The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-11-05
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footprints, and again, in spite Of
casting about in a wide circle, he
was unable to discover which way
the horses had gone.
The sun was we'll down in the
west when Dave rode back to-
wards Hooker's cabin, rockies:
now. He was almost through
the scrub when he refined in alb
ruptly. He could see the cabi1
again, and this time a horse wa:
standing saddled in front of it.
Listening, Dave coud hear foot.
steps in the cabin. Someone was
walking to and fro inside it.
Dave didn't dismount this time
He edged the black horse for
ward it's hoofs making no sound
on the soft mesa. Now he was
Immediately behind the house
He could hear the footsteps in
side distinctly. Now he got out
of his saddle and went quietly a.
round the shack. AS he reached
the front angle he saw Sheriff
Coggswell come out of the door
and move toward his horse.
Dave leaped forward. His at
titude was the crouch Of beast
of prey, his voice a rumbling
snar1:
"Hold 'em high, sheriff, or I'll
blow yore head off"
Taken utterly by surprise,
Coggswell upt up his hands.
"Well, you got the drop on me
all right, Bruce" admitted Coggs-
we'll. "But KILN me won't dc
you no good"
Dave stepped forward and re-
lieved Coggswell of his gun. 'You
can put yore hands down now
he said. "But yo're goin' to talk
quick and straight, if yuh want
to get back to Mescal without a
nasty mess on yore shoulders
What have yuh done with Lois?"
Bruce" answered Coggswell,
II amt set eyes on Miss Lois
since she rode into town the
mornin' of Hooker's murder, see
in I was knocked cold tryin' to
purtect you"
The declining sun shone straight
into Dawes eyes, showing the
haggard lines of his face. He
stared into Coggswelrs trying to
read the truth.
"You swear that's true?" Dave
cried suddenly.
"I'm, talkin' straight" answered
the sheriff. II rode up here with
the idea of campin' out and start
in on hunt for yore trail in the
mornin'. If someone took Miss
Lois away when you was gone
it wasn't me. Why, don't know
where you two been hidin' up
She amt hurt bad, is she?"
''She was gettin' we'll. We was
goin'. to start out tomorrow
And suddenly the mask of hate
/ vanished from Dawes face. I'm
believin' yuh, sheriff" he said
''But if it wasn't you who took
her away, who was it,"
Sheriff Coggswell was silent
Dave met the keen scrutiny Of his
eyes, then suddenly handed him
back his gun and thrust his own
into it's holster.
"You got the drop on me now
Coggswell," he said. I'm trustin
you. You can take me into Mes
cal if yuh want to. But I Away:
felt yuh knew I didn't kill ole
Hooker. And I'm askin' yuh tt
trust my word same as I trusted
yores, and ride with me to fine
the skunk that took her away
After that, I'll be ready to place
myself in yore hands"
Coggswell holstered is own
gun in turn and gave Dave hi!
hand.
THAT goes with me-" he sale
gravely. "Yo're right, Bruce. I'm
purity sure yuh didn't kill ole
Hooker. I been workin' on line
of my own, and I think I'm or
the trail. I'm acceptin' then
terms of yores. And in a few
minutes think I'll have some
evidence. It's in that cabin
Nope, not Miss Lois, I just truss
ed up and gagged a hombre who
was actin suspicious, after havln
suspicious, after having to xii.
his horse"
He led the way into the cabin
Trussed and gagged very effec'
lively upon the floor was the
Mexican, Pedro, whom Currar
had sent back to the Cross-Bar.
"Ain't had time to question
him yet" the sheriff explained
''He was sorta stunned when his
horse dropped under him. Now
we'll see.'
He pulled the gag out of the
mouth of the helpless man. Pc
dro, who recognized Dave, glarec
| - -o.:-5 eoor o+ him onH a