The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-12-05

II
absentee owner II past.
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''Must be nearly two thousand dol.
lars here" Herriott said.a
Five hundred apiece Jeff's
voice was cold as mountain stream
fresh from glacier. 'sThey pay
fine, don't they, Turley?"
you've got it wrong, JEFF" the
killer croaked hoarsely. 81 wouldn't
do that to boys ! had bunked with.
Don't you know ! wouldn't?"
Come Clean" Morgan snarled.
"Who hired your"
Nobody. That money came from
my folks, like said. Boys, / been
your friend. You wouldn't"
His voice died away in quaver.
YOU'RE bucked OUT" JEFF said
evenly. You're going on q long
journey. Starting right damn now"
The man looked round from one to
another. His glance slid back to
JEFF. Thing to do is talk this
over" Turley began, and stuck.
There was no mercy in these im-
placable eyes.
"You didn't give Buck or Black or
the other boys show for their white
alleys" jeff told him. "You don't
deserve one either. But I'm giving
you one. Bill and Dave will keep out
of this till I'm through. It will be
one Of us at time. Don't keep
me waiting, you"
The guns came out together. The
roar OF them was almost simultane-
Gus. But not quite. jeff was the
quicker by fraction Of a second.
Turley spun round from the shock
OF the bullet, clutched at his heart,
and pitched forward full length.
After a silence, Morgan said,
"That will be all for Mr.. Turley."
what will we do with this blood
money!" asked Herriot.
"Jim Tetlow left a wife and three
children" Brand said. "Take it up
Fisher Creek to her, Bill, when you
head for home. Part of it is the
price Of her husbands death. The
other boys weren't married. It will
come in handy to feed the kids"
jeff thrust the revolver back into
its holster. II noticed some Flying
v c horses down the trail way as
came up. Well rope one, tie the
body on it and send it home with
this carrion on its back"
"Fine!" Morgan ripped out mall
| evolent oath. TELLING them their
killer has come back to report"
Bill Herriott left for Fisher Creek
on his errand to Mrs. Tetlow. The
other two rounded up the bunch of
Flying v G horses, roped one, and
brought it back to the cabin. They
found cross-buck pack saddle in
the barn and cinched it to the ami
NAL. The body was made secure
to the cross-buck by lash-rope in
terlaced about the load. JEFF threw
the diamond hitch expertly so as to
absorb any slackness that might
arise. Meanwhile Morgan penciled
| q note.
They had to drive the packhorse
many miles, to be sure it would
reach its destination.
On Sage Hen Flats they met
cowboy. He rested in the saddle,
his weight on one foot and on the
thigh of the other leg.
Where you headin' for?" he
asked.
"Just maverickin' around" jeff
told him. 'Know anything new?"
"Not a thing. Little while ago
saw McFaddin and Collins"
They crossed the tableland into a
billy country where they gradually
wound down toward Johnson's
Prong. When at last they came sud-
denly on three horsemen at the foot
Of the draw, Brand noticed instantly
that they were strangers. Swiftly he
said to his companion, "Don't start
anything" @ M
The strangers were watching
them, their horses motion1ess.
"Some freight for McFaddin and
Collins" JEFF called. ''Seen emf"
After pause one Of the men said.
eyes"
'Fine. Turn it over to them. Be
seeing you later"
JEFF wheeled and led the way
round the bend, then went to cam
ter.
Someone shouted to them to stop
but they kept going. They heard
the pounding of hoofs behind them.
Just before they disappeared over
another hill q rider showed at the
head of the draw. He shouted again,
then fired, too. hurriedly for accura-i
cy. j
"This way" Morgan called to his
companion, and slid into a hollow be-
tween two rises.
The country was huddle Of hills,
and inside of a few minutes their
pursuers had completely lost them.
'sWho were those fellows?" Nor
gan asked. They're mighty quick
to burn powder. I'll say that"
'sYes. With few questions asked. /"
''Must be warriors of some of the
big outfits
eyes, but not cowboys" Brands
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