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

getheT that morning. Con was con-
tent to let them argue. The discus
zion of his three companions be-
came a downright quarrel. Con
watched them curiously and decided
that, as soon as they reached Tivan,
he would ride alone. At noon, in
little crossroads tienda kept by a
squat Mexican, they ate and drank
the storekeeper's hot whisky. Mel
Their of the Raniers went beyond
second cupful. Con stopped willing
~ after his first. But Lee Welsh
continued to drink while Con and
young vaquero who spoke English
after fashion explored the Spanish
tongue.
go among our people and forget
your English for a month";" he COM
plimented Con, land you will have
more of the Spanish than many of
our gente use easily. You ride to
Tiyan? But your companeros seem
of two minds about that, as about
other things"
IAN right, then!" Lee Welsh said
angrily. Don't go. Me and the
6d'n make pair"
The vaquero looked suddenly at
Con and his manner changed; stiff
ened a little.
whats a buscadero?" Con asked
IN low voice.
1.-The word is Spanish, after fash
ion. But the thing-why, that may
be Spanish or Anglo. In the Terri
tory and Mexico and some other
placeS-it means one who is hunted.
And one is not hunted except for
reason Now, I ride!"
He whirled and went out fast. No
body spoke for a while. Then Welsh
turned to Con.
Lets go!" he said.
They went out to where the horses
dozed.
For time, during the afternoon,
Welsh amused himself by singing.
But toward shutdown his mood
changed to grimness, and when they
sprawled around their fire in the
darkness he faced the cousins, but
talked at Odd.
well split in the morning." he
said harshly. "You can head for
hell, If you want to-that'n be the
devils hard luck. But me and Con
can make team"
Count me OUT" Con stopped him.
eff I had known that you-an are
buscaderos, I wouldn't have sided
you. No hard feelings! I'm just
saying that it's not common sense
for a plain cowboy to hang around
long riders. So we will split tomor-
row morning. I'll ride by myself"
me mind that, for right now,"
Lee Welsh thrust in. what want
out of you two is enough to make
UP my even split-and my third of
Comanche's cut. Him leaving no
heirs, like the lawyers say, reckon
US three fit the hole. And it was
me that put him on his horse after
that posse shot him, and held him on
It, too, till he cashed his chips.
Maybe that makes me entitled to
all his cut. But I amt hoggish.
III take third"
You'll take just what you got"
Chick Rainier snarled.
Con, a little to the side of them,
had moved his hand with snail-slow-
ness ON his lap until it curled around
the butt of his Colt. Chick and Odd
were cycling Welsh with hawklike
steadinesS.
Then Odds hand seemed to ex-
plode In f1ame-twice. With the
heavy roar of the palmed derringer,
Welsh sagged, rather than fell, for
ward and sideways.
AS if jerked by spring, auto
matically Con had snapped out his
pistol and steadied it upon his knee,
Ieveled toward the two. Chick was
about to draw a Colt when Cons
thin, harsh snarl checked him.
both of you! Reach up and take
your ears. This is a little strange
to me. I'm likely to shoot ragged;
kill you instead of Gripping you.
Hup! Hup! This is cooked"
They regarded him uncertainty.
But when he moved the pistol slight
ly, they raised their hands smoothly.
you think for a minute you're
cutting stick, knowing all you found
out about us?" Chick snarled. Con
came quickly, smoothly, to his
feet. Stand up! But keep that daily
on your ears"
Their faces were like devils
masks in the freight. He was
strangely calm, now. But he did
not make the mistake Of careless
ness.
"Odd! Put down one hand and
unbuckle your belt. Let it drop.
Chickl You just initiate a statue.
Prontol It would be a good job for
the country if I got Jared into kill
ing both of you! Better think of
that"
Stnfiy, Odd unbuckled his belt with
one hand. 1t thudded with his pistol
into the dirt. Then Chick was dis
armed. Con went over them both