The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1942-04-23

eve like to be ready for company
So when we sighted you-all, cached
myself up there. If you'd wiggled g
finger at Dandy, the four of you
would have walked up in hell!"
What we need is about eight
nursemaids - two apiece!" Con
drawled. Somebody is going to
steal the clothes off of our backs and
the horses from under us, in this
wicked world"
Hell! I guessed he was up there"
bud said quickly. "Well, let's get
going" he grunted, when Con
laughed.
By early afternoon they were out
on a great fiat where mesquite and
CROSSWORD studded the long grass.
A cut wire lay behind them and they
began to gather horses and move
them slowly forward. At last they
halted in a cottonwood NOTE in what
Catfish said was Nevil loves small
holding pasture.
House is just across the ridge"
bud announced. Catfish, you and
Con stick here to keep an eye on
our horses. Rest of us'n round up
the ranch. You say the Boy Sher-
ifs just working two boys, huh,
Dandy? Reckon we can take care
Of 'em. May not be anybody there"
He led the diminished band across
the ridge and Catfish and Con
smoked and waited. When an hour
dragged past, Con looked at the sun.
"T'm going up to see what's hap
pened," he told the patient Catfish.
You're enough to watch the horses,
in this pasture"
Catfish began to object. bud had
said-Con mounted calmly and rode
over the ridge. The gangs horses
stood outside Of neat, white plas-
tered house set in a grassy yard
shaded by big trees and bordered
with flowers. Con rode down the
slope and into the yard, to swing
off and let the reins trail.
WE'LL" Dud cried, when Con
walked into large, clean kitchen.
Thought there was something said,
Con-Comanche, about you sticking
with the horses :"
while you-an sit easy and COB
BILE everything in sight, huh?" Con
countered, grinning. 81 left Catfish.
He's a nice doggy-fool enough to
sit up and bark and be glad if
he's tipped bone"
They were gathered comfortably
at big table covered with dishes.
But evidently their meal had been
finished; two quart bottles and turn-
blers were in the foreground and
bud and the big, dark Dandy were
drinking. Con made himself sand
witch of steak and loaf bread and
looked around. In a corner, very
quiet and strained Of expression,
two young cowboys sat with backs
stiffly against the wall.
While he ate, Con loafed curiously
about, looking at the tidy place. He
could see the hand of Janet Lowe,
he thought. He went outside and
around to look at the front. One
door opening off the living room was
open. Through it he glimpsed a
bed-and two slender feet, oddly
bundled about the ankles
He went noiselessly across to look
in. Janet Lowe was tied hand and
foot with saddle strings. Her white,
horror-stricken face was turned to-
ward him; dark eyes were widened,
glazed. He drew long breath and
slipped into the room, hand going
mechanically into a pocket.
whats all this about?" he
breathed in her ear. I'll didn't
know what bud was up to"
"He-he's going to take me with
himl He hates Nevil. He's afraid
of him. He says this will fix New
il"
Con stood and looked desperately
about. The easement window in
the thick wall was open and outside
he could hear the horses stamping
lazily. He went swiftly back to the
bed, opening his stock knife. The
whangs about Janet's wrists and an
kles dropped away from the sharp
edge. He put an arm around her
and helped her up. She began to
work her hands, move her feet,
staring at him
Come onl" he whispered.
There's good horse out there for
you. You know the road to town.
Ride it'll"
He kept his arm around her Shout
ders as they crossed the room. Then
he went easily through the window.