Evening star., 1941-07-06

PN THE days before the killing used to see
some mighty queer things in our house.
d Pa ran his own ranch, of course Still and
all, he worked with Bud Oakleys crowd. too.
Being only nine, didn't know just what it
was they did, or how they made the money,
but knew it had lot to do with the way
they swan cows across the Rio Crande after
dark.
This particular night - it was rainy and
cold, like it had been all week - Pa and four
of the other men were playing poker in Mas
paror. Funny how we still called it Mas
paror, though she'd been buried more than
two years The men played poker most every
night, after | went to bed Pa thought
was asleep Only, there was knothole in
the floor, and used to stretch out on my
stomach and peep down. That's how came
to be watching when Bud Oakley ran in.
The rain dripped from his sombrero. and
he was muddy all over, like hed been riding
hard. He was plumb out of breath. He was
a big hombre, with a fine chest and bright
little eyes; blacker and narrower now they
went from one face to another around the
table Il just plugged Jim Wyler,' he said,
his voice hoarse. Hes dead
Nobody spoke. Pa. taller and SKINNER
than the rest, put down his cards and slowly
pushed himself out of his chair The others
got up too. In the lamplight they all looked
kind of white Me- felt like something with
claws had got hold of my chest.
What for?" Pa asked. you out of your
head, Bud?"
Il had to kill him. Bud Oakley threw his
sombrero away, so that l could see the wet
black hair hanging over his forehead, and he
came to lean on the table. Met up with him
on the range He said for me to come to his
place Hankered to palaver When we got
there the old fool started talkin like judge.
Claimed he knew | was drivin' cattle over
the river. Said only his feelin's for my Pa
was keepin' him from goin' straight to the
sheriff, but if another cow was sent across,
he'd forget friendship an 60 tell the sheriff
what he knew. figured if he ever talked,
every man of us would 60 to Jail. An they're
handing out mighty long sentences for rustlin'
these days! So if just walked out, we'd be
through. Couldn't run any more cows. An
lI1cIc WdS dIlu Htohe. l>oDOoy VI
seen us go to his place. figured there was
only one thing to do pulled iron and drilled
him through the head
The men were quiet while. Then Pa. his
voice real low, asked, Didn't Jim Wylers
son know you were there?'
mo. He wasn't around"
You doggone fool! Jim's sons been sick
the past couple days. He's in the back room
over there. stretched out in bed. Doc Farnol
told me!'' Then Pa added. He must've heard
your voice! Maybe he saw you ride away.
Sick or not by this time young Dan WHler's
prob1y got the sheriff poundin' after you"
Peeping down through the knothole,
could see Bud Oakley was scared. He pushed
back his wet hair. He looked around at the
door, quick like maybe he expected to see
somebody there Then he turned back to Pa.
Listen" he said, talking fast, Il been
playin poker here all night, savvy?'
Pa said, With Dan Wyler as witness
against you?"
He's only one witness! got five witnesses
in you hombres to swear | never left here
since suppertime!'
Pa said in a queer, tight way, Il warned
YOU, Bud, I'd never stand for killins!'
You're goin' to this time" said Bud. IF