Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-06-13
CHAPTER XIV

The tribute implied by the re-gath-
ering Of the wild bunch leaders was
one Of the most extraordinary things
that had ever happened in Bill Rop-
er's life. There was not much to
their story. Driven out Of Texas ON
the eve Of Bill Roper's victory, for
q while they had gone their separate
ways. But gradually they had drift
ed together again, IN the Indian ma
tons. at Dodge, in the northern COW
camps. With Cleve Tanner broken
IN Texas. and the roots cut from
under Ben Thorpe's organization BY
the loss Of his breeding grounds, the
outlaw riders found themselves un-
willing to leave their work unfn-
tshed. So At last they had come
looking for Roper-and had found
him.
The first thing was to get them out
of there. He named as rendezvous q
lonely shanty on Fork Creek.
Roper himself was the last to ride
out Of Miles City. Seasoned night
riders though these men might be.
with names now famous the length
OF the trail, most Of them were
youngsters still. No one of them
could be trusted not to get a skinful
Of liquor. and 60 cunning for LASH
ans men on his own hook.
Roper was relieved, therefore,
upon riding into the Fork Greek rem
dezvous in the dreary February twi-
Light, to find his Texas men already
waiting for him there. They were
eating fresh beef, but not their own,
as Roper came into the little cab
IN, stamping the snow of his boots.
Lee Harnish looked sheepish
''Say, I forgot something. l got 4
letter for you here"
Roper took the worn envelope and
stood turning it over in his hands.
The date showed it to be three weeks
old-no great age, everything con-
sidered. But what took hold Of him,
% that for full minute he dared
not break the seal, was that the
letter was from Jody Gordon.
Roper ripped open the envelope.
The whole note covered no more
than half page; but as he folded
it and put it into pocket, his hands
were shaking in a way that would
have cost him his life If he had been
walking into guniight then. There
was a long silence.
With 4 visible effort, Roper
pulled himself together. Briefly he
told them what his new wild bunch
had done.
But We haven't even scratched
the surface" he finished. Unless
We hit Walk Lasham quick and hard,
Thorpe viii get his balance again,
and reach his roots back into Texas;
and sn the work we did down there
viii 60 for nothing"
Ne" Tex Long said, 81 aim to
swing with you, and try to finish up
what We begun. But, way ! see it,
The layout up here is terrible bad.
for our style Of work"
There isn't any profit in the way
I figured" Roper admitted. eve
been taking . pasear up along the
Canadian border; figure it's an
cosy drive. II you criminals are
willing to come On and take one
more crack At Thorpe and Lash
an"
There's 10 ons beyond the Dor
dr. that's needing any stock" Dry
Camp Pierce said gloomily.
Dry Camp" BIN Roper said,
Tn thinking a tie tribes"
Ghefe Was . moments silence.
s0faasine that canada's Inn a var
paink" Ten Long said; how ths
1uvn~
Tive tn1bsd 70 Irea Dog"
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