Argosy, Vol. 118, No. 4 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

THE TRAIL the rules that had governed him until now. Hamlin might be goaded or frightened into - using the rifle, but Lawler had no inten- tion of goading or frightening him. In fact, being aware of, the reason for Hamlin’s belligerence, he had no intention of acquainting the man with his knowledge of what had happened the night before. At least, not at this instant. Lawler grinned; the grin was not forced, for Hamlin’s action in barricading himself had its humorous side. “TI reckon you don’t know me, Hamlin?” he said. “JT know you mighty well, Lawler,” snapped Hamlin; “ you heard me mention your name.” “Then you’ve got a new way of greeting your friends, eh—with a rifle. Well, put it down and open the door. There’s some things I want to say to you.”’ ; “What about?” asked Hamlin, suspi- ciousty. Overwhelming every other thought in his mind was the conviction that Davies and Harris had apprised Lawler of what had happened the night before, and that Lawler had come to capture him, single- handed. “ About Ruth.” The wild gleam in Hamlin’s eyes began ‘to dull. However, he was still suspicious. “You seen any of your men this mornin’ —Davies or Harris?” he asked. “ Davies and Harris went to town last night. I reckon they didn’t get back yet. What’s Davies and Harris got to do with me visiting you?” ‘‘ Nothin’.”” There was relief in Hamlin’s voice... The muzzle of the rifle wavered; the weapon was withdrawn and the slide closed. Then the door opened, and Hamlin appeared in it, a six-shooter in hand. “TfP-you’re foolin’ me, Kane Lawler, 1’il sure bore you a plenty!” he threatened. ‘“¢ Shucks.”’ Lawler advanced to the door, ignoring the heavy pistol, which was shoved close to his body as he stepped into the cabin, Hamlin retreating before him. “Hamlin, you’re losing whatever sense you had,” said Lawler as he halted near the center of the big room. There were three rooms, their doors opening from the one in which Lawler and Hamiin stood. HORDE. 485 _ “ Meanin’ what?” demanded Hamlin, nervously fingering the six-shooter. It was clear that Hamlin was impressed with the repressed force that he could see in Lawler; with the slumbering energy that Lawler’s lithe, sinewy body suggested; with the man’s complete lack of fear, nd with the cold confidence that swam in his steady eyes. Hamlin did not know at fe minute whether or not he had meant to shoot Law- ler. He believed that if Lawler had told him he had come to take him for blotting out the Circle L brand in the arroyo the preceding night he would have killed Lawler. But he was not sure. Something about Lawler made the thought of shooting him seem ridiculous. It would take a lot of provocation for awy man to kill Lawler, for something about Lawler seemed to hint that it couldn’t be done. ‘“ Meaning that you are old paca to - know that you can’t keep on rustling my cattle without getting in trouble.” “Ah!” exclaimed Hamlin, his breath hissing through his teeth as he sucked it in with a gasp. ‘“ You sneaked on me, damn you! ) He threw the muzzle of the pistol up, cs body stiffening, his eyes glittering with the malienance that had been in them when he had been looking out at Lawler through the aperture in the door. “You know about that. deal, an’ you ve come fer me. You tried to fool me, eh— tellin’ me that you didn’t see Davies an’ Harris. Well, damn your hide, you ain’t goin’ to take me; Ill blow you to hell first!” Lawler laughed. His eyes were steady and unblinking as he watched Hamlin; they bored into Hamlin’s with a compelling intensity that brought a conviction of futil- — ity into the man’s soul. They were cold eyes—cold as icebergs, Hamlin thought as he watched them; but they seemed to flame— also, to flame with a fire that was cold as the ice:in them. The terrible power of them, and the promise of volcanic action behind them; the awful confidence that shone in them; their magnetism, holding Hamlin’s against his JOO > a (C(O) SS (C(O)