The Argosy, January 1906 — page 100: what you’re looking at

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

282 showed them the wound—a_ clean, straight fracture six mches in length. “It’s a mystery what sort of an in- strument made that,” said he. “It couldn’t have been a gun-stock, or a branding iron, or a club, or a stone. I suppose it will all come out same day.” “You may be sure of that,’ said Orah. Then, to the cattleman, as she laid a trembling hand on his arm: “let us go, Jim.” 7 A faintness had shaken her, but. she quickly revived in the cool air of the street. “Could we go to the place where the —the accident occurred this after- noon?” she asked. “ Not till to-morrow morning,” he re- pled. “ Do you think it will be neces- sary for you to go there, Orah? ” “I must,” she said. After leaving her at Mrs. Hutton’s he made his way to the tavern, passing two of the QO. D. K. cowboys, who gave him a surly look as he went on. A surprise yas in store for him at the tavern office, for no less a personage than Shorty Burke was there, awaiting his coming. Burke was somewhat demoralized in appearance. His right eye was swollen and blackened, there was a ragged bruise on his left cheek, and one sleeve of his flannel shirt was torn from wrist to shoulder. But Shorty Burke was aglow in spite of his dilapidation, and swooped down on his employers hand with eager warmth. “Davis was in town this mornin’, Jim,” he jubilated, “and sailed into the ranch with the news that came by telegraft. It was sure good the way you got out of it.” “What's the matter with you, Burke?” asked Jim. The cowboy wagged his head humor- ously and passed one hand over his in- jured eye and bruised cheek. “ Met up with one of the O. D. K. out- fit, ridin’ into town,” said he. “ He passed.a remark that didn’t set well, an’ so we clinched.” “ What was the remark?” “Aint a-goin’ to tell ye, Jim. It reflected on your standin’ in the com- munity, and before I got done with the Kalispel puncher, you can bet he was THE ARGOSY. sorry he chirped. I don’t look anythin’ extry, but, say, you ought to see ham / ”— and Burke gloated under his breath. “What brings you~ to Siwash, Burke?” queried Dexter. “ Haverstraw wanted me to come and tell ye about Old Blazes.” “ What about Old Blazes? ” “ He was seen in the Whiplash Hills. Haverstraw reckons he’ll round up the cattle in them hills to-morrow and chase the big maverick out. He didn’t know but you’d lke to be around and see us do the trick.” “Tl be there,” said Dexter. ‘ Don’t forget what I said, Burke: Five. hun- dred to the man who settles for Old Blazes.” | “Every puncher at the, ranch has got his eye on that bunch of money,” said Burke with a wink. “ I’m layin’ plenty hard to corral it myself.” After a few minutes’ chat the cowboy took his departure. Dexter ate his sup- per, smoked and gossiped with the judge for an hour or two, and then went off to bed. CHAPTER XI. GATHERING CLOUDS. BEFORE sunrise Jim Dexter was in front of Mrs. Hutton’s boarding-house, astride the bronco, sent from Lamark and leading a mount with a side-saddle. The early start was designed to bring him to the Whiplash Hills in time to take part in the work Haverstraw had planned for that day. The hills lay between the Bad-Ax and the Clearwater, far to the south and west ef Dexter’s ranch and close to the limits ef his range—not more than an hour’s ride from the spot on the Bad-Ax trail where Nate Kalispel had lost his life. Despite the early hour, Orah was m readiness and waiting. Barely had Dex- ter come to a stop in front of the house when she issued from it and ran down the steps and out of the gate. Her face was wan and there was a janguid look in her blue eyes. Evidently the night had brought her little rest. Dexter sprang from the saddle to assist her to mount. “Do you still feel that you must go, Orah?” he asked. comicbook (€(0)