Two figures met him before he
reached the herd and after a mo-
ment he came back.
"All right so far" he offered, as
his cowhands gathered around him.
Nov then, we've got to cut the
wire first. No use cripplin' up
any of these critters if we can help
it. Some of us viii have to stay
here and help jeff and Wade push
the bunch across. Johnny, you for
one, trot over there"
! Instantly a young voice burst out
in protest. "Aw hell, JIG, let me go
UP in front"
"Time enough for fightin'," Jack
son told him. Get along now. Tell
jeff to start right behind us and
keep comm. Wen have the fence
down before the bunch gets there"
He named three others to accompa-
ny the boy. They rode over to join
the men already holding the herd.
The rest of the party continued up
the mountain.
Breck glanced over a dim mass
| of backs in passing. The cattle
were quiet enough now, but once
get them on the move they would
be hard to stop. That was Jackson's
plan. Cut the fence. Start the stam-
| pede upward. Spread his animals
on the disputed grass lands before
the Middle Fork outfit could turn
them back.
Looks like we amt been discov-
cred yet," the man observed, riding
| close.
| They went on in silence. Present
ly Breck put a question that had
been growing in his mind. "Will
| you hold your men back while ] 60
UP to the fence?"
"For what?"
ITO do the job of cutting. I'm a
government man. I'll take the re-
| sponsibility and answer for what
happens tonight"
Jackson's oath came across the
dark between them. Damned if
that amt white of you, Rangerl