The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1942-03-26


carefully, took a second derringer
from Odd and stood back.
''Now," he said drawlingly, 1--WE
can get along without having to kill
you. Chick, bring Pancho in a little
closer and saddle him for me like a
nice fellow"
Con, with the heap of weapons at
his feet, watched both Chick and his
cousin.
''Not so tight with that back
cinch!" Con ordered Chick. "He
won't buck, but he's not fond of it.
Now!"
He got into the saddle without los
ing the drop and sat for an instant
looking at the pair.
He touched Pancho with the rowel
and rocketed into the darkness out
of sight, kneed the sorrel to the side
and kept at the pounding gallop for
a quarter-mile. Then he slowed to
a trot and went on for what he
guessed to be three miles or more
across arroyo-gashed country, be-
fore camping. -..
He slept lightly, nervously, that
night. He was out of his blanket
before daylight, stiff and uncomfort-
able of mind. But after the sun rose
he felt better. Two days later he
was on the down-slope of the Bravo
Valley. At midday Con ate at
farm, trying his Spanish upon an
ancient woman and a girl of fifteen
or so, learning more words, gather
ing news.
The girl managed with her small
stock of English and Cons increas-
ing Spanish to tell him the sur
prising news of Milan Fant's arrest
by vigilantes, for murder and cattle
thefts. He asked who had been APP
pointed sheriff to succeed Milan
FAINT.
ga very good mani" the girl told
him. ''Nevil Lowe, of the MI,
ranchero who raises horses north of
Tivan."
When he left the pretty and friend
ly Mexican girl dollar richer for
his meal, he looked for a good pool
in the little creek that flowed Tivan-
ward. When he found the place to
suit him, he splashed clean, shaved,
changed into the "town clothes" he
had worn so briefly in Wild Horse
and beat the dust of miles from his
black hat. Pistol and belt went into
an alforja-a saddle pocket. Then
he rode on.
He swung off Pancho before a sa-
loon in midstreet. He went into a
crowded room and to the bar. Most
of the drinkers stared calculatingly
at him, but the bartender served him
without saying anything.
While he fingered his glass, pale,
slender young man with nervous
hands and restless dark eyes stood
talking in a hurried undertone to a
grizzled, cowboyish figure. They
stood two yards down the bar from
Con, with a vacant space between.
Like I been telling you, Hearn,
it's nothing to me; no affair of mine.
Matter of actual fact, it's no bust
ness of Nevil's, neither. I don't
see why you're talking to me.
Why'n't you save that wind for Ro-
bards? It's his grief"
Because I want the whole bunch
of you to agree-not run to Robards
making him go counter to his own
opinion! You and Lowe and Smith
can persuade him"
The other shrugged heavy Shout
ders and Strengthened. He turned
and Con saw the badge on his but
tonless vest. He was deputy sher-
iff, his badge showed, and he came
toward Con without taking his eyes
from him, while Con swallowed his
drink and put the glass back upon
the bar. Then someone at the door
called "Bainl" and the deputy
looked that way, frowned slightly,
and went past. Con trailed him out.
So did the pale man.
A few steps from the door Balm
stood with a small, elderly man in
dark citizens suit and derby hat.
Ahead of Con, the pale young man
went to join the pair. They faced
him.
"Hearn," the derbied man said
slowly, 81 don't want to accuse you
of anything, without being certain,
but the way you're going about this
business of Fant's leaves you open.
You ought to see that it can be
taken as an attempt at BRIBERY"
Nothing of the sort!" the pale
Hearn cried. "I'm simply trying to
make bond for FAINT and Slade. Ten
thousand. There's no reason why
men of Fant's position should stay