The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-08-20

his right hand, knocking back the
brim Ct his hat. Black hair fell
across his forehead and sunlight gilt
tered on the quick film of sweat
creeping through his skin. He said
as parting shot, You're pretty
tough on old men and women and
babies. If I'm in hell when you
boys come along, you can bet your
last dollar I'll put the blackball on
both of you."
"Herendeen," said McGeen, in
begging voice, 'sjust ride along for
a minute"
Herendeen took his tongue-lash-
ing with a smart, unmoved COOL
ness. He spoke to Ketchell. BE
out OF here by daylight" and turned
his horse away, calling up the reluc-
tant McGeen. "Come here, you
damned fool" The two crossed the
meadow, McGeen staring behind
him with dry, thin look of regret.
Ketchell moved along the wall of
his shanty to keep them in view.
When they passed into timber he
stepped back to shield his body, only
his head showing. He saw McGeen
wheel and lift his gun; a bullet
ripped the corner of the cabin, three
feet above Ketchell's head, and an
other shot dropped Ketchell's horse.
ketchell had to step away from the
cabin to clear his own gun for an
answer. He threw a pair of bullets
at McGeen and watched the latter
fade back, compelled by Heren-
deems yelling authority.
Ketchell squatted by the shelter
of the wall, listening to their horses
fade on the trail. He stared at his
own pony, dead in the sunshine, and
spoke to himself, kind of close,
Vance, kind of close" His arms
shook little bit.
AS soon as Charley Hillhouse en-
tered the Potholes he halted the
party to explain what was in his
mind.
Nov we'll take up this trail quiet
ly for echoes run a long way
through this timber and Hack has
got mighty sharp ears. There's
couple places I used to camp with
him and it is likely he'll be at one
of them, if he's here at all. If any
of you boys see him before I do,
draw right down on him. Do not
fire. Just draw down. ! want to
talk to him.
Gurd Grant threw Charley a very
odd glance. "You two were pretty
close friends once"
"Close as they come, guess" as
sented Charley.
Gurd said, 'I don't get it at ALL"
Hillhouse shrugged his shoulders.
Gravity pulled his face together; his
expression was matter-of-fact, SEEM
ing to hold away imagination, and
his GOODNESS was something that nev-
er left him. As they went on single
file, Gurd Grant thought about his
own part in this affair with a grow
ing unease. He had joined Hillhouse
much in the cheerful spirit man
goes out on hunting party; now,
for the first time on this trip, he
began to understand what they were
hunting and what might come
when they found Hack. 1t gave him
a distinct chill when he reasoned
it out this way. 1t put different
light on the affair.
Charley" he said, 81 don't want
any rough stuff"
Charley rode in front of him, not
turning and not answering. Gurd
Grant got the impression of will
in Hillhouse as hard as rock. More
and more disturbed, he had his fer
vent wish that he were out of the
whole thing. BY disposition sunny
and agreeable man, he had never in
his life lifted gun at anybody /;
and though he had joined this group
because of anger toward Morgan
an anger he still nursed-he could
not, now that he thought of it seri-
ously, see himself in the role of
Hack Breathitt's captor. Squirming
around the saddle, he was on the
edge of dropping out of the party,
when Charley's voice drifted dryly
back at him.
"You don't have to go on, Mr..
Grant"
The tone of it affronted Gurd's
pride. He said stiff1y: "Just do your
own thinking, Charley, and I'll do
mine" An instant later he wished
he hadn't said it. Gloomy and ex-
tremely troubled, he fell silent.
ITO BE CONTINUED}