Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1942-07-09
CHAPTER v


agitated shape in the shadows; he
was swearing softly to himself, full
of anger. He listened to the strength
ening rush of the yonder horses.
That will be Herendeen and Lige
White and Gurd Grant. 1t has come
to hell of pass when man
can't ride these hills as he pleases."
Clay Morgan said, rough and sud
den: eff they're stepping on your
feet, take a shot at them"
Hack let out heavy, irritated
sigh. mot yet, Clay. I'm tryin' to
be peaceable."
They said no more, for the three
ranchers had reached the yard.
They were stopped, they were keep
ing to their saddles, and letting the
silence run; they could see Hack
and Morgan on the porch, touched
by the outshining lamp light from
the living room of the house.
The three left their saddles, SLOW
ly coming into the light. Morgan
had his quick sight of their faces, of
Gurd's worried expression and of
Lige Whites embarrassed dislike at
what he was now doing, and of Ben
Herendeen's bony, flat triumph.
"It's what l expected" Herendeen
said.
you're lucky l didn't knock you
out of that saddle" grumbled Hack
Breathitt.
eff you had nothin' to worry
1Lo
Hack Breathitt was shrewd man
and he had no trust in Ben Heren-
deem. He said, halfway between out
rage and amusement: wasn't rum
MIN, Ben. l was just bein' careful.
just kept rememberin Ollie
Jacks"
Gurd Grant said: "We were COM
ing along the trail down by Dell
Lake and saw you and Pete Bor-
;ders riding together. Pete hit off
one way and you went another. All
we wanted to know was why you
camped with him last night. But
you made run of it."
CLAY" said Herendeen, "you pro-
pose to shelter every brush-jumper
that comes along?"
Hacks friend of NINE" stated
Morgan, land he's on my land I'll
stand behind him.
Herendeen said, to Breathitt, eff
ever see you around my country,
Hack, I'll open up on you" He
swung on his heels and left the
porch.
From his place by the doorway,
Morgan noticed Gurd Grant swing
from the porch end with strange
jerk of his shoulders and cross at
once to his horse. He mounted
quickly, waiting for Lige White and
Herendeen. Darkness covered this
yard but Morgan saw Gurd's white
and vague and staring face in the
heavy shadows. A moment later all
three of them trotted from the yard.
AS they left, Lige White said
something to Grant. Gurd Grant
never heard it. In stepping to the
end Of the porch he had noticed his
sisters horse in the farther dark
ness and at that moment all his
long wonder at her relations with
Morgan froze into solid certainty
and left him, in that one passing
interval, no longer Morgan's friend.
Hack said: "Well, I'll drift along"
"Put up for the night, Hack
No." said Hack. "But Pm obliged
for the help" He looked down at
the floor, involved in his own un-
certain thoughts. "It is the last
time III run from those fellows,
Clay. / wanted no shootin'. Now, l
don't give a damn"
"Watch your step. Don't let Ben
push you into the wrong STALL"
Hack drew long breath. 80
far" he said, 81 amt done .ning
to be ashamed of, Clay. l want
you to know that. Well, so-long."
He was soon gone, galloping south
ward down the narrow valley. Nor
gan waited until the sound of all
these travellers faded into the night
before going to the living room.
Catherine came from the hallway
toward him.
"Clay-did he see my horse?''
81 took It back of the house,
Relief came to her, though there
was shading of worry that
wouldn't leave. "Gurd's a little
touchy about me. wouldn't want
:" She didn't finish that sentence.
She showed him stronger color
ing, and covered it up with quick
question. 81 heard all the talk. Are
you sure you're right, Clay?"
He said: "Do what you can to
keep Gurd out of it. Ben's going to
play hell with lot of people. If it
comes to a showdown I'll have to
60 against him.
She murmured, Il know" and the
color of her eyes turned darker,
turned softer. She saw the length
of his jaw and the tension around
his lips and the smoky excitement