The Argosy, December 1905 — page 76: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

D8 left hand, pulled both revolvers from his belt and stowed the cumbersome ma- chines away in his own coat. “Who is in charge of the men you have out in front, Kalispel? ” inquired Dexter, after commanding his enemy to face about and resume his chair. ‘ Lester,” was the sullen reply. “Then,” went on Dexter, “ you will elevate your voice and tell Lester and the rest to move off up the Bad-Ax.” “T won't!” ground out Kalispel. “You can shoot me first.” “See here, Kalispel,” said Dexter quietly, “don’t tempt me too far. It was your intention, if I stood for my rights in coming here, to shoot me down; and you had so framed your de- sion as to make it appear as though you had a shadow of excuse for so doing. J don’t want your worthless life, but now that I am in this game [ll either have it or you'll do as I tell you.” 7 Hardened wretch that he was, Kalis- pel cowered under the fierce look di- rected at him. He read life or death in the steel-gray eyes and fear struck him with momentary panic. Forthwith he shouted the required words to Lester. The cowboys gathered from this that the Honorable Jim Dexter had been beaten at his own game and _ they departed up the Bad-Ax with yells of derision. Kalispel’s face was like a thunder- cloud, and he eased his overburdened spirit with much profanity. “There'll be a sequel to this, Dex- ter,” he foamed. “If you don’t shoot me now, while you’ve got the chance, yowll never live to do it.” “Yow re too tragic,” laughed Dexter. “JT hope that both of us will live to a ripe old age and that, incidentally, you will come to see the error of your way. Now the gold, Kalispel.” Kalispel plucked the bag savagely from the drawer and flung it on the table. . “You have the receipted bill and I have the money,” remarked Dexter. “T guess that will be all.” With the buckskin bag in the breast of his coat, he backed to the door, cov- ering his retreat with the navy six. Turning quickly, he hfted the bar, THE ARGOSY. flung open the door and ran to his horse. By the time he was in the saddle, Kalispel was outside, roaring frantically for his men. The men came in due course, but before they could arrive Jim Dexter was well out of the way. Nevertheless, pursuit was begun, the vengeful Kalispel careering along in the van. ——————————— CHAPTER V. ROY. ALTHOUGH he had galloped briskly off along the Siwash trail, Jim Dexter did not return to the town. He knew he would be followed, and perhaps by horses fleet enough to overtake him. Therefore he turned from the trail in the scantily wooded country north of the Bad-Ax and doubled back to the creek, being passed by a detachment of the O. D. K. outfit in full ery. Worn with the day’s events, and expe- riencing some pain from his injured shoulder, Dexter passed the night in a deserted cabin in the hills, continuing on in the morning and reaching his own ranch by a roundabout course. He dropped from his saddle at the boarding- house, and while the Chinese cook was scurrying around to get him a breakfast one of the cowboys came up to lead away his horse. “Roy has got back to camp, Jim,” said the cowboy. “He has?” exclaimed Dexter, pleas- ure and surprise mingling in his voice. “When did he come?” “Early this mornin’. He’s down at your lodge this mim’it, ketchin’ his forty winks as though he hadn’t had *em fora month.” “Let the boy rest,” said Jim. see him after I get my breakfast.” “How did you come out with old Kalispel, Jim?” Dexter displayed the buckskin bag and jingled its contents. “He let me have the six hundred, Davis, and I receipted the bill.” “Glory!” muttered Davis, with bulg- ing eyes. ‘“ Did he meet ye in Siwash ? ” “No; I had to call at the ranch.” “Was the sheriff along?” “TI (C@ AUG DOO (C@