The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1941-09-25

Two-three times l thought it
might be Turley," Brand said. "But
it didn't look reasonable. I reckon
nothing could be lower than for a
human to murder his friends for
money"
What will we do with this blood
money!" asked Herriot.
Jim Tetlow left 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. ''I 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"
"Finel" 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 c 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 a 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
a note, printing it in capital letters
to make Identification of the writ
ing impossible.
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?"
mot thing. Little while ago
saw McFaddin and Collins
They crossed the tableland into
hilly 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"
The strangers were watching
them, their horses motionless.
Some freight for McFaddin and
Collins" jeff called. "Seen 'em?"
After a 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 a can
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 a rider showed at the
head of the draw. He shouted again,
then fired, too hurriedly for accura-
cy.
"This way" Morgan called to his
companion, and slid into hollow be-
tween two rises.
The country was huddle of hills,
and inside of a few minutes their
pursuers had completely lost them.
"Who were those fellows?" Nor
gan asked. They're mighty quick
to burn powder. I'll say that
eyes. With few questions asked"
"Must be warriors of some of the
big outfits"
"Yes, but not cowboys" Brands
eyes were shining with excitement.
Part of this army the Republican
was tellin' about"
Morgan pulled up his mount.
Hell! 1t might be that-away. We'd
better find out for sure, and if it's
so get word to the boys"
"Just what I'm thinking, Dave.
Let's scout around and find out how
big a bunch of them there are"
They talked it over together, then
made a wide circle to strike John
sons Prong from the pines above.