The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1942-05-28
CHAPTER XIII

con went quickly 10 lne Stll1 uS-
ure, stopped and unbuckled Irby's
belt, then stopped to jerk off his
boots. Caramba came grinning to
help. Between them, with Con begin
ming to laugh, they got him into his
saddle, pantsless, facing south,
as Caramba put it chokingly, and
barefooted.
Package of trash for Gloomy Me-
geath," the printed legend ran, with
the Broken Wheel brand for sigma
ture.
He went abruptly over to explore
Irby's aforjas. One of the leather
saddle pockets held pint Of whisky,
a can of matches, some bacon and
a blackened length of telegraph wire
with short stick for handle-the rus
tiers flexible "iron" for altering
brands. In the other alforja was an
old shirt, some coffee, cartridges,
and a piece of dirty, greasy cloth at
which Con stared frowningly before
he held it up for Caramba to see.
''Miral Looky! Now, where'd the
rat get this motto he's been using
for a gun-rag? God Bless Our Home
From the looks of the corners,
he jerked it off some wall. Bad
luck, Monk! Like tearing up Bible
for cigarette papers" -.
They started the horse along the
trail to the boulders. 1t went steadi-
Iy, as if knowing the way. Then
they had a drink apiece, and an
other, and smoked quietly.
The sun was dropping behind the
western ridge and all the land was
clear m light that had tinge OF
blackness in it. 1t was very still
Wonder when Topeka and the
girl win come out" Caramba
drawled as they swung into their
saddles. mot likely they'll catch
up with US, them in blackboard
even if we have killed plenty time
awful dead"
They went at the walk along the
dim ranch road. Caramba hummec
and sang snatches of dozen songs
Con looked to right and left, con
tent to go slowly and watch the
range. Abruptly, both turned to lis
ten.
'.Por dos! Seems your guess wa:
poor" Con said, as behind then
hoofbeats pounded. "The old man
Sayi If he's really coming, he's roll
ing up the dust!"
The hoofbeats now blended witt
the dry whirring of wheels and thun
dered closer. And as they made ou
the mass of horses and blackboard
Topeka Tensions voice lifted, call
ing them.
whats the hurry" Con an
gwered, jumping Pancho into lop
and leaning to the blackboard as
came up to him.
'Megeathl" Tension told hin
harshly. Hes up to something
We left town after you-all. Just be
fore shutdown Janet looked back. Me
Reath and a bunch is coming he'll
bent. Can't be too much behind. 7"
Mechanically, Con looked at Jar
cts face, a white blur in the dark
He wondered if she understood whs
Topeka was making so plain to him
that Gloomy Megeath was on he
trail, not Tensions. He put out
hand and it touched her arm.
thought came He grinned one-sic
edIy and wondered how she woul
receive it. Before he could speal
Caramba voice it from beside Ter
iSon:
Leave the girl herel You go o
with the blackboard, lickety-brindle
Wei pat her off safe to one side
She'll be out of sight. Well waw
with Gloomy and his outfit spell
Even If they stampede around u.
they'll naturally figure that she's .
with you. They'll boil right afte
YOU. When you hit the house, sen
us out some Of your best firesnor
ers."
Out Janet began gaspingl,
"But surely"
ats the best wayi" Con assure
her. face almost against her
Janet stood and stepped into Il
<tirrup that Con cleared for he
fhen swung up to sit behind hin
arms about his waist. Tension lashe
the team off, and Caramba, facir
the rear, called that he could he;
the Megeath men.
Con rode to the side, toward Il
long arroyo which the road para
Jeled.
"You'H be all right" he told he
~You can sit down and take it ca.
m the arroyo. They'll never que
you're here"
He jumped to scramble up agai
The shooting was steady rattl