Glacier County chief., 1939-06-30

he u now" Sierra shifted im hto sad
die. ''Tillson pay you right well
for this job. Cowanf"
The man looked up sullenly from
black-bearded face, but said moth
ing.
Brock swung to his horse. ''We'd
better hit that fire, Slim, before 1t
gets away from u.s."
Fright, pardner. Sierra jerked a
thumb toward the one afoot. Bring
him along. If he don't run fast
enough. drag him."
They climbed the ridge, with
Brock leading his captive on rope.
The fire was in brush, yet had not
had time to eat far. and they cir
cled it at once, Breck chopping a
line with his ak, Sierra shoveling
earth onto the flames. In half an
hour It could be left to burn itself
out.
Returning to where he had left Kit
and the man, both tied to a tree,
Breck mounted Immediately, then
gave his prisoner over to Sierra.
Hes all yours, Slim. Which way
do you 60 from here? I'm dropping
down to Temple where I can call
Cook"
'Me, I'll head straight north" ST.
ezra answered. "Just you sleep light
from now on"
That was his casual farewell.
II was past one O'Clock In the
morning when Brock reached Tenn
pies COW camp. He rode through q
meadow with cattle lying in dark
blobs on slivery, dew-laden grass,
then came to the corrals, and con-
tinued beyond them, purposely
avoiding the two cabins as he ap-
preached the forest service tele-
phone. So far he had aroused no
sign Of life. He hoped to put in his
call without waking Temple and
Louise.
But as he cranked four rings and
stood waiting, one cabin door opened
and the old man peered out. Temple
had not stopped to dress. but was
prepared with a rifle across the
bend in his arm. Brock turned away
as headquarters answered.
Hello, Cook" he said, and let
the sound of his voice give identity.
Nor in the brief report did he tell
his location. IAN OK" he offered
tersely. "Slim is bringing back my
mail"
The line became silent. Then:
GOOD enough. III call you later"
Breck closed the iron box. Tom
Temple had drawn on his boots and
breeches and stood a short distance
from his cabin. Breck motioned
with one arm, saying as the man
approached, "Sorry to get you up.
Those bells do sound loud at night"
mo matter" Temple asserted, II
heard you before you rang. Thought
maybe someone was looking over
my horses" He pointed his rifle to-
ward the corral. SCOT some good
stuff in there tonight; JIG sent 'em
over for the rodeo."
Temple shivered. "Gettin' cold
out here. VIII you put up, Ranger?"
Thanks, but I've got to 60 on"
Breck swung into his saddle, and
then, riding away from camp, cast
a swift glance backward.
Curtains at one window Of the
other cabin moved slightly. It
might have been the wind.
In the first light of dawn he came
again into the bowl of Rock House,
for he had pushed Kit rapidly. cal
culating that Sierra would reach
headquarters about the same time
he returned to his own station. Cook
would then call him at once.
His deduction was right. The tele-
phone rang shortly after he had UNI
saddled.
I'm coming over" was the
whole OF Cooks message.
That meant four hours in which
Breck could sleep; and he suddenly
felt the need Of it. A few minutes
later, when he lay fully dressed
upon his bunk, Sierra Sims part
ing words came back. and he
dropped into the shadows with the