Evening star., 1940-05-11
CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER XIX.
They talked, as casually as pos
sible, to conceal their anxiety as to
what was happening above them
Just outside Rabbit Ear Gap. Two
or three times Chips suggested that
he was going up to look for Jelks.
Silcott vetoed this. He did not
want any more Of his friends In
the danger zone.
"Rufe knows what he Is about"
Jim said. Hell keep under cover
same as an Apache would. I reck-
on no news Is good news. If you
went over you would only double
the danger Of discovery, Chips.
That is, if there is any danger. My
idea Is that their horses are throw
ing up dirt miles from here"
He wished that he felt more sure
Of that. What stuck in his mind
was that dropped rifle. Somebody
was going to stick around and try
to recover 1t to shield the owners
identity. Maybe all the attackers
were still in the Gap, waiting for
the darkness now descending over
the hills. If 1t were not for . his
bad leg he knew he would be up
there with Rufe now.
Two rifle shots sounded, with
scarce a second between them.
Chips was on his feet instantly.
I'm on my way" he said, and
was gone.
There was another intolerable
wait.
Some one has been shot," the
cowboy said. Maybe Rufe. I reck-
on I'll drift up, too"
A few minutes later Jim heard
the murmur of approaching voices.
Rufe and the cowboys came out
Of the darkness.
Everything all right?" Silcott
asked.
Rufe Gets Gun.
Rufe enjoying the excitement of
danger met and now gone.
Zine as silk. You were right
about another guy wanting the
rifle. But I got there first and
scared him off. Here's the gun.
Let's 60, boys"
Chips gave Jim his horse and rode
behind Jelks. They rode mile out
Of the way to pick up another
mount at the Berry ranch. While
they were waiting for the horse to
be caught and saddled Rufe fired
a question at his friend. Red, are
you able to travel in the saddle or
not? We can get a blackboard to
take you in tomorrow. Don't ride
just to show how tough you are"
II can take it all right" Jim said
Rufe looked at his friend suspi-
ciously. Might be better to leave
you here tonight and send the doc
out to you.' he suggested.
"I'll go in with you," Silcott said
curtly. not admitting how much
his leg were hurting. TITS only
four miles"
'All right" Jelks shrugged his
shoulders. He knew there was no
use arguing If Red had made up
his mind.
Ma Russell threw out one Of her
transients to make a place for Sill
colt while he was convalescing.
The long ride to town had not done
him any good, but like most cowmen
he had built UP hardy constitu-
ton and soon he was hobbling about
the house. Within two weeks was
back at the Office of the Sentinel.
The Court of Public Opinion
found the Hat T guilty of inefi-
cheney. Twice it had made gesture,
with all the odds in its favor, and
twice it had failed. This gay light
hearted brown man had mocked
the effort Of the big ranch to de-
stroy him. His flashing reckless
grin was still working. A suspicion
began to seep down into the con-
sciousness of the Powder Horn
country that Russell Mosely had
been overestimated. or else Red
Silcott had not been judged at
full weight.
In fgront of the court house one
sunny morning Jim and Rufe met
the owner and the foreman of the
Hat T ranch coming out of the
BUILDING. Taken by surprise, Prem
tiss stopped, scowl on his ugly
fiat face.
Jim Joshes Mosely.
Jim smiled blandly. "A news
item for the Sentinel. Blanco is
honored by a visit from Messrs.
Mosely and Prentiss." He reverted
to reminiscence. Il have met re-
Gently several Hat T riders, but I
don't think either of you gents
were present. Some of your boys
were over on the lineup hunting,
and we celebrated the Fourth of
July together a little prematurely.
Since then we ran into some at
Rabbit Ear Gap, looking for big
game, I reckon. Did they get any,
Russ?"
Anger in his eyes, Mosely an
swered curtly, "You talk too much,
Silcott."
"By the way, JUDI" Rufe said, IT
have a rifle down at the corral
which belongs to one of the Hat T
boys. Whoever owns 1t dropped
the gun in a hurry at Rabbit Ear
Gap. If 1t is yours, Jud, you can
have it any time by coming down
to my place and claiming It,"
II don't drop guns" Jud snarled,
and poured out as addenda a
stream of curses.
Zine Rufe answered cheerfully.
"I didn't think 1t was yours. The
fellow that owns it has a game
arm. From the gossip I hear that
description fits Roam Judson."
Prentiss almost foamed at the
mouth. He ripped out more staccato
oaths.
Silenced by Mosely.
"I1l do any talking that's neces-
sary," Mosely told his employe
harshly, and strode on his way.
The Sentinel made no reference
to the visit Of the Hat T men to
town, but there had been q story
with q sting in 1t about the fight
at Rabbit Ear Gap. Anne had also
ran an editorial headed Hired
Aecoeciv,e o. x,I,ic1, cha oJ,a x<,nd