The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1942-03-19

having his first drink. The bartend-
er began a yell of protest, but Con
was across the floor with the gun
hammers back under his thumbs be-
fore anyone could interfere. He slid
outside and put his back to the wall.
Ellis had seen him instantly and
with flashing jerk drawn his pistol
and leveled it. But the grin froze
on his face as he saw the shotgun.
Con drew long breath and made
himself relax against the wall.
cat your age" he said carefully,
"and l really don't know how you
ever got to be that age, either, your
hearings naturally poor. You evil
IDENTIFY thought said I'd sell Pan
cho. But what / said was that /
don't want to sell him. So put the
little pepper away and saddle him
again."
Better put that down, sonny"
Ellis told him harshly. "It might
go off and hurt somebody. Put it
down, or"
you're right" Con agreed. cit
might go off and hurt somebody
right where you're standing. In fact,
if you're thinking of doing anything
with that hogleg, you'd better do it.
Make up your mind. Pm ramrod-
ding this hurrah and I say you've
got five seconds. One Two
Three Four . :"
He saw Ellis shoulder stiffen
slightly, then relax. The Colt sagged
while he watched tensely. From the
corner of his eye he saw the packed
doorway. But he watched while FL
lis reholstered the pistol and took
step toward him. Then he gestured
with the shotgun.
"Your hearing!" he said irritably.
81 said: Saddle him! And do it
right. Even if let my tender heart
get the best of me and just shoot
you in the legs, you won't like it!
For this cannon will probably carry
high :"
'Now, listen, sonny"
"You listen! It's your hearing
that's bad. Get that saddle back on,
or"
From the barroom the voice of
the bartender was suddenly lifted,
yelling Indignantly about his shot
gun. Con only gestured toward the
door with the muzzles and there
was the sound of sudden scram-
bling and oaths of those trampled.
Ellis, furiously red, leaned to the
fallen saddle. Con directed him crit
ically as he put on the blanket and
settled the saddle upon it. When the
cinchas were tight and Ellis would
have stopped. Con checked him re-
provingly.
''Why, it's all dusty! Wipe it nice
and clean-with your hat If you
can't find anything else. If you want
to argue, just think how much use
you'll have for that hat, if you
don't!"
Ellis glared but when Con moved
the shotgun in a small, menacing
droop and stiffened, he fished a
bandanna from his pocket and
cleaned the saddle after a fashion.
"Fine!" Con complimented him.
Now, let's 60 back inside. want a
drink. Looking at all the pain that
job was to you made me thirsty"
Ellis walked stiffly inside. The
drinkers gave back to let the two
enter. Con checked his prisoner at
the near end of the bar and HIM
self stood so that his back had solid
mud bricks protecting it. He trained
the shotgun muzzles upon the floor
but did not uncock the hammers.
Somebody is going to buy a
drink" he informed the scowling
bartender. Maybe the old gentle
man of the bad eyes and ears. Moo,
can see by the south side of him
that he won't. So I will, for the
house. You take something special
Barkeep. I owe you for the loan Of
this equalizer"
"You won't buy this round!" the
hulking red-faced man beyond Ellis
grunted. He looked at Ellis anG
burst into a roar of amusement
"Young fellow! I like your style.
90 by Lee Welsh and I'm strange
to Fronteras as you are. These
fine, outstanding cowboys with me
they're strangers, too. They go by
Rainier, Chick and Odd. They're
cousins and you can tell 'em apart
by Chick, he shoots his pistol left
handed and Odd, he shoots his right
handed. They're awful good shots
and so am I, but not quite so gooc
as Chick and Odd. Set 'em up, Bar
keepl"