The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1947-01-30

NdCuOLIdIu agrees, ana ~ nara
takes the first train north for
lie Pas.
Deliberately he thrust himself
into the center of the room and
laid his hand suddenly on the
shoulder Of the man who had
laughed. you're wanted, Duval"
O'Hara'S tone was like a whip
lash, and the hand that gripped
the half-breed had the feel of
iron.
Duval started to his feet with
a smothered oath, but his dark
face changed and paled as his
eyes came to the level of the SER
geantS. He was a stranger, too,
and there was no show Of partisan
feeling, only a gaping curiosity in
the nearest faces. what d'you
want Of me?" he asked sullenly.
O'Hara made no answer in
words, he kept his grasp on the
man and thrust him quickly be-
tween the crowded tables toward
the door that he had left open
when he entered. He felt, rather
than saw, a growing sympathy
among the men who were his
prisoners equals, if they were not
yet his pals. There were some
murmurs, an oath here and there;
in the farther corner one or two
rose O'Hara was alone and there
was no love here for the Mounted.
But the sergeant got Duval out
side and shut the door behind
them.
That movement loosed his grip
trifle and, on the instant, the
halfbreed was at his throat. They
grappled. stumbled, and rolled
over in the snow. Duval had
been drinking, O'Hara was dead
ly sober. with muscles like steel;
a trained fighter. They battled
over the edge of drift and the
sergeant held his enemy down
and out of sight when someone
opened the door and looked out.
"Gone like a lamb!' they heard
a voice say from the inside of the
cabin, then there was a shout of
coarse laughter as the door snap
ped shut again.
A couple of dogs began to howl,
a fiddle scraped somewhere, and
O'Hara got his knee on the half
breeds breast, slipped a hand
down and disarmed him. you're
making a mistake, Duval," he said
chokingly, for the struggle had
cost him his breath. I'm not
going to run you in, and I'll let
you 20 scot free if you answer me
straight and take orders like a
man."
A red light shone from win
dow on the snow beside them, in
the weird glow of it he could see
. the breeds sullen eyes; but his
grunt was a half way surrender.
"Let me up-you choke me, by
gar!" he gurgled, for O'Hara's
grip was on his windpipe.
The sergeant rose and ordered
him to his feet. "You drove your
team up to the creek below Char
ian's place the day of his death.
No. not word of denial; I know!
If YOU want to keep out of Jail,
get your dogs now. I'll go with
YOU. You and 1 start north to-
night, Duval, and on the way
we'll settle certain matters.
Ready?"
The halfbreed made a quick
movement, but the muzzle of
OHara's forty-five was at his
breast
"Going quietly?" the sergeant
snapped.
Duval assented sullenly. Il wish
you in hell" he growled.
The officer laugned. may
send you there, old man, if you
don't get started mighty quick!
AS he spoke he drove his pris-
oner down to the vacant place be-
low the huts where he knew Du-
val's dogs were tied. Half an hour
later, to the snap of the half
breeds whip and the deep bay
ing of the huskies, the sledge
started north laden with ten days
rations, Duval walking beside his
team and O'Hara close at his
heels. Out through the last stray
Cling streets of the settlement,
leaving the wicked twinkling eyes
of light behind, into a wilder