The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1939-01-12
EIGHTEENTH INsTALLMENr

addressed Laredo and he recog-
nlzed 1t as that of Petersen, one
OF the nesters. do you mean
Rourke, over on the D Bar T..
Laredo2"
That's who 1 mean," Laredo
said softly.
why, you" Petersen began.
Cut it, Petersen" Laredo said
sharply. Hes mine"
The killers eyes slid wildly
over the line of hostile faces as
he cringed alone on the sidewalk.
Then he streaked for his guns,
terror written on his face.
Laredo whipped Colt that had
been wedged at his back around
his side in a tight, swift arc that
lanced out its five shots in one
roaring pencil or orange.
The killers knees buckled
slowl and he pitched forward on
his face.
Laredo spat noisily and looked
around the crowd, his gun trail
ing wisp of acrid smoke up in
to the night. "Any one else want
to buy in on this fight?"
'Ain't nobody but me goin' to
buy in on it." a fiat, uncompro-
missing voice announced Through
the circle the sheriff showed his
way. He looked at the figure
sprawled in a pool on the side
walk.
Anybody know him?" he
asked instead.
Names 'Chinch' somethin'," a
man in the crowd said. Rode
for Sayres."
The sheriff nodded. "A coupla
you man take him across to
Murph's.'
The hardware store was also
the undertaking parlor. Two men
volunteered. The sheriff turned
to Laredo.
"Come on over to the office. I
got to talk to you"
Petersen, the hester, and Chuck
fell in behind Laredo and the
sheriff. They went over to the
sheriff's Office.
Inside, they found the lamp
lit. Rosy and Dave were seated
watching the door.
well, TIL be damned" the
sheriff said ominouSly. Il got
Crowell in Jail and I amt said
why we really want him. Now
you tell me-"
- Briefly and buntly Rosy told
them what he had overheard
crowell say to Winters at the D
Bar T. Dave had heard it all on
the way to town. Then Dave told
them about his capture by Sayres
and what he had heard Sayres
say about the boss. He finished
with the fight with the outlaws
and his escape with Dorsey Ham
mond. Laredo explained his
killing of Chinch and the reasons.
"What l can't figure out in the
whole thing" Rosy said, pres
emily, els what it's all about.
Why do they want the ranch and
the miner"
81 reckon I can tell you" La
redo said.
"You tell 'em, Chuck"
Cold" Chuck said. 'Plenty."
And then Laredo told him of
.. his discovery of Winters work
!, ing the gold, and how he had
= t brought Chuck up to make posi-
'You mean," Dave said slowly,
when Laredo had finished, 'that
Ted Winters was tryin' to get
the place out from under his
own wife?"
"It looks that way" Laredo
said softly.
There's just one thing left to
do, now" Rosy announced quiet
ly.
eve got to turn CroWell loose
and let him lead us to the boss. ="
Rosy gave instructions. La
redo was to go get Hammond to
act as if he were ignorant of the
man behind his daughters kid
naping when and if CroWell came
to try and buy the mine. Then
LAREDO was to 60 back to the no.
* tel, and keep a check on CroWell
if he went there. Rosy gave pet
+ ersen minute description of
Crowell, then gave the hester
+ some money with the injunction
( to watch the station and if Crow
ell boarded the night train to fol-
low him and wire back for help.
The sheriff was to 60 let Crow
p ell out Jail with apologies. Dave
. and Rosy were going to follow
Crowell and not let him out OF
their sight.
The San Angel County Court
house wa sa sorry affair of board