Evening star., 1941-08-03


changed in five years. He had the same Dig
wiry figure, narrow face and eyes like gray
agates. But Slat had lost that cheerful don't
give-a-damn look that first attracted Bill.
Slat Horgan used to seem like an eagle. Now
he made Bill think of a rattesnake
His eyes darted back and forth between Bill
and the gap in the stone pile where his other
hand held the magazine rifle. Keep your
hands up he ordered. Climb over and let
me see what you got. Sheriff send you?"
Nope. Tried to stop me. gave him song
and dance about bringing you back with me
and slipped out. | knew he wouldn't dare
shoot me for that or run after me with you
spatterin' bullets around"
Huh" Slat said He might have shot you
at that if he knew you helped rob old man
Blake. Hates has stewed over that five years."
Slat ran hand over Bills clothes, the other
hand holding pistol against Bills chest.
He found nothing until he came to the deep
hip pockets of Bill s overalls He drew out two
flat packages
What the devil are these" Bill chuckled.
Fellow can't travel on an empty stomach.
You been on the run since last night without
many square meals, figured It's close to
evening again, when you'll have to get back
on the hoof and the Lord knows how far to
chow. So figured ham sandwiches would
help. l put pasteboard box covers on so l
wouldn't make mess in my pocket"
Olaf gave him a searching hok. He opened
one package suspiciously. His eyes cleaned
at the sight of thick slices of bread and meat
He sampled crumb,
You wouldn't try dopin' me?" he asked,
glowering.
Hell no. Bill snorted. holding Stats gaze
without finching IN eat half to prove it,
he added.
Slat waved him back You know, Bill"
he concluded, Il begin to make sense of this
You're yellow. You don't want to have me
caught. You're afraid I'd spill to the sheriff
how you helped rob old Blake
Il sure believe you would, Slat," Bill
admitted.
You're damn right. You didn't have the
CUTS to 60 on with me before but you re ready
to help me get away now so won't squeal"
He took tentative bite of the sandwich.
Tastes all right. But if begin to feel queer
you'll go out like light"
Fair enough" Bill agreed ''How about ,
my taking my hands down before they drop
off,"
''Okay Get over there against the cliff
where you won't figure on trying to jump me-
Slat wolfed down the sandwich.
''Speakin' of yellow streaks," Bill said. Il
figure you plan to sneak up through the
crevice back of the cave after dark. Remem-
Der. we used to scare snake out of there once :
in while. You was always more scared than
the snake" Slat's s face twitd1ed.'
Shut up! Tryin to give mesthe jitters?"
Just something to think about" said Bill.
He let that sink in.
You're rightl Slat exclaimed Never
sure snake amt poison. So tonight you'll 70
ahead with my fash and watch for snakes.
You always liked to play with the damned
things"
"Okay," said Bill
Stat started to put Sans second package
into his pocket, then thought better of it.
Wouldn't feel silly if got shot before l
ate it?'
He opened the package.
Then Stats eyes popped With smothered
yell he leaped up and backward. Before he
could catch his balance, Bill covered the
distance between them with one jump. His
fist caught Slat on the chin and stretched him
On his hack