The midland journal., 1942-01-09

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cupped his mouth to fling jeer at
them.
"We'll have you out of there pres
entity" he threatened.
The others sent up roar of APP
proval.
"A mob is sure crazy thing, with
no more sense than cattle in stam-
pede," Larry said. ''Those birds
down there are all het up till they
haven't a lick of judgment"
Sheriff Hart came upstairs with
bad news. 81 wish to heaven there
was q way to smuggle you two out
of here" he said. "Wade Scott got
to town half an hour ago with word
that Ellison's gunner got Sib Lee
and Dave Morgan. Afraid that
means trouble"
'There are ideas afoot," suggest
ed Terry evenly, the infection Of
question in the words.
"Yes."
$50 where do we go from here?"
Larry asked ironically.
81 have two-three men downstairs.
You have your own guns. They
can't have you without fight"
''We knew that already" Terry
said dryly. when do the fireworks
begin?"
Though no friend Of the Diamond
Reverse B. the sheriff found it diff
cult to tell these men that the hour
Of doom was at hand. He hesitated.
Larry laughed hardly, without
mirth. Like Terry, he was tough
and hardy realist, not afraid to face
situation which had to be met.
"Spit it out, Nate. When do the
guns 60 boom?"
"Soon. I'd say in ten or fifteen
minutes"
"Who are the trusty men you have
downstairs?" Terry asked, note
of irony in his voice. m
He knew that the sheriff was a
game man. Nate would do his best
within reason to save his prisoners,
but it would not be possible for him
to prevent determined mob from
breaking into such a ramshackle
building.
Hart said that the men were his
two deputies and volunteer, Hor-
ace Garvey.
At mention of the editors name
Larry said: "I'll be dog-goned! The
little rooster must have sand in his
craw."
Lets have him up here" Cal
houn said. II want to talk with
him." u
"Wfat do you reckon ever got it
into Garvey's head that he is a
fighting MANI" Larry asked his
partner after the sheriff had gone
to fetch the editor.
81 did him a service once, and he
is trying to square the account.
Probably he is scared stiff. We
don't want him here, Larry. He'll
only get killed, and it won't do US
any good. I'm going to send him
away"
Garvey was white to the lips. He
carried Colts AS, at right angle
to his body, as if he was afraid of
it. But it was quite clear that he
had nerved himself to stand by his
friend.
Cheerfully Terry greeted him.
s..Hello, oldtimer. hear you've en-
listed for the duration of the war.
The editor did not try a smile.
This was serious business with him.
II felt ought to come," he said.
"Bully for you, Horace. I'll re-
member this. But we don't need
you here and we sure do need you
outside. What want you to do is
find the fellows who brought jeff
Brand to town. They know what
happened in the fight at Lee Hart's
place. Take them to the leaders of
these crazy men and make them
tell what they know" He gave the
names of the men who had guarded
the wagon that brought the wounded
man to town. 4Ape sa
Garvey looked at him suspicious
ly. You're trying to get rid of me
because you think won't be of any
use," he ventured.
"I'm sending you out to make a
stab for our lives, and you've got
to hurry to do any good. Listen"
On the light night breeze was lift
ed the yell of those ready for the
kill.
The editor made up his mind in
stantly. ''I'll do what I can, Cal
houn. I hope to God ! can help you"
.sSure you can," Larry encour-
aged. Hop to it, old man. And
you might tell these birds out there
to order eight or ten coffins. Well
be behind cover, and we won't be
| fooling the way we were this after
noon against the Ellison crowd. We
aim to take a few of these anx-
ious lads with u.s."
Garvey hurried away and was let
| out Of the front door of the jail. He
| was at once seized by those outside