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+Project Gutenberg's The Coming of the Law, by Charles Alden Seltzer
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Coming of the Law
+
+Author: Charles Alden Seltzer
+
+Illustrator: R. W. Amick
+
+Release Date: March 5, 2010 [EBook #31512]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COMING OF THE LAW ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "What have you done with Hollis?" demanded Norton,
+thrusting his big six-shooter against Ten Spot's stomach. _Page 165_
+_The Coming of the Law_]
+
+
+
+
+THE COMING OF THE LAW
+
+BY CHARLES ALDEN SELTZER
+
+Author of "The Range Riders," "The Two-Gun Man,"
+"The Triangle Cupid," etc.
+
+With Frontispiece in Colors by R. W. AMICK
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+
+Publishers--New York
+
+
+
+
+Copyright 1912, By
+
+OUTING PUBLISHING COMPANY
+
+All Rights Reserved
+
+First Printing, August, 1912
+
+Second Printing, September, 1912
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+       I. The Arrival of the Man                                 9
+      II. The Rule of Cattle                                    25
+     III. Norton Makes a Discovery                              42
+      IV. At the Circle Bar                                     53
+       V. The Girl of Dry Bottom                                73
+      VI. Hollis Renews an Acquaintance                         87
+     VII. The "Kicker" Becomes an Institution                  107
+    VIII. Concerning the "Six O'Clock"                         119
+      IX. How a Bad Man Left the "Kicker" Office               127
+       X. The Lost Trail                                       151
+      XI. Picking Up the Trail                                 161
+     XII. After the Storm                                      169
+    XIII. "Woman--She Don't Need No Tooter"                    177
+     XIV. The Coalition                                        187
+      XV. To Support the Law                                   198
+     XVI. The Bearer of Good News                              209
+    XVII. The Rustler                                          224
+   XVIII. The Tenth Day                                        238
+     XIX. How a Rustler Escaped                                246
+      XX. The "Kicker's" Candidate                             257
+     XXI. Dunlavey Plays a Card                                267
+    XXII. Proof of Gratitude                                   280
+   XXIII. Ten Spot Uses His Eyes                               289
+    XXIV. Campaign Guns                                        294
+     XXV. Handling the Law                                     314
+    XXVI. Autumn and the Gods                                  327
+   XXVII. The Sear and Yellow Days                             336
+  XXVIII. In Defiance of the Law                               342
+    XXIX. The Arm of the Law                                   354
+     XXX. Forming a Friendship                                 364
+    XXXI. Afterward                                            375
+
+
+
+
+THE COMING OF THE LAW
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE ARRIVAL OF THE MAN
+
+
+If the passengers on the west-bound train that pulled up at the little
+red wooden station at Dry Bottom at the close of a June day in 18--,
+were interested in the young man bearing the two suit cases, they gave
+no evidence of it. True, they noted his departure; with casual glances
+they watched him as he stepped down upon the platform; but immediately
+they forgot his athletic figure and his regular featured, serious face
+as their thoughts returned to the heat, the dust, and the monotony of
+travel.
+
+There was the usual bustle and activity which always follows the arrival
+of a train. A mail bag was dumped out of the mail car, another thrown
+in; some express packages were unceremoniously deposited near the door
+of the station by the agent; the conductor ran to the telegrapher's
+window to receive an order; ran back, signaling as he ran; the engine
+bell clanged, the drivers clanked, the wheels ground, the passengers
+sighed, and the train departed on its way.
+
+The young man who had alighted stood motionless for a moment, listening
+to the clatter of the wheels over the rail-joints, watching the smoke
+from the engine-stack befoul the clear blue of the sky. Then he smiled
+grimly, threw a rapid glance toward a group of loungers standing at a
+corner of the station, and walked over to where the station agent stood
+examining some newly arrived packages.
+
+"Do you mind directing me to the courthouse?" said the young man.
+
+The agent looked up, turned, and ran a measuring, speculative eye over
+the new arrival. He noted the Eastern cut of the young man's clothing
+and beneath the dust of travel the clear, healthy white skin of his
+face. "Stranger here?" observed the agent, with a slight, humorous
+narrowing of the eyes.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"No, I don't mind," resumed the agent, answering the young man's
+question. "You won't have any trouble findin' the courthouse. There's
+only one street in this town an' the courthouse is down to the other end
+of it--you couldn't miss it if you tried." He grinned with some
+amusement at the young man's back as the latter with a cordial "thank
+you," returned to his suit cases, gripped them firmly by the handles,
+and strode down the wooden platform toward the street, ignoring the
+group of loungers at the corner of the station.
+
+"'Nother tenderfoot," remarked one of the loungers as the young man
+passed out of hearing; "they're runnin' this country plum to hell!"
+
+The young man strode slowly down the board sidewalk that paralleled the
+buildings on one side of the street, mentally taking in the dimensions
+of the town. It was not an inviting picture. Many buildings of various
+descriptions snuggled the wide, vacant space which the station agent had
+termed a "street." Most of the buildings were unpainted and crude,
+composed of rough boards running perpendicularly, with narrow battens
+over the joints. There were several brick buildings two stories in
+height, bearing the appearance of having been recently erected, and
+these towered over the squat, one-story frames in seeming contemptuous
+dignity. There were many private dwellings, some stores, but the young
+man's first impression was that there was an enormous number of saloons.
+
+He saw few people; those who came within range of vision were apparently
+cowboys, for they were rigged in the picturesque garb that he had
+studied many times in the illustrations of Eastern magazines. He had
+admired them afar, for there was something about them, something in the
+free, wild life they led, that appealed to him; something that struck at
+the primitive in his heart. He had heard tales of them; travelers
+returning from these regions had related sundry stories of these wild
+men of the plains; stories of their hardihood, of their recklessness, of
+their absolute fearlessness--clothing them with a glamor and romance
+that had deeply impressed the young man. His own life had been rather
+prosaic.
+
+He saw some cowponies hitched to rails in front of several of the
+saloons; in front of a store he observed a canvas-covered wagon which he
+recognized (from sketches he had seen) as a "prairie schooner"; in front
+of another store he saw a spring wagon of the "buckboard" variety. That
+was all. The aroma of sage-brush filled his nostrils; the fine,
+flint-like, powdered alkali dust lay thick everywhere. It was
+unattractive and dismal.
+
+The town, as it lay before him, began in desolation and ended in
+desolation. Except that it was a trifle larger it differed in no
+important particular from many others that littered the face of the
+world through which he had passed during the last twenty-four hours. It
+was a mere dot in the center of a flat grass country covering a vast
+area. It sat, serene in its isolation, as far from civilization as
+Genesis from Revelation. In the stifling heat of the lazy June afternoon
+it drowsed, seemingly deserted except for the ponies and the two wagons,
+and the few incurious cowboys who had rewarded the young man with their
+glances. Apparently whatever citizens were here were busy in the
+saloons. As this thought flashed upon the young man his lips
+straightened grimly. But he continued slowly on his way, giving much
+attention to objects that came within his range of vision. The more he
+saw of the town, the less pleased he was with it.
+
+The suit cases were heavy; he paused in front of a building and set them
+down, while with his handkerchief he mopped the dust and perspiration
+from his forehead. He saw a flaring sign on the roof of the building in
+front of which he had stopped and he read the legend with a smile of
+derision: "The Fashion Saloon." Several ponies were hitched to the rail
+in front of the building; the bridle of one was gaily decorated with a
+bow of ribbon. Only a woman would have decorated a pony thus, the young
+man decided with a smile. Yet what sort of woman would hitch her pony in
+front of a saloon? He looked about him for some explanation and saw a
+vacant space beside him and beside the vacant space a store. There was
+no hitching rail in front of the store, therefore here was the
+explanation. He heard a sound behind him and turning he beheld the
+figures of a man and a woman in the vacant space between the two
+buildings.
+
+The woman seemed to be little more than a girl, for as the young man
+watched she turned slightly toward him--though not seeing him--and he
+saw youth pictured on her face, and innocence, though withal she gave
+the young man an impression of sturdy self-reliance that awakened
+instant admiration for her in his mind.
+
+She was attired in picturesque costume, consisting of short riding
+skirt, boots, felt hat, woolen blouse with a flowing tie at the throat,
+gloves, and spurs. It was not the sort of thing to which the young man
+was accustomed, but she made an attractive picture and he took in every
+detail of her appearance with eager eyes.
+
+It was some time before he noticed the man. The latter stood facing the
+girl and he could not get a view of his face. He had a gigantic frame,
+with huge shoulders that loomed above the girl, dwarfing her. The young
+man remained motionless, watching the two, for there was something in
+the big man's attitude that held him. The man turned presently and the
+young man had a glimpse of his face. It was heavy featured, coarse, and
+an unmistakable brutality was betrayed in it. The young man's lips
+curled. He did not like the type, and it was the girl's face that held
+him now that he had seen the man's.
+
+He leaned easily against the front of the building, not over fifteen
+feet distant from the two, trying to appear uninterested, but not
+concealing his interest. He believed the girl had not seen him, for
+though she had looked in his direction he was sure that her glance had
+passed him to rest on the pony at the hitching rail. Swift as the glance
+had been the young man had seen in her face an expression that caused
+him to decide to remain where he was until the girl mounted her pony, no
+matter how long that time might be. So he relaxed, leaning against the
+building--attentive, listening, though apparently entirely unconcerned
+over their conversation.
+
+The girl seemed moved with some deep emotion over something the big man
+had said, for her slight figure had stiffened and she stood looking at
+him with an angry, intense gaze. The big man had been taunting her, for
+his teeth showed in a mocking grin as he hovered near her, apparently
+sure of her. It was like a lion playing with a mouse. Then the young man
+heard the big man's voice:
+
+"So you don't take kindly to my courting? Don't want anything to do with
+me at all?" His forced laugh had a harshness in it that caused the young
+man's muscles to stiffen. He took a sly glance at the girl and saw her
+chin uplift with disdain.
+
+"Do you think it necessary for me to tell you that--again?" she said.
+
+A strange satisfaction thrilled the young man; sympathy for her drew his
+mouth into a peculiarly grim smile. But he had no time to enjoy his
+satisfaction for the big man spoke and this time he did not laugh.
+
+"Well," he said shortly, "you're going to have something to do with me.
+You're going to hook up with me or I'm putting that crazy brother of
+yours out of business!"
+
+The girl was suddenly rigid and a deep red as suddenly suffused her
+cheeks. The young man's face paled at the threat, his teeth came
+together with a snap, and he leaned forward, wishing to hear some more
+of this extraordinary conversation. More of it came quickly. The girl
+spoke, her voice even and well controlled, though burdened with a biting
+sarcasm:
+
+"What a terrible man you are, to be sure, to threaten to make war upon a
+defenseless girl and her afflicted brother. But I'm not afraid of you!"
+
+She took a step toward him, standing very close to him and looking
+straight into his eyes. She was fighting bravely for her composure, but
+the young man had seen that her lips had quivered pitifully during her
+brief speech. He stiffened with sympathy. He could not, of course,
+understand this strange conversation, but he could discern its drift,
+and the suggestive underplay in the big man's words. But plainly he had
+not been mistaken in his estimate of the young woman--she seemed
+entirely able to take care of herself.
+
+He crowded a little closer, though he knew that this conversation was
+none of his affair further than that he was interested--as any man would
+be interested--in seeing that the young woman received decent treatment.
+Certainly so far she had not received that, yet neither had the big man
+said anything to warrant interference by a stranger. Stealing another
+glance, the young man saw a heavy revolver at the man's hip, and he did
+not doubt, from what he had thus far seen of him, that he would use the
+weapon should he turn and discover that there was a listener to his
+conversation. Such an action would accord perfectly with tales that the
+young man had heard of this section of the country. But he edged closer.
+
+The big man's face had become poisonously bloated. The girl's defiance
+seemed to have enraged him.
+
+"Hell!" he said venomously. "You're talking damn brave!" He leaned
+closer to her. "And you think you'd be disgraced if folks knowed you was
+a friend of mine?" He laughed harshly. "Most folks are tickled to be
+known as my friend. But I'm telling you this: If I ain't a friend I'm an
+enemy, and you're doing as I say or I'm making things mighty unpleasant
+for you and your poor, 'afflicted' brother!"
+
+The young man saw the girl's hands clench, saw her face grow slowly
+pale. Twice now had the big man taunted her about her brother, and
+plainly his words had hurt her. Words trembled on her lips but refused
+to come. But for an instant she forced her eyes to meet those of the man
+and then they suddenly filled with tears. She took a backward step, her
+shoulders drooping. The big man followed her, gloating over her. Again
+the young man's thoughts went to the lion and the mouse.
+
+"Hurts, does it?" said the big man, brutally. "Well, you've brought it
+on yourself, being such a damn prude!"
+
+He reached out and grasped her by the shoulder. She shrank back,
+struggling with him, trying to grasp the butt of an ivory-handled
+revolver that swung at her right hip. The big man pinned her arms and
+the effort was futile.
+
+And then retribution--like an avalanche--struck the big man. He heard
+the movement, sensed the danger, and flung his right hand toward his
+pistol butt. There was a silent struggle; a shot, one of the young man's
+arms swung out--flail like--the clenched hand landing with a crash. The
+big man went down like a falling tree--prone to the ground, his revolver
+flying ten feet distant, a little blue-white smoke curling lazily upward
+out of its muzzle. The big man was raised again--bodily--and hurled down
+again. He lay face upward in the white sunlight--a mass of bruised and
+bleeding flesh.
+
+The young man's anger had come and gone. He stood over the big man,
+looking down at him, his white teeth gleaming through his slightly
+parted lips.
+
+"I think that will do for you," he said in an even, passionless voice.
+
+For an instant there was a tense silence. The young man turned and
+looked at the girl, who was regarding him with surprised and bewildered
+eyes.
+
+The young man smiled mirthlessly. "I think I waited rather too long. But
+he won't bother you again--at least for a few minutes."
+
+He saw the girl's gaze directed to a point somewhere behind him and he
+turned to see that a door in the side of the Fashion Saloon was vomiting
+men. They came rushing out, filling the space between the two
+buildings--cowboys mostly, with a sprinkling of other men whose
+appearance and attire proclaimed them citizens. The young man stood
+silent while the newcomers ranged themselves about him, others giving
+their attention to the big man who still lay on the ground. The girl had
+not moved; she was standing near the young man, her face pale, her
+slight figure rigid, her eyes wide and flashing. The young man looked
+from her to the men who had crowded about him and he became aware that
+one of the men--a slender, olive-skinned cowboy--evidently a
+half-breed--was speaking to him. He stood looking at the man, saw menace
+in his eyes, heard his voice, writhing in profane accusation:
+
+"So you've shot Beeg Beel, you tenderfoot----!" said the man. His right
+hand was hooked in his cartridge belt, near the butt of his six-shooter.
+
+The young man had been coldly scrutinizing the face of the half-breed;
+he had seen a sneering insolence on the thin, snarling lips, and he knew
+instantly that this man was a friend of his fallen adversary. He had
+smiled grimly when the man had begun speaking, being willing to argue
+the justice of his action in striking the big man, but at the man's vile
+insult his white teeth gleamed again and his right arm flew out--like a
+flail--the fist crashing against the half-breed's jaw. Like the big man
+the half-breed collapsed in a heap on the ground. There was a sudden
+movement in the crowd, and pistols flashed in the sunlight. The young
+man took a backward step, halted, drew himself up and faced them, his
+lips curling.
+
+"Of course you'll shoot now," he said bitterly.
+
+He heard a rustle beside him, and turned to see the girl standing within
+a foot of him, the ivory-handled pistol in hand, her eyes flashing
+coldly.
+
+"I don't think that any of them are going to shoot," she declared
+evenly, her voice resounding in the sudden silence that had fallen; "Big
+Bill got just what he deserved, and this gentleman will not be molested.
+He isn't armed," she said, with a dry laugh; "shooting him would be
+murder, and if he is shot I promise to avenge him immediately." She
+turned slightly, speaking to the young man while keeping her eyes on the
+men around her. During the pause that followed her words several of the
+men stealthily sheathed their weapons and stepped back.
+
+"I think Big Bill is able to fight his own battles," continued the girl,
+taking advantage of the evident reluctance of the men to force trouble.
+
+Her face became slightly paler as she saw the big man sit up and stare
+about him. He got to his feet and stood, swaying dizzily for an instant,
+and then his gaze sought out the young man and was fixed on him with
+foreboding malignance. His right hand fell to his holster, and finding
+no weapon there he turned and sought it, finding it, and returning to a
+point near the young man, the weapon in hand. As he halted there was
+another movement and the half-breed was on his feet and dragging at his
+revolver. The young man crouched, prepared to spring, and the big man
+spoke sharply to the half-breed.
+
+"Quit it!" he said, snarling. "Mind your own business!" Then he seemed
+to realize that the half-breed had been worsted also, for he looked at
+the latter, saw the dust on his clothing and grinned expressively.
+
+"So he got you too, did he, Yuma?" His heavy features wreathed into a
+mocking sneer as he faced the young man.
+
+"Knocked me down!" he said in a silky, even voice. "Knocked me cold with
+a punch. Knocked Yuma Ed down too!" He took another step toward the
+young man and surveyed him critically, his eyes glinting with something
+very near amusement. Then he stepped back, laughing shortly.
+
+"I ain't shooting you," he said. "I've got an idea that you and me will
+meet again." There was an ominous threat in his voice as he continued:
+"Shooting you wouldn't half pay you back. Mark that, young man--shooting
+you wouldn't half pay you back."
+
+He stepped away from the young man, motioning the other men into the
+door through which they had emerged to come to his assistance, and they
+filed slowly in without protest. The big man paused long enough to look
+again at the young man.
+
+"Knocked me down!" he said as though scarcely able to realize the truth;
+"knocked me cold with a punch!" He laughed, his coarse features twisting
+into an odd expression. "Well, I'll be damned!" He turned abruptly and
+disappeared through the door through which the other men had gone.
+
+For an instant the young man stood, looking after him. Then he turned
+and saw the young woman, standing near her pony, regarding him with
+grave eyes.
+
+"Thank you," she said. He caught a flashing smile and then she was in
+the saddle, loping her pony down the street toward the station. For a
+moment the young man looked after her and then with a smile he returned
+to his suit cases and was off down the street toward the courthouse,
+which he saw in the distance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE RULE OF CATTLE
+
+
+The courthouse was a low, one-story redbrick building, sitting well back
+from the street. It was evidently newly built, for an accumulation of
+debris, left by the workmen, still littered the ground in the vicinity.
+A board walk led from the street to the wide, arched entrance. From the
+steps one could look down the street at the station and the other
+buildings squatting in the sunlight, dingy with the dust of many dry
+days. Except for the cowponies and the buckboard and the prairie
+schooner there was a total absence of life or movement, offering a
+striking contrast to the bustling cities to which the young man had been
+accustomed.
+
+He walked rapidly down the board walk, entered the courthouse, and
+paused before a door upon which appeared the legend: "United States
+District Court. J. Blackstone Graney." The young man set his suit cases
+down, mopped his forehead with his handkerchief, making a wry face at
+the dust that appeared on the linen after his use of it, and then
+knocked lightly, but firmly, on the door. A voice inside immediately
+admonished him to "come in." The young man smiled with satisfaction,
+turned the knob and opened the door, standing on the threshold. A man
+seated at one of the windows of the room was gazing steadily out at the
+vast, dry, sun-scorched country. He turned at the young man's entrance
+and got slowly to his feet, apparently waiting for the visitor to speak.
+He was a short man, not heavily, but stockily built, giving a clear
+impression of stolidity. Yet there was a certain gleam in his eyes that
+gave the lie to this impression, a gleam that warned of an active,
+analytical mind. Judicial dignity lurked all over him.
+
+The young man bowed respectfully. "Are you Judge Graney?" he questioned.
+
+The judge nodded and the young man smiled slightly. "I am Kent Hollis,"
+he said.
+
+The judge had been approaching a big table that stood in the center of
+the room and at the young man's words he took a second glance at him,
+but did not hesitate in his walk toward the table. However, he smiled
+when he reached it, sinking into a chair and motioning the young man to
+another.
+
+"I have been expecting you," he said after he had become seated. "Take a
+chair." He waited until the young man had drawn a chair opposite him and
+then he leaned over the table and stretched out his hand in greeting.
+"I'm glad to see you," he continued cordially. He held the young man's
+hand for an instant, peering steadily into the latter's unwavering eyes,
+apparently making a mental estimate of him. Then he dropped the hand and
+sat back, a half smile on his face. "You look like your father," he
+said.
+
+The young man's face clouded. "Poor dad," he said slowly.
+
+For a moment there was a silence; the judge studied the young man's
+face. Something that he saw in it must have pleased him, for he smiled,
+becoming serious instantly.
+
+"I am sorry you could not get here in time," he said. "We buried your
+father yesterday."
+
+"I couldn't make it," returned the young man regretfully. "I should have
+liked to see him before he died. Where did you bury him?"
+
+"We took him out to his ranch--the Circle Bar," returned the judge,
+"where he said he wanted to be buried when he died. You'll find that the
+Circle Bar boys have done their best for him--which was little enough.
+Poor fellow, he deserved something better." He looked keenly at the
+young man.
+
+Lines of pain came into the latter's face; he bowed his head, nodding at
+the Judge's words.
+
+"I have always thought that it was his own fault," he said gently. "It
+might have been different." He looked slowly up at the judge, his face
+reddening with embarrassment. "Of course you know something of his
+life," he said. "You were his friend--he wrote me a while back, telling
+me that. I don't pretend to know what came between him and mother," he
+continued; "mother would never tell and father never mentioned it in his
+letters. I have thought it was drink," he added, watching the judge's
+face closely. He caught the latter's slight nod and his lips
+straightened. "Yes, it must have been drink," he continued; "I have
+inferred that from what mother has hinted now and then. But----" and a
+wistful gleam came into his eyes--"I have hoped that it would not be
+drink that would cause his----"
+
+He caught the judge's slow, grave nod and he broke off abruptly, his
+eyes filling with an expression of resignation. "Well," he said, "it is
+ended, no matter what did it." He shoved back his chair. "I thank you
+for what you did for him," he added, rising; "I assure you that if it is
+possible for me to repay----"
+
+"Sit down," said the judge, waving a hand to the young man's chair. "No
+thanks are due me. I did only what any friend would do for another. I
+have arranged for you to go out to the Circle Bar," he informed Hollis
+as the latter hesitated over resuming his chair. "Neil Norton, your
+range boss, is to be here at six o'clock with the buckboard." He
+consulted his watch. "He ought to be here in half an hour--if he is on
+time. Meantime there are some things I would like to say to you."
+
+Hollis smiled. "Fire away," he directed.
+
+The judge leaned his elbows on the table and narrowed his eyes at
+Hollis. "Don't think my questions impertinent," he said gravely, "for I
+assure you that nothing is further from my mind than a desire to pry
+into your affairs. But I take it you will need some advice--which, of
+course, you may disregard if you wish. I suppose you don't make a secret
+of your age?"
+
+"No," was the instant reply, given with a grin, "I am twenty-six."
+
+The judge smiled dryly. "We have great ambitions at twenty-six," he
+said. "I remember that at twenty-six I was rather determined on making
+the Supreme bench. You can see for yourself how far I missed it. I do
+not say that we never realize our ambitions," he added quickly as he saw
+a flash light up the young man's eyes; "I merely wish to show that in my
+case they were rather extravagant." He grimaced, continuing with a
+smile: "You are a college man, of course--I can see that."
+
+Hollis nodded. The judge continued, with an admiring glance at the young
+man's muscular frame and broad shoulders.
+
+"Went in for athletics--football, and such?" he said. "Well," he added,
+catching the young man's nod, "it didn't hurt you a particle--it doesn't
+hurt anybody. Rather prepares a man for hard knocks--which he is sure to
+get sooner or later. If you have decided to live in this country you
+must expect hard knocks. And I presume you are going to live here?"
+
+"That depends." returned Hollis. "If father has left his affairs in such
+shape that it is necessary for me to stay here and straighten them out,
+why of course I shall stay. Otherwise----" He hesitated and laughed
+quietly, continuing: "Well, I also have an ambition, and if I am
+compelled to remain here it will have to be sacrificed. It is a rather
+humble ambition compared to yours," he laughed. "It is journalism," he
+continued, suddenly serious; "I want to own a newspaper. I am city
+editor now and in a few years----" He laughed. "I am not going to
+prophesy, but I have been working hard."
+
+The judge's eyelashes flickered, but his face remained grave. "I am
+afraid that you will have to remain here. That is"--he added dryly--"if
+you expect to realize anything from the property."
+
+"I expect there can't be much property," observed Hollis.
+
+The judge smiled. "A thousand acres of good grass land, some buildings,
+and"--here the judge's eyes gleamed and he drawled his words--"a
+newspaper."
+
+Hollis sat erect. "A newspaper!" he gasped. "A newspaper in this
+country? Why, man, a newspaper----"
+
+The judge laughed. "So you will not have to go back East in order to be
+able to realize your ambition--you can own a newspaper here--your
+father's newspaper--the Dry Bottom _Kicker_. It was quite a recent
+venture; I believe it appeared about a dozen times--intermittently.
+Ostensibly it was a weekly, but in reality it was printed at those times
+when your father's affliction sat least heavily upon him. He used to
+hire a compositor from Las Vegas to set the type,--a man named Potter--a
+worthless sort of fellow, but a genius in his way--when sober. I suspect
+that much of the matter that went into the _Kicker_ emanated from
+the brain of Dave Potter."
+
+Hollis's smile revealed just a trace of derision. "You don't happen to
+know how father happened to think that a newspaper would pay--in this
+place?" he asked.
+
+The judge looked at him meditatively, a gleam of quiet amusement in his
+eyes. "I don't remember to have said that the paper made any money for
+your father," he returned slowly; "nor do I remember hearing your father
+say that he expected it to make any money. As I understand the
+situation, your father founded the paper on principle. He expected to
+use it as a weapon."
+
+"Please go on," urged Hollis. "That strikes me as a rather Quixotic
+proceeding."
+
+"It was, rather," admitted the judge; "that is, it would seem Quixotic
+as viewed by an Eastern newspaper man. But out here people are apt to
+ignore money and methods in considering results. After you have been
+here a while you will be able to see the force and truth of that
+statement. Your father was after results and he seized upon the idea of
+founding a newspaper as a means by which to obtain them. And I feel
+certain that had he lived he would have succeeded."
+
+"I plead ignorance," said Hollis, watching the judge closely. "What
+particular result did my father desire?"
+
+Judge Graney's eyes gleamed with earnestness. He leaned forward,
+speaking slowly and distinctly.
+
+"I am going to illustrate my point by giving you a brief history of your
+father's experiences out here--as I had it from him. He came out here
+about fifteen years ago and took up a quarter-section of land over on
+Rabbit-Ear Creek, the present site of the Circle Bar ranch. For quite a
+few years he was a nester--as the small owner is called in this country,
+but he was unmolested for the reason that there were few large owners in
+the vicinity and each man was willing that his neighbor should succeed.
+Your father prospered and after a few years began to buy land. He
+finally acquired a thousand acres; he told me that at one time he had
+about five thousand head of cattle. Of course, these cattle could not
+live on your father's thousand acres, but the ranges are free and the
+thousand acres answered very well as a headquarters.
+
+"Eight years ago some men in Santa Fe organized what is known as the
+Union County Cattlemen's Association. This company secured a section of
+land adjoining your father's property, on the other side of Rabbit-Ear
+Creek. The company called its ranch the Circle Cross. Perhaps it strikes
+you as peculiar that the Association should have chosen a brand so
+closely resembling your father's. I will digress long enough to explain
+the action."
+
+The judge drew out a pencil and picked up a piece of paper that lay near
+him on the desk, making some crude hieroglyphics and poising his pencil
+above them.
+
+"Here," he explained, indicating a sketch which he had drawn, "is the
+Circle Bar brand--a bar within a circle. And this--" indicating another
+sketch, "--is the Circle Cross--a cross within a circle. It is of course,
+perfectly obvious that all the Circle Cross company had to do when it
+desired to appropriate one of the Circle Bar cattle was to add a
+vertical bar to the Circle Bar brand and the brand became the Circle
+Cross. From a mechanical standpoint it was a very trifling operation,
+the manipulator of the brands having merely to apply the hot iron
+through a piece of wet blanket--that gives a new brand the appearance of
+age.
+
+"To get back to the main subject. The new company called its ranch the
+Circle Cross and it erected new buildings within a few miles of the
+Circle Bar buildings. Not long after the advent of the new company it
+tried to buy the Circle Bar, but your father refused to sell. Bill
+Dunlavey, the Circle Cross manager, attempted to negotiate the purchase
+of the Circle Bar and when he was met with refusal hard words passed
+between him and your father. Not long after that your father began to
+miss cattle--rustlers began a systematic attack upon his herds. Your
+father recognized this thievery as the work of the Cattlemen's
+Association and he fought back.
+
+"A number of times he changed his brands but each time the company
+checkmated him. To illustrate: Your father changed his brand to appear
+thus:" The judge drew again on the paper. "That is the 'Wine-Glass'
+brand. You can see that it resembles a wine glass when held up
+vertically, though of course as it appeared on the Circle Bar cattle it
+lay on its side. But this move was futile, for among the Circle Cross
+cattle now appeared many branded with the sign of the 'Hour-Glass,'
+thus:" The judge drew again. "This was achieved by merely adding a
+semi-circle to the wine-glass, closing over the bowl."
+
+"As I have said your father altered his brand a good many times. But the
+Circle Bar cattle continued to disappear. Years of warfare followed. The
+Cattlemen's Association lost no opportunity to harass your father or,
+for that matter, all the other small owners in the vicinity. Desperate,
+dissolute men were imported from Texas and Arizona, men who took delight
+in the shedding of human blood. These men roamed the ranges, stealing
+the Circle Bar cattle and killing Circle Bar cowboys. Your father had
+trouble in keeping men; in order to surround himself with enough men to
+protect his cattle and resist the aggressions of Dunlavey's hired
+assassins he was forced to pay ruinous wages.
+
+"Even then he could not prevent rustling. Dunlavey bribed his men; his
+herds dwindled; he saw that he was facing ruin if he did not devise some
+means to successfully cope with his enemies. He went over to Santa Fe to
+see the governor--a piffling carpet-bagger. He was told that the
+government was powerless; that the same condition existed all over the
+country, and that the government was unable to combat it. The Law had
+not come.
+
+"Your father returned home, discouraged but not beaten. He approached
+the several other small owners in the vicinity, asking for co-operation
+and assistance. Fearful of Dunlavey's wrath, the small owners refused to
+organize. But your father decided to carry on the fight alone. He
+recognized the fact that nothing but the Law could defeat the
+association's aims, and he determined to force the Law into the
+Territory. With this end in view he established his newspaper. He
+succeeded in arousing public interest with the result that a court was
+established here."
+
+The judge smiled dryly, continuing: "Yes, the Law is here. Or what is
+more to the point, a representative of the Law is here. 'I am the Law,'"
+he quoted, ironically. "But my hands are tied; this court is a mere
+travesty upon justice. The government at Washington has seen fit to send
+me here--alone. I can't go out and get evidence; I couldn't secure a
+conviction if I did. The people here who are not Dunlavey's friends were
+afraid of him. I can't get a jury. Dunlavey elects the sheriff--controls
+the election machinery. I am powerless--a mere figurehead. This is the
+situation in a nutshell. I could go into detail, but I imagine it is
+plain enough as it is."
+
+Hollis's face had become gravely serious; his lips were straightened
+with an expression that hinted at the conflict that was going on in his
+mind.
+
+"Isn't there an army post near?" he questioned.
+
+"Over at Fort Union--a hundred miles or so southwest. I have pleaded for
+a detail, but have been informed that it can't be had; that the soldiers
+are needed to keep the Indians in order. Independent cattlemen are
+supposed to fight it out alone. At least that is the inference, if we
+are to consider the attitude of the government."
+
+Hollis was gravely silent. The judge leaned back in his chair, watching
+him with a queer expression. He realized that he had said enough to
+discourage the average young man from remaining in the country a moment
+longer than was absolutely necessary. He would not have been surprised
+had Hollis told him that he did not intend to remain. But from what he
+had seen of the young man he felt sure that his decision, when it did
+come, would be final. More than once since Hollis had been in the office
+had the judge observed the serene, steady gleam in his eyes, and he had
+catalogued him with the rare class of men whose mental balance is so
+perfect that nothing disturbs it. The judge had met a few such men in
+the West and he knew the type. As he sat looking at the young man he
+decided that Providence had made a mistake in allowing him to waste his
+time in the East. The West teemed with opportunities for men of his
+kind.
+
+He was not surprised at Hollis's next question; it showed that he was
+considering the situation from many angles before committing himself.
+
+"What is the condition of Circle Bar ranch at present?" he asked.
+
+"The title to the land is intact and cannot be assailed. But Norton
+informs me that there are not above two hundred head of cattle on the
+range, and that the buildings are run down. Not a very cheerful
+prospect?"
+
+He had told the truth about the land and the cattle, but he had
+purposely exaggerated concerning the condition of the buildings, being
+grimly determined to place the situation in its most unfavorable light
+that he might be the better able to test the young man's mettle. He
+smiled as Hollis thoughtfully stroked his chin.
+
+"Well, now," admitted the latter, flashing a queer smile at the judge,
+"I quite agree with you that the prospect isn't cheering. But so long as
+the condition is such as it is there is no need to grumble. I didn't
+come out here expecting to fall into a bed of roses."
+
+"Then you won't be disappointed," returned the judge dryly. He filled
+and lighted a pipe, smoking meditatively, his eyes on the younger man
+with a curious expression. He had determined to push the test a little
+farther.
+
+"You could probably sell the Circle Bar," he said finally. "Your father
+told me before he died that he had been offered ten dollars an acre for
+his land. That would total to a tidy sum."
+
+Hollis looked quickly at the judge, his eyes flashing with grim
+amusement. "Would you advise me to sell?" he questioned.
+
+The judge laughed quietly. "That is an unfair question," he equivocated,
+narrowing his eyes whimsically. "If I were heir to the property and felt
+that I did not care to assume the danger of managing it I should sell,
+without doubt. If, on the other hand, I had decided to continue my
+father's fight against an unscrupulous company, I would stay no matter
+what the consequences. But"--He puffed slowly at his pipe, his voice
+filling with unmistakable sarcasm--"it would be so much easier to sell
+and return at once to a more peaceful atmosphere. With ten thousand
+dollars you could go back East and go on with your newspaper work, well
+equipped, with a chance of realizing your ambition--and not be troubled
+with continuing a fight in which, no doubt, there would be many blows to
+be taken."
+
+"Thank you," returned Hollis quietly. He looked steadily into the
+judge's eyes, his own glinting with a grim humor. "You have succeeded in
+making it very plain," he continued slowly. "But I am not going to
+run--I have decided on that. Of course I feel properly resentful over
+the way my father has been treated by this man Dunlavey and his
+association." His eyes flashed with a peculiar hardness. "And I would
+stay here and fight Dunlavey and his parcel of ruffians if for no other
+reason than to secure revenge on personal grounds.
+
+"But there is one other reason. There is a principle at stake. I don't
+care very much about the personal side of the question; little as I knew
+my father, I believe he would have ignored personalities were he
+confronted with the condition that confronts me. It is my belief that as
+an American citizen he chafed under conditions that prevented him from
+enjoying that freedom to which we are all entitled under the
+Constitution. Judging from your conversation you are in entire sympathy
+with that sentiment." He smiled at the judge. "Of course I am not
+mistaken?" he added.
+
+The tobacco in the bowl of the judge's pipe spluttered; he brought his
+right fist heavily down upon the table, rattling the pens and ink
+bottles that littered its top. "No, young man; you are not mistaken--you
+have hit the nail squarely on the head. If you are going to stay here
+and fight Dunlavey and his crew, Blackstone Graney is with you
+until----"
+
+"Until the Law comes," suggested Hollis.
+
+"Yes, by thunder!" declared the judge. "You can go further than that and
+say: 'until the Law rules!'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+NORTON MAKES A DISCOVERY
+
+
+Judge Graney rose and leaned over the table, taking the young man's hand
+and holding it tightly. Then he sat down again and resumed smoking.
+Neither man said a word during the hand-clasp and yet both knew that
+their hearts and minds were united in a common cause. Words would have
+been unnecessary and futile.
+
+Hollis's path of duty lay straight and open before him. There was no
+by-way that would lead him around the dangers that were sure to beset
+him. Nor had he thought to search for any. Long before the judge had
+concluded his recital of conditions in the county Hollis had decided to
+meet the issue squarely. He had been able to see beyond the petty,
+personal side of the question; had even ignored it to get at the big,
+pithy principle of equal rights. The Law must come. If he could assist
+in bringing it he would be accomplishing something real and tangible and
+he would be satisfied. He did not believe that Destiny had anything to
+do with his appearance upon the scene at this particular time; rather he
+felt that his coming was merely a result of a combination of
+circumstances such as might have occurred to any man. And like any man
+with courage and deeply settled convictions he was prepared to move
+forward to the issue, trusting himself. He had no thought of appearing
+heroic.
+
+Yet to the judge he appeared so. The latter had been prepared to hear
+excuses from him; had been prepared to resist a natural inclination to
+berate the young man soundly for lack of parental loyalty, though
+conscious that he could advance no valid reason for the young man
+sacrificing himself upon the altars of an old feud. It was against human
+nature for any man to so sacrifice himself, he had assured himself when
+trying to build up a defense for the young man.
+
+And now that Hollis had shown that he needed no defender; that he was
+willing to take up the cudgels in behalf of his father, the judge was
+scarcely able to restrain himself. To state calmly that he intended to
+fight the Cattlemen's Association when there was a life of comparative
+safety awaiting him in another section of the country was an heroic
+decision. Many another man would have cringed--would have surrendered
+without striking a blow.
+
+Judge Graney had long known that the action of his government in sending
+him to Union County was an ironical surrender on the part of the
+government to the forces in the West which had been long demanding the
+Law. He had been sent here, presumably to enforce the law, but in
+reality to silence the government's critics. He was not expected to
+convict anyone. Theoretically he was supposed to uphold the majesty of
+the law in Union County, but in reality he merely remained and drew his
+salary. There was no law to enforce.
+
+In the fight that had been waged between the elder Hollis and the
+Cattlemen's Association his sympathies had been with Hollis, though he
+had never been able to assist him in a legal way. But the judge knew
+that eventually the Law must come, and so he encouraged Hollis, assuring
+him that victory would be his in the end.
+
+And then Hollis had died--suddenly. The Las Vegas doctor who had
+attended him had shaken his head sagely when the judge had questioned
+him regarding his patient and had pointed significantly to one of Dry
+Bottom's saloons. The doctor had told the judge there was no hope, and
+the latter had telegraphed East. The appearance of young Hollis had been
+the result. The judge's heart had warmed toward the young man.
+
+"What are your intentions regarding the newspaper--the _Kicker_?"
+he questioned.
+
+Hollis looked up quickly, his face grave. "Perhaps if there had been no
+_Kicker_ here my decision might have been different," he said. "But
+so long as it is here it is in business to stay!"
+
+"I expect that decision won't please Dunlavey a whole lot," the judge
+returned.
+
+"Perhaps not," drawled Hollis; "still, we can't aim to please everybody.
+I expect I might be able to get hold of that printer--Potter I believe
+you called him?"
+
+"Potter won't be hard to find," assured the judge; "a search of the
+saloons would uncover him, I imagine." He smiled. "When you get ready to
+get the _Kicker_ out just let me know; I promise to have Potter on
+hand."
+
+To the ears of the two men came a rattle of wheels and a voice. The
+judge leaned back in his chair and looked out through the window. His
+face wreathed into a broad smile as he resumed his former position and
+looked at Hollis. "Your range boss is here," he said.
+
+They heard a step on the board walk, and a man stood in the doorway
+looking at them.
+
+The newcomer gave an instant impression of capability. He stood on the
+threshold, entirely composed, saturnine, serene eyed, absolutely sure of
+himself. He was arrayed in high heeled boots, minus spurs; the bottoms
+of a pair of dust-covered overalls were tucked into the boot legs; a
+woolen shirt, open at the throat, covered a pair of admirable shoulders;
+a scarlet handkerchief was knotted around his neck; and a wide brimmed
+hat, carelessly dented in the crown, was shoved rakishly back from his
+forehead. Sagging from his slim waist was a well filled cartridge belt
+and at the right hip a heavy revolver.
+
+"Howdy, judge!" he said with a smile, in response to Judge Graney's
+cordial greeting.
+
+"Just come in?" questioned the judge.
+
+"Been in town an hour," returned Norton.
+
+He flashed a searching glance at Hollis, which that young man met
+steadily. The thought crossed Hollis's mind that the buckboard that he
+had seen in front of a store soon after leaving the station must have
+been Norton's. But now Norton was speaking again and Hollis listened.
+
+"Dropped into the Fashion to see my friend Red Eggers," resumed Norton,
+smiling broadly. "Same old crowd--Dunlavey, Yuma Ed, Ten Spot,
+Greasy--most of the bunch which has been makin' things interestin' for
+us hereabouts."
+
+At the mention of "Yuma Ed" Hollis looked up. That was the name of the
+second man he had struck in the affair near the Fashion Saloon. He
+wondered if Norton knew. He did not remember to have seen the latter
+among the men who had surrounded him in the space between the two
+buildings. But the judge was now introducing him to Norton and he stood
+up, holding the latter's hand and meeting his inspecting gaze fairly. He
+found that the range boss was fully as tall as he; indeed, Hollis
+discovered that he was compelled to look up slightly in order to meet
+the latter's level gaze. Norton smiled peculiarly; there was a friendly
+expression in his eyes, but mingled with it was a reserved, appraising,
+speculative gleam, which drew a smile to Hollis's lips.
+
+"So you're Jim Hollis's boy?" said Norton. "My new boss?" He grinned,
+evidently willing to go more than half way in forming a friendship with
+his "new boss". "I don't reckon that you're much stuck on this here
+country--much as you've seen of it?"
+
+"I've been used to keeping busy," laughed Hollis, "and my impression is
+that it seems rather dull out here."
+
+Norton's eyelashes flickered. He deliberately closed one eye at the
+judge, carefully averting his face so that Hollis could not see.
+
+"So you're lookin' for action?" he said to Hollis in a grave voice.
+"Mebbe it ain't none of my business," he added, his eyes gleaming, "but
+I'm askin' you if you're thinkin' to stay in this country--keepin' your
+dad's ranch an' his newspaper?"
+
+Hollis nodded. Norton's eyes gleamed with a savage delight. "Bully!" he
+declared. "If you stay here you'll get plenty of action. I was afraid
+you wouldn't stay." He turned to Judge Graney, a grin of satisfaction on
+his face. "I'm tellin' you somethin' that will tickle you a heap," he
+said. "I told you that I had stopped in Red Egger's saloon. I did.
+Dunlavey's bunch was feelin' mighty sore over somethin'. I stayed there
+a while, tryin' to find out what it was all about, but there wasn't none
+of them sayin' anything to me. But pretty soon I got Red over into a
+corner an' he told me. Accordin' to him Dunlavey had corraled that
+Hazelton girl outside an' was tellin' her somethin' pretty strong when a
+tenderfoot, which hadn't any regard for Dunlavey's delicate feelin's, up
+an' lambasted him in the jaw!"
+
+"Struck him?" queried the judge, grinning delightedly.
+
+"Knocked him cold," affirmed Norton, his eyes dancing. "Pasted him so
+hard that he thought it was night an' went to sleep. Then Yuma busted in
+an' thought to work his guns. He got his'n, too. That there tenderfoot
+didn't have no respect for guns. Red says he never thought any man could
+hit so hard. It must have been sumptuous!" He laughed delightedly. "I'd
+like to shake hands with that tenderfoot--he's my friend!"
+
+Hollis pulled out a cigar case, selected a cigar, lighted it, and smoked
+in silence.
+
+So her name was Hazelton. Admiration over the manner in which she had
+held the men at bay before Dunlavey got to his feet still lingered; she
+had impressed him deeply. But a deeper satisfaction overshadowed his
+thoughts of the girl, for he had slugged Dunlavey, his father's enemy.
+His satisfaction grew to amusement. Did Dunlavey know who had slugged
+him? He must have suspected, for Hollis recalled the man's significant
+expression when, after he had risen from the ground he said: "I've got
+an idea that you an' me will meet again."
+
+Hollis's thoughts flitted rapidly from Dunlavey to the girl. Now that he
+had decided to stay he had determined to search her out. He remembered
+that Dunlavey had spoken slightingly of her brother and he assured
+himself that he would not be entirely satisfied until he had uncovered
+the mystery. He might have questioned Norton or the judge, for both men
+evidently knew the girl, but he was reluctant to betray his interest in
+her to either man.
+
+He heard Norton make an exclamation of surprise, and looking up he saw
+him holding his right hand out, the palm upward, examining it. There was
+a splotch of blood on the palm and another on the under side of the
+thumb.
+
+"Shucks!" Norton was saying. "Now where in thunder did I get that?" He
+looked again at the hand and then suddenly dove forward to Hollis's
+side, seized his right hand, peered at the knuckles and held the hand
+triumphantly aloft.
+
+"I reckon this is where I got it!" he grinned.
+
+Hollis looked ruefully down at his knuckles. The skin was
+gashed--evidently where it had come in contact with a bone in either
+Dunlavey's or Yuma's jaw. He had intended to keep the story of adventure
+to himself. But he saw that Norton had stepped back and was gazing
+soberly at the suitcases, which Hollis had deposited near the door.
+Norton suddenly let out a chirp of delight.
+
+"Two of them!" he said, suppressing his excitement; "Two grips! Red
+Eggers said there was two an' that the tenderfoot had come down toward
+the court house!" He walked to Hollis and halted in front of him,
+looking at him with admiration and satisfaction.
+
+"Own up now!" he said. "You ain't tellin' us that it wasn't you, durn
+you! Oh, say!" He uttered a whoop that must have startled the horses in
+front of the building. Then he sobered down, speaking in a low,
+regretful voice: "You durn tenderfoot! Here I've been waitin' for years
+to get a crack at that big four-flusher, an' here you come, a-fannin'
+along from your little old East an' get ahead of me!" He stifled a
+cackle of mirth. "An' so you're lookin' for action? Lordy! If you don't
+call what you done to Dunlavey an' Yuma action this country's goin' to
+set up an' take notice when you get to goin' in earnest!"
+
+Judge Graney loomed somberly over the table. "I suppose it must have
+been you?" he said gravely.
+
+Hollis nodded. "I may as well confess," he said. "I saw a man giving a
+young lady a mighty bad moment and I slugged him. Another man called me
+a vile name and I slugged him, too. That was all."
+
+The judge sat down again, his face slightly pale. A significant glance
+passed between him and Norton, but the latter laughed grimly.
+
+"I reckon he's opened the ball, right off the reel," he suggested.
+
+Judge Graney drew a deep breath. "Yes," he returned. "I suppose that way
+is as good as any other. It was bound to come anyway. It will be war to
+the finish now!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+AT THE CIRCLE BAR
+
+
+In the two weeks that followed his arrival at Dry Bottom, Hollis had
+much time to meditate upon the great change that had come into his life.
+His conclusion that there was nothing in common between cattle raising
+and journalism was not a result of an involved process of reasoning, and
+had he not been endowed with a sense of humor he might have become
+embittered. Though a sacrifice be made cheerfully, there lingers always
+its ghost to draw mental pictures of "what might have been." Hollis
+would have been more than human had he not felt some little regret over
+his sacrifice.
+
+It had seemed to him, as two weeks before he had ridden away from the
+court house--sitting on the seat of the buckboard beside Neil Norton,
+his suitcases tucked snugly away underneath--that he was once and for
+all severing his connection with the big, bustling world in which he had
+moved; in whose busy scenes he had been so vitally interested. His had
+been a big work; seated at his desk in the "city" room of his newspaper
+he had many times likened himself unto an argus-eyed recording angel
+whose business it was to keep in view each of the many atoms of a busy
+multitude and to accord to them that amount of space that their
+importance seemed to demand. He had loved his work; it had broadened
+him, had provided him with exactly the proportion of mental exercise
+needed to keep him on edge and in a position to enjoy life. He had lived
+in the East--really lived. Out here he would merely exist, though, he
+assured himself grimly, his enemies would have to pay dearly for his
+sacrifice.
+
+The picture of his journey to the Circle Bar ranch was still fresh in
+his mind as he rode slowly away from Neil Norton, whom he had left
+sitting in his saddle on a ridge, watching him. The long twilight had
+brought its lengthening shadows that night before Norton had struck the
+Circle Bar trail, and before they had traveled a mile of the ten that
+lay before them night had come. Hollis had been little inclined to talk
+and Norton did not disturb him, but gave his attention to the horses.
+There had been no moon and few stars, and darkness, as under a blanket,
+had settled over them before they were many miles from Dry Bottom.
+
+The country seemed nothing more than a vast plain, broken here and there
+by ridges and depressions. Occasionally a low hill loomed out of the
+darkness, the shadows deepening around it; now and then the buckboard
+passed through a draw, the wheels sinking hub-deep in the loose sand.
+Several dry arroyos crossed the trail, but with a knowledge that seemed
+almost marvelous Norton cleverly avoided these pitfalls. Hollis could
+not see a foot ahead, but the location of the trail seemed to be no
+mystery to the range boss, for he drove the horses steadily on,
+hesitating for nothing.
+
+Once during the ride Norton broke the silence with a subdued cackle of
+mirth, and at another time he laughed aloud.
+
+"I'd liked to have seen Big Bill when you hit him!" he observed, regret
+in his voice. "I reckon he might have been just a little surprised!"
+
+To which Hollis made no reply. At another time Norton broke the silence
+long enough to inquire:
+
+"I reckon mebbe you wouldn't have hit him so hard if you'd knowed who he
+was?"
+
+"I think I should have hit a little harder," returned Hollis quietly.
+
+"Why, hell!" declared Norton with a laugh; "I reckon you would have done
+just that!"
+
+About ten o'clock they came in sight of some straggling posts, and
+Norton assured Hollis that the posts were strung with wire, forming a
+fence which skirted one side of the Circle Bar pasture. A few minutes
+later a dog barked and at Norton's call came bounding up to the
+buckboard, yipping joyously. Hollis could make out his shape as he
+cavorted about.
+
+"My dog," offered the range boss. "Half wolf, the other half just dog."
+He chuckled over his joke. "Best dog you ever see," he boasted; "money
+couldn't buy him. Like dogs?"
+
+Hollis nodded and then realizing that Norton could not see him in the
+darkness, voiced a quick "yes".
+
+In the distance Hollis saw a sudden square of light illuminate the wall
+of darkness into which they had been driving; a door had been opened.
+Evidently the dog's barking had aroused the inmates of the building, for
+as the buckboard drew nearer Hollis saw several figures flit out of the
+door-way. Norton drove the horses close to the building and brought them
+to a halt with a sonorous "whoa"! Then he turned to Hollis and spoke
+with a drawl: "This here building is the Circle Bar bunkhouse; them's
+some of your men."
+
+Hollis remarked the size of the building and Norton laughed grimly.
+"There was a time when it wasn't any too big," he said. "Five years ago
+your dad had twenty-seven men on the pay-roll. If Dunlavey an' his damn
+association hadn't showed up he'd have had them yet." He turned toward
+three men who were lounging in the doorway. "Hey, you guys!" he yelled;
+"this here's your new boss. If you-all ain't glued there you might grab
+his grips an' tote them up to the ranchhouse. Tell the missus that I'll
+be along directly with the boss."
+
+Amusement over the Southern twang that marked Norton's speech filled
+Hollis. He had noticed it before and it had made plain to him the reason
+of Norton's unhurried movements, his slow humor, his habit of quiet
+scrutiny.
+
+But he had little time for reflection. At Norton's words two men sprang
+forward to the buckboard and he saw his suitcases disappear into the
+darkness in the direction of a light that he now saw flickering from
+some little distance. He jumped out of the buckboard and saw another man
+spring to the horses' heads and lead them away into the darkness. Then
+he followed Norton into the light from the open doorway. Presently he
+was shaking hands with a man who stood there, whose chief articles of
+raiment were overalls, boots, and a woolen shirt. Almost instantly, it
+seemed, two of the others had returned and Norton was introducing them
+as "Ace," "Lanky," and "Weary." These pseudonyms were picturesque and
+descriptive, though at the time Hollis was in a state of pained
+incomprehension concerning them. Later he was informed that Ace had been
+so named on account of having once been caught slipping a playing card
+of that character into his bootleg during a game of poker.
+Incidentally--Hollis was told--gun-play had resulted. That Ace was still
+active proved that the other man might have profited by keeping his
+knowledge to himself. Obviously, Lanky deserved his appellation--he was
+a trifle over six feet tall and proportioned like a young sapling. Weary
+had been born tired--so Hollis was told by the latter's defamers;
+defamers, for later Hollis discovered that no man in the outfit could
+show more surprising agility on occasion than this same Weary.
+
+Hollis found himself inside the bunkhouse, where he was critically
+inspected by the three men--and before he left, by the fourth, who
+answered to the name of "Bud." Norton told him that these four comprised
+his outfit--Bud acting as blacksmith. Hollis remained with the men only
+long enough to announce that there would be no change; that he intended
+to hang on and fight for his rights. When Norton told them that Hollis
+had already begun the fight by slugging Dunlavey and Yuma Ed, the
+enthusiasm of the four men was unbounded. They assured him profanely
+that they were with him to the "finish"--whatever it might be. After
+which Hollis departed to the ranchhouse.
+
+He found Mrs. Norton to be a pleasant faced woman of twenty-seven or
+eight, who had--according to Norton--"bossed him for seven years."
+Norton grinned hugely over his wife's embarrassed protest.
+
+"I haven't 'bossed' him," she told Hollis, while Norton looked on with
+amusement, "though there have been times when he richly deserved it."
+There was a spirited flash in the lady's eyes as she looked at her lord.
+
+"I don't wish to take sides in any marital controversy," Hollis told
+them. "I don't care to parade my ignorance. However," he smiled, with a
+wink at Norton, "most men need a boss, if for no other reason than to
+teach them the value of discipline."
+
+"There!" said Mrs. Norton with a triumphant laugh, and immediately left
+the two men and went into the kitchen.
+
+After partaking of a hearty meal Hollis and Norton went out on the porch
+for a smoke and a talk, and it was near midnight when Hollis tumbled
+into bed, distinctly pleased with the range boss and his admirable wife.
+He was asleep within five minutes.
+
+The sun was streaming into his window when he hopped out of bed the next
+morning, refreshed and eager to make a trip of inspection over his
+property. He came down stairs lightly, in the hope of being able to slip
+outside without disturbing anybody, but upon opening the stair door he
+was surprised to find the cloth on the table in the dining room already
+spread and hot food steaming upon it. Mrs. Norton was bustling about
+from the kitchen to the dining room. Evidently the Nortons had been
+astir for hours.
+
+Mrs. Norton smilingly directed him to a wash basin on a bench just
+outside the door and stood in the opening a moment, watching him as he
+drenched his face with the cold water. There was in her manner only the
+solicitous concern of the hostess whose desire is to place a guest at
+ease. Hollis decided that Norton had been most fortunate in his choice
+of a "boss."
+
+"Neil has gone down into the big basin to look after the men," she told
+him from the doorway. "I don't expect him to return for some little
+time. Come in to breakfast when you are ready."
+
+To his protest that he would wait until Norton's return before
+breakfasting she replied with a smile that her husband had already
+breakfasted, telling him also that in this part of the country everyone
+rose with the sun.
+
+He stood on the edge of the porch for a moment after washing, drinking
+in the air that came to him from the plains--a breeze laden with the
+clear aroma of the sage-brush moist with the dew of the night. When he
+entered the house Mrs. Norton was nowhere to be seen and he drew up a
+chair and breakfasted alone.
+
+A little later he embarked upon a tour of inspection. All of the
+buildings, with the exception of the ranchhouse, which was constructed
+of logs, with a gable roof and plastered interstices--were built of
+adobe, low, squat structures with flat roofs. There were six of
+them--the bunkhouse, mess house, blacksmith shop, the range boss's
+private shack (from which Norton and his wife had removed after the
+death of the elder Hollis), the stable, and one other building for the
+storing of miscellaneous articles. Hollis inspected them all and was not
+quite convinced that they had reached the stage of dilapidation
+suggested by Judge Graney.
+
+During his inspection Hollis had seen a patch of garden, some chickens,
+and down in a small pasture some cows that he supposed were kept for
+milking. He was leaning on the top rail of the corral fence after he had
+concluded his trip of inspection when he heard a clatter of hoofs behind
+him and turned to observe Norton, just riding up to the corral gate. The
+range boss wore a grin of pleasure.
+
+"How you findin' things?" he questioned.
+
+"In better shape than I expected--after listening to Judge Graney,"
+smiled Hollis.
+
+Norton looked critically at him. "Then you ain't changed your mind about
+stayin' here?" he inquired.
+
+"No," returned Hollis; "I believe I shall get used to it in time."
+
+Norton dismounted, his eyes alight with satisfaction. "That's the
+stuff!" he declared. He threw the reins over his pony's head and seized
+Hollis by an arm. "Come along with me--down to my shack," he said; "I've
+got somethin' to show you."
+
+Without further words he led Hollis toward a building--the one he had
+occupied previous to the death of the elder Hollis. There were three
+rooms in the building and in the front one were several articles of
+furniture and some boxes. One of these boxes Norton opened, taking
+therefrom several articles of wearing apparel, consisting of a pair of
+corduroy trousers, a pair of leathern chaps, boots, spurs, two woolen
+shirts, a blue neckerchief, a broad felt hat, and last, with a grin of
+amusement over Hollis's astonished expression, a cartridge belt to which
+was attached a holster containing a Colt .45.
+
+"I bought this outfit over at Santa Fe two months ago," he informed
+Hollis, who was gravely contemplating the lay-out, "expectin' to wear
+them myself some day. But when I got home I found they didn't quite
+fit." He surveyed Hollis with a critical eye. "I've been thinkin' ever
+since you come that you'd fit pretty snug in them." He raised a
+protesting hand as Hollis was about to speak. "I ain't givin' them to
+you," he grinned. "But you can't wear no tenderfoot clothes out here.
+Some day when we're together an' we've got time you can blow me to
+another outfit; I won't hesitate about takin' it." He leaned over and
+tapped the butt of the Colt. "You ever handle one of them?" he
+questioned.
+
+Hollis nodded. Once during a shooting tournament he had done good work
+with a pistol. But Norton laughed at his nod.
+
+"Mebbe we do it a little different out here," he smiled. "You hop into
+them duds an' we'll go out into the cottonwood yonder an' try out your
+gun." He pointed through the door to a small clump of cottonwoods beyond
+the bunkhouse.
+
+He went out and fifteen minutes later Hollis joined him, looking
+thoroughly at home in his picturesque rigging. An hour later they
+returned to the corral fence, where Norton caught up his pony and
+another, saddling the latter for Hollis. He commented briefly upon the
+new owner's ability with the six-shooter.
+
+"You use your fists a little better than you use a gun," he remarked
+with his peculiar drawl, "but I reckon that on the whole you'll be able
+to take care of yourself--after you've had a little practise gettin'
+your gun out." He laughed with a grim humor. "More men have been killed
+in this country on account of bein' slow on the draw than for any other
+reason. Don't never monkey with it unless you intend to use it, an' then
+see that you get it out middlin' rapid. That's the recipe," he advised.
+
+The pony that he had selected for Hollis was a slant-eyed beast, larger
+than the average, with rangy limbs, black in color with a white muzzle
+and fetlocks. Hollis voted him a "beaut" after he had ridden him a mile
+or two and found that he had an easy, steady stride.
+
+Together they made a round of the basin, returning to the ranchhouse for
+dinner. Hollis was saddle weary and when Norton proposed another trip
+during the afternoon he was met with the response that the new owner
+purposed enjoying the cool of the ranchhouse porch for the remainder of
+the day.
+
+The next morning Hollis was up with the dawn and out on the porch
+splashing water over his face from the wash basin that stood outside the
+door. For a long time after washing he stood on the porch, looking out
+over the big basin at this new and strange world. Endless it seemed,
+lying before him in its solemn silence; a world of peace, of eternal
+sunlight, smiling skies, and infinite distance. It seemed unreal to him.
+Did this same planet hold the busy cities to which he had been
+accustomed? The stuffy room, with its smell of damp ink, its litter of
+papers--his room in the newspaper offices, filled with desks and the
+clatter of typewriters? Through whose windows came the incessant clamor
+that welled up from the streets below? He laughed at the thought and
+turned to see Norton standing in the doorway looking at him with a
+smile.
+
+"Comparin' her with your little old East?" inquired the latter.
+
+Hollis confessed that he had been doing something of that sort.
+
+"Well," returned Norton, "there ain't any way to compare this country
+with anything else. Seems as though when the world was made the Lord had
+a few million miles left which he didn't know what to do with an' so he
+just dumped it down out here. An' then, havin' business somewhere else
+about that time he forgot about it an' left it to get along as best it
+could--which wasn't none too rapid."
+
+This conversation had taken place just twelve days ago, yet Norton's
+words still remained fresh in Hollis's mind. Yet he did not altogether
+agree with Norton. The West had impressed him far more than he cared to
+admit.
+
+This morning, directly after breakfast Hollis and Norton had saddled
+their horses and ridden out of the basin toward the river, into a
+section of the country that Hollis had not yet explored. Emerging from
+the basin, they came to a long, high ridge. On its crest Norton halted.
+Hollis likewise drew in his pony. From here they could see a great
+stretch of country, sweeping away into the basin beneath it, toward a
+mountain range whose peaks rose barren and smooth in the white sunlight.
+
+"This here's 'Razor-Back' ridge," explained Norton as the ponies halted;
+"called that on account of bein' so unusually narrow on the top." He
+pointed to some buildings which Hollis had seen but to which he had
+given very little attention, thinking they were those of the Circle Bar.
+"Them's the Circle Cross buildings," resumed Norton. "They're about
+three miles from the Circle Bar ranchhouse, directly north through that
+cottonwood back of the bunkhouse where you tried your gun the day after
+you come out here. Down below there--where you see them two big
+cottonwood trees--is 'Big Elk' crossin'. There's another somethin' like
+it back up the crick a ways, on the other side of the ranchhouse, called
+the 'Narrows.'" He laughed grimly. "But we don't use them crossins'
+much--they're dead lines; generally you'll find there's a Circle Cross
+man or so hangin' around them--with a rifle. So it don't pay to go
+monkeyin' around there unless you've got pressin' business."
+
+He made a grimace. "It's my opinion that a good many Circle Bar cattle
+have crossed the crick in them two places--never to come back." He swept
+a hand up the river, indicating the sentinel like buttes that frowned
+above the bed of the stream. "The crick is pretty shallow," he
+continued, "but Big Elk an' the Narrows are the only two places where a
+man can cross in safety--if we consider that there wouldn't be any
+Circle Cross man hangin' around them two places. But there ain't no
+other place to cross an' so we don't go on the other side much."
+
+He turned to Hollis, looking at him with a quaint smile. "From here you
+can see everything that amounts to anything in this section--which ain't
+a heap. Of course over there are some mountains--where we was a few days
+ago lookin' up the boys"--he pointed to some serrated peaks that rose
+somberly in the southwestern distance--"but as you saw there ain't much
+to them except rocks an' lava beds. There's some hills there"--pointing
+to the south--"but there ain't nothin' to see in them. They look a heap
+better from here than they do when you get close to them. That's the way
+with lots of things, ain't it?"
+
+Hollis smiled. "I like it," he said quietly, "much better than I did
+when I came." He turned to Norton with a whimsical smile. "I suppose it
+will strike you as peculiar, but I've got a notion that I would like to
+ride around a while alone. I don't mean that I don't like your company,
+for I do. But the notion has just struck me."
+
+Norton laughed indulgently. "I reckon I won't consider that you're
+trying to slight me," he returned. "I know exactly how you feel; that
+sort of thing comes over everybody who comes to this country--sooner or
+later. Generally it's later, when a man has got used to the silence an'
+the bigness an' so on. But in your case it's sooner. You'll have to have
+it out with yourself."
+
+His voice grew serious. "But don't go ridin' too far. An' keep away from
+the river trail."
+
+In spite of his ready acquiescence he sat for some time on his pony,
+watching Hollis as the latter urged his pony along the ridge. Just
+before Hollis disappeared down the slope of the ridge he turned and
+waved a hand to Norton, and the latter, with a grim, admiring smile,
+wheeled his pony and loped it over the back trail.
+
+Once down the slope of the ridge Hollis urged his pony out into the
+level of the basin, through some deep saccatone grass, keeping well away
+from the river trail as advised by the range boss.
+
+In spite of his serious thoughts Hollis had not been dismayed over the
+prospect of remaining at the Circle Bar to fight Dunlavey and his crew.
+He rather loved a fight; the thought of clashing with an opposing force
+had always filled him with a sensation of indefinable exultation. He
+reveled in the primitive passions. He had been endowed by nature with
+those mental and physical qualities that combine to produce the perfect
+fighter. He was six feet of brawn and muscle; not an ounce of
+superfluous flesh encumbered him--he had been hammered and hardened into
+a state of physical perfection by several years of athletic training,
+sensible living, and good, hard, healthy labor. Circumstances had not
+permitted him to live a life of ease. The trouble between his
+parents--which had always been much of a mystery to him--had forced him
+at a tender age to go out into the world and fight for existence. It had
+toughened him; it had trained his mind through experience; it had given
+him poise, persistence, tenacity--those rare mental qualities without
+which man seldom rises above mediocrity.
+
+Before leaving Dry Bottom to come to the Circle Bar he had telegraphed
+his mother that he would be forced to remain indefinitely in the West,
+and the sending of this telegram had committed him irrevocably to his
+sacrifice. He knew that when his mother received a letter from him
+explaining the nature of the work that required his presence in Dry
+Bottom she would approve his course. At least he was certain that she
+would not advise surrendering.
+
+After riding for more than an hour he came to a shallow draw and urged
+his pony through the deep sand of its center. On the other side of the
+draw the country became suddenly rocky; great boulders were strewn
+indiscriminately about, as though some giant hand had distributed them
+carelessly, without regard to their final resting place. A lava bed,
+looming gray and dead under a barren rock hill, caught his attention,
+and he drew his pony to a halt and sat quietly in the saddle examining
+it. From the lava bed his gaze went to a weird mineral shape that rose
+in the distance--an inverted cone that seemed perfectly balanced on its
+narrowest point. He studied this long without moving, struck with the
+miraculous stability of the thing; it seemed that a slight touch would
+send it tumbling down.
+
+He realized that he had stumbled upon a spot that would have provided
+pleasure to a geological student. To him it was merely a source of
+wonder and awe. Some mighty upheaval of nature had created this, and he
+continued to gaze at it, his mind full of conjecture.
+
+To his right rose a precipitous rock wall surmounted by a fringe of
+thick shrubbery. On the left was another wall, perpendicular, flat on
+its top and stretching away into the distance, forming a grass plateau.
+Directly in front of him was a narrow canyon through which he could see
+a plain that stretched away into the unknown distance.
+
+It was a magnificent country; he did not now regret his decision to
+remain here. He pulled out his watch, noting that its hands pointed to
+ten, and realized that he must be off if he expected to reach the Circle
+Bar by noon.
+
+He sat erect in the saddle, about to wheel his pony toward the draw
+through which he had entered, when he heard a sharp sound. Startled, he
+glanced swiftly to his right, searching the immediate vicinity for the
+agency which had created sound in this vast silence. He stiffened slowly
+in the saddle, his face gradually paling. Not over a hundred feet from
+him, partly concealed by a big boulder, stood a man with a rifle, the
+muzzle of the weapon trained fairly on him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+THE GIRL OF DRY BOTTOM
+
+
+Hollis was not frightened, though he was in a position that might have
+aroused fear or apprehension in any man's mind. He was alone, the man
+had him covered with the rifle, and assuredly this was one of Dunlavey's
+hirelings.
+
+Hollis glanced swiftly around. Certain signs--some shrubbery that he saw
+through the canyon, a bald butte or two rising in the distance--told him
+that he was near the river. And Norton had told him to keep away from
+the river trail. In his eagerness to explore the country he had
+forgotten all about Norton's warning.
+
+The prospect was not a hopeful one, yet Hollis could not have admitted
+to feeling any alarm. He realized that had the man intended any
+immediate harm he would have shot him down long before this--while he
+had sat motionless in the saddle inspecting the place. Concerning the
+man's intentions he could only speculate, but assuredly they were not
+peaceful.
+
+For a little time the man remained motionless and Hollis sat quiet,
+looking at him. The weapon had not moved; its muzzle still menaced him
+and he watched it closely, wondering whether the man would give him any
+warning when about to pull the trigger.
+
+Many minutes dragged and the man did not move. A slow anger began to
+steal over Hollis; the man's inaction grated on his nerves.
+
+"Well!" he challenged sharply. "What do you want?"
+
+There was no answer. Hollis could see only the man's head and shoulders
+projecting above the boulder, and the rifle--steady and level--menacing
+him. With an exclamation of rage and disdain he seized the bridle rein
+and pulled sharply on it, swinging the pony's head around. The rifle
+crashed venomously; Hollis felt the right sleeve of his shirt flutter,
+and he pulled the pony abruptly up.
+
+"Just to show you!" came the man's voice, mockingly. "If you move again
+until I give the word you won't know where you've been hit!"
+
+Hollis was satisfied--the man undoubtedly meant business. He settled
+back into the saddle and looked down at his shirt sleeve. The bullet had
+passed very close to the arm. If the man had meant the bullet for that
+particular spot he was a deadly marksman. In the face of such marvelous
+shooting Hollis did not care to experiment further. But his anger had
+not yet abated.
+
+"No doubt you are enjoying yourself!" he said with bitter sarcasm. "But
+the pleasure is all yours. I am not enjoying myself a bit, I assure you.
+And I don't like the idea of being a target for you to shoot at!"
+
+A laugh came back to Hollis--a strange, unnatural, sardonic cackle that,
+in spite of his self-control, caused his flesh to creep. And then the
+man's voice:
+
+"No, you don't like it. I knew that all along. But you're going to stay
+here for seven weeks while I shoot holes in you!" He laughed again, his
+voice high and shrill, its cackling cadences filling the place.
+
+"Seven weeks in Devil's Hollow!" came the voice again. "Seven weeks!
+Seven weeks!"
+
+Hollis felt his heart thumping heavily against his ribs, while a sinking
+sensation in the pit of his stomach told him that his courage was
+touched. He realized now why the man had not shot him down immediately.
+He was a maniac!
+
+For a few terrible seconds Hollis sat in the saddle while the world
+reeled around him; while the rocks and cliffs danced fantastically.
+Courage he had to be sure; he had already become resigned to death
+before the man's rifle, but he had imagined the man to be in full
+possession of his senses; imagined his death to have been planned out of
+the deliberate coolness of reason. Such a death would have been bad
+enough, but to meet death at the hands of a man mentally unbalanced!
+Somehow it seemed different, seemed horribly unreal--like a terrible
+nightmare.
+
+It was some seconds before he regained control of himself, and then he
+steadied himself in the saddle, assuring himself in a burst of bitter,
+ironic humor that death at the hands of a crazy man could be no worse
+than death at the hands of a rational one.
+
+He looked up again, a defiant smile on his lips, to see that both man
+and rifle had disappeared. In a flash he saw his chance and took
+advantage of it. In an instant he was off his pony; in another he was
+behind a convenient rock, breathing easier, his senses alert. For some
+little time he remained in the shelter of the rock, awaiting the other
+man's movements. He did not doubt that acting upon some freakish
+impulse, the man had left his boulder and was even now stalking him from
+some other direction. He peered carefully about him. He had no thought
+of shooting the man--that would be murder, for the man was not mentally
+responsible for his actions. His efforts must be centered solely upon
+some plan for saving his own life.
+
+To do this he realized that he must be careful. In view of the man's
+unerring marksmanship it would be certain death for him to expose
+himself for an instant. But he must take some chances. Convinced of this
+he peered around the edge of his rock, taking a flashing glance around
+him. The man was nowhere to be seen. Hollis waited some little time and
+then taking another glance and not seeing the man, rose slowly to his
+feet and crouched. Then, filled with a sudden, reckless impulse, he
+sprang for another rock a dozen feet distant, expecting each instant to
+hear the crash of the man's rifle. But he succeeded in gaining the
+shelter of the other rock intact. Evidently the man was looking for him
+in some other direction.
+
+Emboldened with his success he grimly determined on advancing to another
+rock some twenty or thirty feet farther on. As in the first instance he
+succeeded in gaining it in safety. His maneuvering had been circuitous,
+bringing him into a position from which he could see partly behind the
+rock where the man had been concealed.
+
+And now, having gained the second rock in safety, Hollis decided to take
+no more chances. Sooner or later, he was convinced, the man was sure to
+see him as he jumped. He did not like the picture that his imagination
+conjured up. Therefore his actions were now marked with more caution. It
+took him a long time to gain a position where he could peer over the
+upper edge of the rock behind which he was concealed. But he gained it
+finally and then dropped back with an exclamation of surprise. He had
+caught a glimpse of the man. He was lying face upward behind the
+boulder, his arms outstretched, his rifle lying in the dust near him.
+
+Hollis was tempted to make a run for his pony, mount, and race out of
+the hollow. But a second thought restrained him. He had considered the
+man's action merely a ruse, but why should he attempt it after he had
+once had an opportunity to make use of his rifle? Still for an instant
+Hollis hesitated, for he knew there was no rule by which a maniac's
+actions might be judged. Then with a grim laugh he sprang over the few
+feet that separated him from the man, approaching him carefully, still
+slightly doubtful.
+
+But the man was not shamming; Hollis could see that when he had
+approached close enough to see his face. It bore a curious pallor, his
+eyes were wide open and staring, and some foam flecked his lips.
+Evidently he had been overcome by a paroxysm of his malady at about the
+moment Hollis had discovered it.
+
+Hollis stepped back and heaved a sigh of relief. Then he stepped over to
+where the man's rifle lay, taking it up and removing the cartridges.
+Returning to the man he removed the cartridges from his belt and drew
+his six-shooter from its holster, determined that when the man recovered
+from his stupor there would be no danger of a recurrence of the previous
+incident. Then he leaned against the boulder to await the man's
+recovery.
+
+Ten minutes later, while he still watched the man, he heard a clatter of
+hoofs. Determined not to be taken by surprise again he drew his own
+six-shooter and peered cautiously around the edge of the boulder. What
+he saw caused him to jam the weapon back into its holster very
+hurriedly. Then he stepped out of his concealment with a red,
+embarrassed face to greet a young woman whose expression of doubt and
+fear was instantly replaced by one of pleasure and recognition as she
+caught sight of him. It was the girl of Dry Bottom.
+
+"Oh!" she said. "Is it you? I was afraid----" And then she saw the man
+and was off her pony in a flash and at his head, supporting it and
+pouring something down his throat from a bottle.
+
+She rose presently, embarrassment crimsoning her face. Hollis saw her
+lips quiver when she turned and spoke to him.
+
+"He will be all right--now," she said, facing Hollis, her eyes drooping
+as though ashamed to meet his. "He has had another attack of his--his
+trouble." She looked suddenly up at Hollis, bravely trying to repress
+her emotion--but with little success.
+
+"You heard what he--Big Bill Dunlavey--said about my brother?" she
+questioned, her eyes full and moist. Hollis nodded and she continued
+rapidly, her voice quavering: "Well, he told the truth." Her voice
+trailed away into a pitiful wail, and she stepped over and leaned
+against the boulder, sobbing quietly into her hands. "That's why it
+hurts so," she added.
+
+Hollis yielded to a sudden wave of sympathy. He stood close to her,
+aware of his inability to cope with this strange situation. She looked
+so small, so out of place, he felt that whatever he did or said would
+not help matters. What he did say, however, assisted in restoring her
+composure.
+
+"I am glad I slugged him!" he said heatedly.
+
+She turned suddenly to him, her eyes flashing spiritedly through the
+moisture in them.
+
+"Oh, it was great!" she declared, her hands clenching at the
+recollection. "I could have shaken hands with you--with the hand that
+struck him!"
+
+Hollis smiled whimsically. "I've still got the hand," he said
+significantly, extending it toward her--"if you have not reconsidered."
+He laughed as she took it and pressed it firmly. "I rather think that
+we've both got a shake coming on that," he added. "I didn't understand
+then about your brother or I would have added a few extra pounds to that
+punch."
+
+Her face clouded as he mentioned her brother. "Poor Ed," she said in a
+low voice. She went over to the man, leaning over him and smoothing back
+the hair from his forehead, Hollis looking glumly on, clenching his
+teeth in impotent sympathy.
+
+"These attacks do not come often," she volunteered as she again
+approached Hollis. "But they do come," she added, her voice catching.
+Hollis did not reply, feeling that he had no right to be inquisitive.
+But she continued, slightly more at ease and plainly pleased to have
+some one in whom she might confide.
+
+"Ed was injured a year ago through a fall," she informed Hollis. "He was
+breaking a wild horse and a saddle girth broke and he fell, striking on
+his head. The wound healed, but he has never been the same. At intervals
+these attacks come on and then he is irresponsible--and dangerous." She
+shuddered. "You were watching him," she added, looking suddenly at him;
+"did you find him as he is or did he attack you? Frequently when he has
+these attacks he comes here to Devil's Hollow, explaining that he
+expects to find some of Dunlavey's men. He doesn't like Dunlavey," she
+added with a flush, "since Dunlavey----" She hesitated and then went on
+determinedly--"well, since Dunlavey told him that he wanted to marry me.
+But Ed says that Dunlavey has a wife in Tucson and--well, I wouldn't
+have married him anyway--the brute!"
+
+"Exactly," agreed Hollis gravely, trying to repress a thrill of
+satisfaction; "of course you couldn't marry him." He understood now the
+meaning of Dunlavey's words to her in Dry Bottom. "If you wasn't such a
+damn prude," he had said. He looked at the girl with a sudden, grim
+smile. "He said something about running you and your brother out of the
+country," he said; "of course you won't allow him to do that?"
+
+The girl's slight figure stiffened. "I would like to see him try it!"
+she declared defiantly.
+
+Hollis grinned. "That's the stuff!" he sympathized. "I rather think that
+Dunlavey is something of a bluffer--that folks in this country have
+allowed him to have his own way too much."
+
+She shook her head doubtfully. "I don't know about that," she returned.
+Then she smiled. "You are the new owner of the Circle Bar, aren't you?"
+
+Hollis startled, looking at her with a surprised smile. "Yes," he
+returned, "I am the new owner. But how did you know it? I haven't told
+anyone here except Neil Norton and Judge Graney. Have Norton and the
+Judge been talking?"
+
+"They haven't talked to me," she assured him with a demure smile. "You
+see," she added, "you were a stranger in Dry Bottom, and after you left
+the Fashion you went right down to the court house. I knew Judge Graney
+had been your father's friend. And then I saw Neil Norton coming into
+town with the buckboard." She laughed. "You see, it wasn't very hard to
+add two and two."
+
+"Why, no," Hollis agreed, "it wasn't. But how did you happen to see me
+go down to the court house?"
+
+"Why, I watched you!" she returned. And then suddenly aware of her
+mistake in admitting that she had felt an interest in him at their first
+meeting, she lowered her gaze in confusion and stood, kicking with her
+booted toe into a hummock, her face suddenly very red.
+
+The situation might have been embarrassing for her had not her brother
+created a diversion by suddenly sighing and struggling to sit up. The
+girl was at his side in an instant, assisting him. The young man's
+bewilderment was pitiful. He sat silent for a full minute, gazing first
+at his sister and then at Hollis, and finally at his surroundings. Then,
+when a rational gleam had come into his eyes he bowed his head, a blush
+of shame sweeping over his face and neck.
+
+"I expect I've been at it again," he muttered, without looking up.
+
+The girl leaned over him, reassuring him, patting his face lovingly,
+letting him know by all a woman's arts of the sympathy and love she bore
+for him. Hollis watched her with a grim, satisfied smile. If he had had
+a sister he would have hoped that she would be like her. He stepped
+forward and seized the young man by the arm, helping him to his feet.
+
+"You are right now," he assured him; "there has been no harm done."
+
+Standing, the young man favored Hollis with a careful inspection. He
+flushed again. "You're the man that rode through the draw," he said. "I
+saw you and thought you were one of Dunlavey's men. I shot at you once,
+and was going to shoot again, but something cracked in my head. I hope I
+didn't hit you." Embarrassment again seized him; his eyes drooped. "Of
+course you are not one of Dunlavey's men," he added, "or you wouldn't be
+here, talking to sis. No friend of Dunlavey's could do that." He looked
+at the girl with a tender smile. "I don't know what I'd do if it wasn't
+for her," he added, speaking to Hollis. "But I expect it's a good thing
+that I'm not crazy all the time." He looked searchingly at Hollis. "I've
+never seen you before," he said. "Who are you?"
+
+"I am Kent Hollis."
+
+The young man's eyes lighted. "Not Jim Hollis's son?" he asked.
+
+Hollis nodded. The young man's face revealed genuine pleasure. "You
+going to stay in this here country?" he asked.
+
+"I am going to run the Circle Bar," returned Hollis slowly.
+
+"Bully!" declared the young man. "There's some folks around here said
+you wouldn't have nerve enough to stay." He made a wry face. "But I
+reckon you've got nerve or you'd have hit the breeze when I started to
+stampede." He suddenly held out a hand. "I like you," he said
+impulsively. "You and me are going to be friends. Shake!"
+
+Hollis saw a smile of pleasure light up the girl's face, which she tried
+to conceal by brushing the young man's clothing with a gloved hand,
+meanwhile keeping him between her and Hollis.
+
+Hollis stood near the boulder, watching them as they prepared to depart,
+the girl telling her brother that he would find his pony on the plains
+beyond the canyon.
+
+"I am glad I didn't hit you," the young man told Hollis as he started
+away with the girl. "If you are not scared off you might take a run down
+to the shack some time--it's just down the creek a ways."
+
+Hollis hesitated and then, catching the girl's glance, he smiled.
+
+"I can't promise when," he said, looking at the girl, "but you may be
+sure that I will look you up the first chance I get."
+
+He stood beside the boulder until he saw them disappear around the wall
+of the canyon. Then with a satisfied grin he walked to his pony,
+mounted, and was off through the draw toward the Circle Bar ranchhouse.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+HOLLIS RENEWS AN ACQUAINTANCE
+
+
+Rumor, that mysterious disseminator of news whose tongues are legion,
+whispered that the Dry Bottom _Kicker_ was to come to life.
+Wherefore curiosity led many of Dry Bottom's citizens past the door of
+the _Kicker_ office to steal covert glances at the young man whose
+figure was bent over the desk inside. Many passed in silence after
+looking at the young man--he did not see them. Others commented gravely
+or humorously according to their whim--the young man did not hear them.
+Seated at the desk he gave his attention to the tasks before him--he was
+not concerned with rumor; the curiosity of Dry Bottom's citizens did not
+affect him. Seriously, methodically, steadily, he worked at his desk,
+while rumor wagged her tongues and curiosity lounged past the window.
+
+It was Hollis's first visit to the _Kicker_ office; he had come to
+work and there was much that he could do. He had found the _Kicker_
+installed in a one story frame building, verging upon dilapidation,
+unpainted, dingy. The appearance of its exterior had given Hollis a
+queer sensation in the pit of the stomach. He was cheered a little by
+the businesslike appearance of the interior. It was not what he had been
+used to, but he felt that it would answer very well in this locality,
+and--well, he planned to make improvements.
+
+About twenty by forty, he estimated the size of the interior. Originally
+there had been only one room. This had been divided into three sections
+by partitions. An old, flat-topped desk sat near the front window, a
+swivel chair before it. Along the wall above the desk were several rows
+of shelving with paste-board boxes and paper piled neatly up. Calendars,
+posters, and other specimens of the printer's art covered the walls. In
+the next room was another desk. Piles of advertising electrotypes, empty
+forms, and papers filled the corners. The composing room was in the
+rear. Everything was in order here; type cases, stands, forms. There
+were a proof press, some galley racks, a printing press, with a
+forlorn-looking gasolene engine near it. A small cast-iron stove stood
+in a corner with its door yawning open, its front bespattered with
+tobacco juice. A dilapidated imposing stone ranged along the rear wall
+near a door that opened into the sunlight. A man stood before one of the
+type cases distributing type. He did not look up at Hollis's entrance.
+
+"Hello!" greeted Hollis.
+
+The man hesitated in his work and looked up. "Hello," he returned,
+perfunctorily.
+
+"I suppose your name is Potter?" Hollis inquired cordially. Judge Graney
+had told him that if he succeeded in finding the compositor he would
+have him at the _Kicker_ office this morning. Potter had gone to
+work without further orders.
+
+"Yes," said the man. He came forward.
+
+"I am the new owner of the _Kicker_," Hollis informed him with a
+smile.
+
+"Jim Hollis's boy?" inquired Potter, straightening. At Hollis's nod he
+stepped quickly forward and grasped the hand the latter offered him,
+squeezing it tightly. "Of course you are Jim Hollis's boy!" he said,
+finishing his inspection. "You are the living image of him!" He swept
+his hand around toward the type case. "I am working, you see. Judge
+Graney wrote me last week that you wanted me and I came as soon as I
+could. Is it true that the _Kicker_ is going to be a permanent
+institution?"
+
+"The _Kicker_ is here to stay!" Hollis informed him.
+
+Potter's face lighted with pleasure. "That's bully!" he said. "That's
+bully!"
+
+He was of medium height, slender, lean faced, with a magnificent head,
+and a wealth of brown hair thickly streaked with silver. His thin lips
+were strong; his chin, though a trifle weak, was well formed; his eyes
+slightly bleared, but revealing, in spite of this defect, unmistakable
+intelligence. In the first flashing glance which Hollis had taken at him
+he had been aware that here was a person of more than ordinary mental
+ability and refinement. It was with a pang of pity that he remembered
+Judge Graney's words to the effect that he was a good workman--"when
+sober." Hollis felt genuinely sorry for him.
+
+"I have had a talk with Judge Graney," volunteered Potter. "He tells me
+that you are a newspaper man. Between us we ought to be able to get out
+a very respectable paper."
+
+"We will," calmly announced Hollis; "and we'll get the first issue out
+Saturday. Come in here and we'll talk about it."
+
+He led the way to the front room and seated himself at the desk,
+motioning Potter to another chair. Within the next hour he knew all
+about the _Kicker_. It was a six-column sheet of four pages. The
+first page was devoted to local news. The second carried some local
+advertisements, exchange clippings, and two or three columns of
+syndicate plate matter. On the third page two columns were devoted to
+editorials, one to advertisements, and three to local news in large
+type. The fourth, and last page was filled with more plate matter and a
+litter of "foreign" advertising--patent-medicines, soaps, hair-dye.
+
+At the first glance it appeared that the paper must be a paying
+proposition, for there were a goodly proportion of advertisements. Yet
+Hollis had his suspicions about the advertisements. When he had spoken
+to Potter about them he discovered that quite a number of them were what
+is known to the craft as "dead ads"--which meant advertisements upon
+which payment had ceased and which were carried either for the purpose
+of filling up the paper or because it was found cheaper to run them than
+to set type for the space which would be left by their absence.
+
+"We won't carry any dead ads!" announced Hollis.
+
+"Several of these are big merchants," said Potter, pointing them out
+with inky forefinger; "though the contracts have run out the appearance
+of their ads lends the _Kicker_ a certain moral support--the little
+fellows don't know that they are not paid for and it draws their
+business."
+
+"We don't care for that kind of business," smiled Hollis; "we're going
+to run a real newspaper. We're going to get paid ads!"
+
+"I hope so," hesitatingly replied Potter.
+
+"Of course you do," laughed Hollis; "but whether we get paid ads or not
+this newspaper is coming out regularly and on time. Furthermore, we're
+going to cut down on this plate stuff; we don't want a paper filled with
+stale articles on snakes, antedated ocean disasters, Egyptian monoliths,
+and the latest style in opera hats. We'll fill the paper with local
+news--we'll ginger things up a little. You are pretty well acquainted
+here--I'll leave the local items to you. What town near here compares
+with Dry Bottom in size?"
+
+"There's Lazette," returned Potter; "over in Colfax County."
+
+"How far from here?"
+
+"Eighty miles."
+
+"Got a newspaper?"
+
+"Yes; the _Eagle_."
+
+"Bully! Step on the _Eagle's_ toes. Make the _Eagle_ scream.
+Get into an argument with it about something--anything. Tell Lazette
+that as a town it's forty miles behind Dry Bottom. That will stir up
+public spirit and boom our subscription list. You see, Potter, civic
+pride is a big asset to a newspaper. We'll start a row right off the
+reel. Furthermore, we're going to have some telegraph news. I'll make
+arrangements for that to-day."
+
+Hollis's enthusiasm was infectious; a flash of spirit lighted up
+Potter's eyes as he rose from his chair. "I'm going to set up the head
+for the first page," he said. "Probably you'll want a slogan; that sort
+of thing is the style out here."
+
+"We'll have one," returned Hollis briskly. "Set this in triple leads:
+_'We Herald the Coming of the Law! The Kicker is Here to Stay!'_"
+
+"Good!" declared Potter. He went into the composing room and Hollis saw
+his fine old head bent over a type case. Hollis turned to his desk.
+
+He sat there long, his tall, lithe body slack, grim, serious lines in
+his lean face. He had thought of his conversation with Judge Graney
+concerning ambition--his ambition, the picture upon which his mind had
+dwelt many times. A little frame printing office in the West was not one
+of its features. He sighed with resignation and began methodically to
+look over the papers in the desk, finding many things to interest him.
+He discovered that in spite of his father's one great fault he had been
+a methodical man. He smiled regretfully, wishing that he might have been
+able to have seen more of him. Among the papers he hoped to find a
+personal note--a word--from his father. He found nothing of that
+character.
+
+After a time he took up a pen and began to write. Long ago he had
+decided that in the first issue of the paper he would attack the
+Cattlemen's Association. Judge Graney had ridden out to the Circle Bar
+on the previous Saturday afternoon, remaining over Sunday, and
+accompanying Hollis on the return trip Monday morning.
+
+While at the ranch the Judge had spent much of his time in communicating
+to Hollis his views of the situation in Union County and in acquainting
+him with the elder Hollis's intentions regarding the newspaper. Hollis
+had made some inquiries on his own account, with the result that when he
+reached the _Kicker_ office this morning he felt that he had
+acquired a good and sufficient knowledge of the situation.
+
+Looking over the old copy of the _Kicker_ he studied some of the
+advertisements. Evidently some Dry Bottom merchants had been brave
+enough to antagonize Dunlavey by advertising in the _Kicker_. With
+this copy of the _Kicker_ in hand Hollis rose from his desk, told
+Potter he was going out, and proceeded to visit some of the merchants
+whose advertisements appeared in the paper, hoping that their bravery
+still abided with them. He made a good solicitor. Some of the merchants
+flatly refused, saying they did not care to risk Dunlavey's anger.
+Others demurred, confidentially announcing that they had never
+considered the paper seriously and that there was really no good in
+advertising in Dry Bottom anyway--the town wasn't big enough. Half a
+dozen listened quietly while he told them that the _Kicker_ was in
+Dry Bottom to stay and then smiled and told him to run their
+advertisements. They rather admired his "nerve" and were not afraid of
+Dunlavey.
+
+At noon Hollis stepped into a restaurant called the Alhambra. While he
+ate he was critically inspected; the Alhambra swarmed with customers,
+and the proprietor quietly informed him that he was a "drawin' card" and
+hoped he'd "grub" there regularly. In return for his promise to do so
+Hollis secured his advertisement.
+
+Leaving the Alhambra he returned to the _Kicker_ office, seating
+himself again at his desk. The sun came slantwise through the window
+full upon him; the heat was oppressive; the flint-like alkali dust
+sifted through the crevices in the building and settled over everything
+in the room; myriad flies droned in the white sunlight before the open
+door. He heard nothing, felt nothing, saw nothing--for his thoughts were
+miles away, in an upper story of a big office building in the East from
+whose windows he even now looked down upon a bustling city.
+
+Life would be so different here. He heard a sound behind him and turned.
+Dunlavey was standing just inside the door, his great arms folded over
+his chest. He had been watching Hollis, his eyes narrowed with a
+cynically humorous expression.
+
+Hollis knew that by this time Dunlavey must have discovered his
+identity. He swung slowly around in his chair, his face wearing an
+expression of whimsical amusement as he greeted his victim of a few days
+previous.
+
+"Welcome to the _Kicker_ office," he said quietly.
+
+Dunlavey did not move. Evidently he had expected another sort of
+greeting and was slightly puzzled over Hollis's manner. He remained
+motionless and Hollis had an opportunity to study him carefully and
+thoroughly. His conclusions were brief and comprehensive. They were
+expressed tersely to himself as he waited for Dunlavey to speak: "A
+trickster and a cheat--dangerous."
+
+Dunlavey's eyes flashed metallically for an instant, but immediately the
+humorous cynicism came into them again. "I don't think you mean all of
+that," he said evenly.
+
+Hollis laughed. "I am not in the habit of saying things that I do not
+mean," he said quietly. "I am here to do business and I am ready to talk
+to anybody who wants to do business with me."
+
+Dunlavey's hands fell to his sides and were shoved into his capacious
+trousers' pockets. "Right," he said tersely: "that's what I'm here
+for--to talk business."
+
+He pulled a chair over close to Hollis and seated himself in it, moving
+deliberately, a certain grim reserve in his manner. Hollis watched him,
+marveling at his self-control. He reflected that it required will power
+of a rare sort to repress or conceal the rage which he surely must feel
+over his humiliation of two weeks before. That Dunlavey was able to so
+mask his feelings convinced Hollis that he had to deal with a man of
+extraordinary character.
+
+"I recollect meeting you the other day," said Dunlavey after he had
+become seated. He smiled with his lips, his eyes glittering again. "I'll
+say that we got acquainted then. There ain't no need for us to shake
+hands now." He showed his teeth in a mirthless grin. "I didn't know you
+then, but I know you now. You're Jim Hollis's boy."
+
+Hollis nodded. Dunlavey continued evenly: "Your father and me wasn't
+what you might call bosom friends. I reckon Judge Graney has told you
+that--if he ain't you've heard it from some one else. It don't make any
+difference. So there won't be any misunderstanding I'll tell you that I
+ain't figgering on you and me hitching up to the mutual friendship wagon
+either. I might say that we wasn't introduced right." He grinned evilly.
+"But I ain't letting what happened interfere with the business that's
+brought me here to-day. I've heard that you're intending to start the
+_Kicker_ again; that you're figgering on staying here and running
+the Circle Bar. What I'm here for is to buy you out. I'm offering you
+fifteen thousand dollars for the Circle Bar and this damn newspaper."
+
+Dunlavey had lost a little of the composure which had characterized his
+actions since entering the office and the last words of his speech had
+writhed venomously through his lips.
+
+Hollis's face betrayed absolutely no emotion. Though Dunlavey's visit to
+the _Kicker_ office had surprised him he was not surprised at his
+offer for the ranch and the newspaper, for according to Judge Graney he
+had made some such offer to the elder Hollis. Coming now, with an
+addition of five thousand dollars, Dunlavey's offer seemed to advertise
+his reluctance to continue the war that he had waged. Hollis appreciated
+the situation. If Dunlavey were to buy him off now there would come an
+end to the warfare that had already been an expensive one for the
+interests represented by Dunlavey. Likewise, the acceptance of the offer
+would give Hollis an opportunity to withdraw gracefully. Dunlavey had
+placed the issue squarely before him. The young man held his future in
+his hands and he did not reply at once.
+
+He sat silent for a few moments, studying the coarse, brutal face of the
+man seated before him, noting that his under jaw had come forward
+slightly, and that the cold, hard glitter had come again in his eyes.
+However, Hollis's silence meant nothing beyond the fact that he was
+going slowly over the history of the fight between his father and the
+man who sat there representing the interests which had begun the war. He
+had no thought of surrendering--that would be dishonorable. He was
+merely revolving the situation in his mind, considering how best to word
+his refusal. He did not want to appear belligerent; he did not want to
+precipitate war. But he did want Dunlavey to know that he purposed to
+have his rights; he wanted Dunlavey to know that he could not be
+frightened into surrendering them. He clasped one hand over his knee and
+leaned back in his chair, his gaze meeting Dunlavey's steadily.
+
+"Dunlavey," he said quietly, "what is the actual value of the Circle Bar
+ranch?"
+
+Dunlavey smiled blandly. "You couldn't find any man around these parts
+to take it at any price," he returned.
+
+"Why?" questioned Hollis.
+
+Dunlavey grinned mysteriously. "I reckon you know why," he returned;
+"you're pretty much of a tenderfoot, but I reckon Judge Graney has put
+you wise to the situation. There ain't nobody wants to buy the Circle
+Bar except me."
+
+"Why?" persisted Hollis.
+
+"I reckon you know that too," laughed Dunlavey. "It ain't no secret. The
+Cattlemen's Association is running things in this here county and it
+ain't wanting anyone to buy the Circle Bar except me. And nobody is fool
+enough to antagonize the Association. That's the why, if you want to
+know real bad."
+
+"You are frank about it at any rate," conceded Hollis smiling slightly.
+"But that doesn't get us anywhere. What I am trying to get at is this:
+what would the Circle Bar bring in cash if the Cattlemen's Association
+ceased to be a factor in the county?" Dunlavey grinned broadly. "For a
+tenderfoot you're real amusing," he derided. "There ain't nobody out
+here crazy enough to think that the Cattlemen's Association will ever be
+put out of business!"
+
+Hollis's lips curled a little, but his gaze was still steady.
+
+"That's evasion, Dunlavey," he said quietly. "You will remember that I
+asked you what the Circle Bar would bring 'if' the Association ceased to
+be a factor."
+
+Dunlavey favored Hollis with a perplexed grin. "I don't know what
+difference that makes," he returned. "We're dealing with what's before
+us now--we ain't considering what might be. But if you want to know my
+personal opinion it's that the Circle Bar might bring thirty thousand."
+
+"Thanks," said Hollis dryly; "that's getting somewhere. And now we'll be
+able to talk business. We've got thirty thousand to start with. I am
+told that when the Association began its war against my father he was
+rather prosperous. Usually he rounded up about two thousand head of
+cattle. But we'll call it a thousand. We'll say that they brought about
+thirty dollars a head, which would make an income of thirty thousand
+dollars a year, gross. We'll deduct fifty per cent for operating
+expenses, losses, and so on. That would leave about fifteen thousand.
+You've been fighting the Circle Bar for several years. We'll call it
+five. Five times fifteen thousand is seventy-five thousand. That
+represents the sum which my father would have made from the Circle Bar
+if you had not fought him. Add to that the thirty thousand which you
+admit would be a fair figure for the ranch if the Association were
+eliminated as a factor, and we have a total of one hundred and five
+thousand dollars." He smiled and leaned a little farther back in his
+chair, narrowing his eyes at Dunlavey. "Now we have reached a point
+where we can get somewhere. I'll take one hundred thousand dollars for
+the Circle Bar."
+
+The calm announcement had no effect upon Dunlavey except to cause him to
+grin derisively.
+
+"For a tenderfoot you're pretty slick," he allowed, his teeth showing.
+"You've figgered it out so that it sounds right reasonable. But you've
+forgot one thing. The Cattlemen's Association ain't eliminated. It says
+that the Circle Bar is worth fifteen thousand. You'll take that or----"
+He smiled grimly, holding back the threat.
+
+"I think I know what you mean," said Hollis quietly, without changing
+color. "You mean that the Cattlemen's Association will continue its
+fight and eventually ruin the Circle Bar. Perhaps it will--no man can
+tell what lies in the future. But I can tell you this: you can't retard
+progress."
+
+"No?" said Dunlavey with an irritating drawl.
+
+Hollis smiled composedly. He spoke without bitterness. "Dunlavey," he
+said, "I'm going to tell you something which you perhaps know but will
+not admit. Your Association has been successful in pulling the strings
+which make the politicians at Washington jump to do your bidding. I
+don't accuse you of buying them, but in any event they have greased the
+ways over which your Association has slipped to power. And now you think
+that the impetus you have gained will carry you along indefinitely. It
+won't. Everything in this world runs its natural course and when it does
+there comes an end.
+
+"If you were endowed with the average foresight you would be able to see
+that things cannot always go on the way they have. The law must come. It
+is inevitable. Its coming will be facilitated by such organizations as
+the Cattlemen's Association and by such men as you. Back in the East the
+forces of Good and Bad are battling. The forces of Good will be
+victorious. The government at Washington is familiar with the conditions
+that exist here and sooner or later will be compelled to act. When it
+does the small cattle owner will receive protection."
+
+"We're holding tight till the law comes," sneered Dunlavey; "which won't
+be soon."
+
+"Perhaps not," admitted Hollis dryly; "good things come slowly.
+Meanwhile, if you don't care to accept my figure for the Circle Bar I
+shall follow your example and hold tight until the law comes."
+
+"Meaning that you won't sell, I suppose?" sneered Dunlavey.
+
+"Meaning just that," returned Hollis quietly. "I am going to fight you.
+I have offered the Circle Bar at a fair figure and you have responded
+with threats. I wouldn't sell to you now if you offered one hundred and
+fifty thousand. The Circle Bar is not for sale!"
+
+Dunlavey had not moved. He sat quiet, leaning a little forward, his
+hands resting on his knees, his eyes narrowed to glittering pin-points
+as he watched Hollis. When the latter had concluded he leaned back,
+laughing hoarsely.
+
+"What are you going to do with this damn newspaper?" he demanded.
+
+"The newspaper will be used as a weapon against you," returned Hollis.
+"It will kick loud and long against such organizations as the
+Cattlemen's Association--against such men as you. Ostensibly the
+_Kicker_ will be a Dry Bottom newspaper, but it will appear in
+every city in the East; the matter that appears in it will be reprinted
+in Chicago, in Washington, in New York--in fact in every city in which I
+have a friend engaged in the newspaper business--and I have a number. I
+am going to stir up sentiment against you. I am going to be the Law's
+advance agent!"
+
+Dunlavey rose, his lips curling with contempt. "You make me sick!" he
+sneered. He turned his back and walked to the door, returning and
+standing in front of Hollis, ominously cool and deliberate. "So that's
+the how of it?" he said evenly. "You've come out here looking for fight.
+Well, you'll get it--plenty of it. I owe you something----"
+
+"Wait, Dunlavey," Hollis interrupted, without excitement; "I want you to
+understand that there isn't anything personal in this. I am going to
+fight you because you are a member of the Cattlemen's Association and
+not because you were my father's enemy. I am not afraid of you. I
+suspect that you will try to make things decidedly interesting for me
+from now on and I suppose I ought to be properly troubled. But I am not.
+I shall not be surprised at anything you do. I think that is all. Please
+close the door when you go out."
+
+He turned to the desk, ignoring Dunlavey. Sitting there, his senses
+alert, he heard the door slam. From beyond it came a curse. Silence
+again reigned in the office; Hollis was alone with the dust and the
+heat--and some very original thoughts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE "KICKER" BECOMES AN INSTITUTION
+
+
+It was mid-July--and hot. The sun shone continually; the nights were
+uncomfortable, stifling. The dust was everywhere and grew deeper and
+lighter as the days passed. Water grew scarce; cattle suffered, lowing
+throughout the night, during the day searching the bogs and water holes
+for drops of moisture. Men looked up at the clear, cloudless sky and
+prayed--and cursed--for rain. The rain did not come. It was one long,
+continuous nightmare of heat.
+
+The _Kicker_ had appeared four times--on Saturdays--on time.
+Telegraphic communication with the outside world had been established.
+Potter had taken up his residence at the Circle Bar. War had been
+declared between the _Kicker_ and the Lazette _Eagle_. Hollis
+had written an argumentative essay on the virtues of Dry Bottom as a
+town, dwelling upon its superiority over Lazette. The editor of the
+_Eagle_ had replied with some bitterness, setting forth in detail
+why Dry Bottom did _not_ compare with Lazette. As the editor of the
+_Eagle_ mentioned population and civic spirit in his bill of
+particulars the war promised to be of long duration--questions of
+superiority between spirited persons are never settled. And Hollis had
+succeeded in arousing the spirit of Dry Bottom's citizens. They began to
+take some interest in the _Kicker_. Many subscribed; all read it.
+
+From the "local" columns of the paper one might have discovered that
+many public and private improvements were contemplated. Among these the
+following items were of the greatest interest:
+
+    Steps are being taken by the government toward the erection of a
+    fence around the court house grounds. Judge Graney is
+    contemplating a lawn and flowers. When these improvements are
+    completed there will be no comparison between our court house and
+    the dilapidated hovel which disgraces the county seat of Colfax.
+    The Lazette _Eagle_ please notice.
+
+              *       *       *       *       *
+
+    William Dunn, the proprietor of the Alhambra eating house,
+    announces that in the near future he will erect a new sign.
+    Thereafter the Alhambra will be known as the Alhambra
+    Restaurant. This is a step forward. We have been informed that
+    there is no restaurant in Lazette. Good boy, Dunn.
+
+              *       *       *       *       *
+
+    Chet Miller's general merchandise store is to be repainted
+    throughout. Chet is public spirited.
+
+Everybody of any importance in Dry Bottom received weekly mention of
+some sort in the _Kicker_. Chet Miller was heard to say that the
+_Kicker_ was a "hummer," and no one ascribed his praise of the
+paper to thanks for the appearance of his name therein, for all who
+would have criticized were silenced by the appearance of their own
+names.
+
+In the fourth issue of the paper appeared several new advertisements.
+Judicious personal mention and lively news locals had aroused public
+spirit to a point where it ignored thoughts of Dunlavey's displeasure.
+
+Upon the Saturday which had marked the first issue of the _Kicker_
+under Hollis's ownership he had employed a circulation manager. That
+afternoon on the street near the _Kicker_ office he had almost
+collided with a red haired youth of uncertain age who had bounded out
+through the door of a private dwelling. In order to keep from knocking
+the youth over Hollis was forced to seize him by the arms and literally
+lift him off his feet. While in the air the youth's face was close to
+Hollis's and both grinned over the occurrence. When Hollis set the youth
+down he stood for an instant, looking up into Hollis's face and a grin
+of amusement overspread his own.
+
+"Shucks!" he said slowly. "If it ain't the tenderfoot editor!"
+
+"That's just who it is," returned Hollis with a smile.
+
+The youth grinned as he looked critically at Hollis. "You gittin' out
+that there paper to-day, mister?" he questioned.
+
+"Right now," returned Hollis.
+
+"Bully!" exclaimed the youth. He surveyed Hollis with a frank
+admiration. "They said you wouldn't have the nerve to do it," he said;
+"but, say! I reckon they ain't got you sized up right!"
+
+Hollis smiled, remembering that though the paper had been printed it was
+not yet distributed. He placed a hand on the youth's shoulder.
+
+"Have you got nerve enough to pass the _Kicker_ around to the
+people of this town?" he questioned.
+
+"I reckon," grinned the youth. "I was comin' down to ast you for the job
+when you bumped into me. I used to peddle them for your dad. My name's
+Jiggs Lenehan--mebbe you've heard of me?"
+
+Hollis smiled. "The question of delivering the _Kicker_ was one of
+the details that I overlooked," he said. "But fortunately it is arranged
+now. Henceforth, Jiggs, you are the _Kicker's_ official circulation
+manager. Likewise, if you care to add to your income, you can help
+Potter around the office."
+
+So it had been arranged, and Jiggs entered upon his duties with an
+energy that left little doubt in his employer's mind that he would prove
+a valuable addition to the force.
+
+In Hollis's "Salutatory" to the people of Dry Bottom he had announced in
+a quiet, unostentatious paragraph that while he had not come to Dry
+Bottom for a free fight, he would permit no one to tread on his toes.
+His readers' comprehension of the metaphor was complete--as was
+evidenced by the warm hand-clasps which he received from citizens who
+were not in sympathy with the Dunlavey regime. It surprised him to find
+how many such there were in town. He was convinced that all this element
+needed was a leader and he grimly determined to step quietly into that
+position himself.
+
+The second issue of the _Kicker_ was marked by a more aggressive
+spirit--a spirit engendered by the sympathetic reception of the first
+issue. In it he stated concisely his views of the situation in Union
+County, telling his readers that the best interests of the community
+demanded that Dunlavey's evil influence be wiped out. This article was
+headed: "Dry Bottom's Future," and won him many friends.
+
+The third issue contained stronger language, and the fourth was
+energetically aggressive. As he had decided before the first appearance
+of the paper, he took a certain number of copies of each issue, folded
+them neatly, stamped and addressed them, and mailed them to a number of
+newspapers throughout the country whose editors he knew. He also
+directed copies to a number of his friends in the East--to the president
+of his college, and last, to the Secretary of the Interior at
+Washington, who had formerly resided near him in Boston, and with whom
+he had a long acquaintance. There had been a change of administration
+the fall previous and he was certain that the new administration would
+not ignore the situation. To the Secretary, and also to a number of his
+friends, he wrote personal letters, explaining in detail the exact
+condition of affairs in Union County.
+
+He had not seen Dunlavey since the day the latter had come to the
+_Kicker_ office to negotiate for the purchase of the paper. On
+several of his rides to and from the Circle Bar ranch he had seen signs
+of life at the Circle Cross; once or twice he thought he saw someone
+watching him from a hill on the Circle Cross side of the Rabbit-Ear, but
+of this he was not quite certain, for the hill-top was thickly wooded
+and the distance great.
+
+He had been warned by Norton not to ride too often over the same trail
+lest Dunlavey send someone to ambush him.
+
+Hollis had laughed at the warning, though thanking Norton for it. He
+told his range boss that he did not anticipate any immediate trouble
+with Dunlavey.
+
+"It all depends on how Big Bill feels," returned Norton with a grim
+smile. "If you've got him mad there's no telling. And there are plenty
+of places between here and Dry Bottom where a man might be shot from
+ambush. And nobody'd ever know who done it. I wouldn't ride the Dry
+Bottom trail every day. There's the old Coyote trail, that takes you
+past the Razor-Back and through Devil's Hollow to Little Canyon an'
+along the hills to the other side."
+
+He laughed. "There's only one thing you need to be afraid of if you take
+the Coyote trail, an' that's Ed Hazelton. Ed gets spells when he's plum
+crazy. He's Nellie Hazelton's brother--her that Dunlavey was pesterin'
+when you slammed him." He laughed again, significantly. "Though if Ed
+knowed you was the man who took his sister's part you wouldn't need to
+be much scared of him--I've heard that he's got a pretty good memory for
+his friends--even when he's off."
+
+Hollis had not told Norton of his experience in Devil's Hollow, nor did
+he tell him now. But he followed his advice about taking the Coyote
+trail, and the following day when he made the trip to Dry Bottom he
+returned that way. About half way between Dry Bottom and the Circle Bar
+he came upon a little adobe cabin snuggling an arroyo through which
+trickled a small stream of water.
+
+It was an ideal location for a small rancher, and Hollis observed that
+the buildings were in order--evidently Nellie Hazelton and her brother
+were provident. He saw some cattle grazing on the edge of a small grass
+plateau which began at the slope of the arroyo through which the stream
+of water ran. A shout reached his ears as he sat motionless in the
+saddle looking about him, and he saw Ed Hazelton on the plateau among
+the cattle, waving a hand to him. The young man began to descend the
+side of the plateau, but before he had fairly started Nellie Hazelton
+had come out of the front door of the cabin and stood on the edge of the
+small porch, smiling at him.
+
+"So you did come, after all?" was her greeting.
+
+Hollis spurred his pony closer and sat smiling down at her. "I don't
+think anything could have stopped me after your invitation," he returned
+quickly.
+
+"Oh!" she said. The sudden color that came into her face told of her
+confusion. It betrayed the fact that she knew he had come because of
+her. Her brother's invitation in Devil's Hollow had been merely formal;
+there had been another sort of invitation in her eyes as she and her
+brother had left him that day.
+
+"Won't you get off your horse?" she said while he still sat motionless.
+"It's quite a while before sundown and you have plenty of time to reach
+the Circle Bar before dark."
+
+He had determined to discover something of the mystery that surrounded
+her and her brother, and so he was off his pony quickly and seating
+himself in a chair that she drew out of the cabin for him. By the time
+her brother had reached the porch Hollis was stretched comfortably out
+in the chair and was answering several timid questions concerning his
+opinion of the country and his new responsibilities.
+
+She was glad he liked the country, she said. It was wonderful. In the
+five years they had been here they had enjoyed it thoroughly--that was,
+of course, barring the trouble they had had with Dunlavey.
+
+Of their trouble with Dunlavey Hollis would hear much later, he told
+himself. At present he was more interested in discovering something
+about her and her brother, though he did not wish to appear inquisitive.
+Therefore his voice was politely casual.
+
+"Then you are not a Westerner?" he said.
+
+She smiled mournfully. "No," she returned; "we--Ed and I--were raised in
+Illinois, near Springfield. We came out here five years ago after--after
+mother died." Her voice caught. "Sometimes it seems terribly lonesome
+out here," she added; "when I get to thinking of--of our other home.
+But"--she smiled bravely through the sudden moisture that had come into
+her eyes--"since Ed got hurt I don't have much time to think of myself.
+Poor fellow."
+
+Hollis was silent. He had never had a sister but he could imagine how
+she must feel over the misfortune that had come to her brother. It must
+be a sacrifice for her to remain in this country, to care for a brother
+who must be a great burden to her at times, to fight the solitude, the
+hardships, to bear with patience the many inconveniences which are
+inevitable in a new, unsettled country. He felt a new admiration for her
+and a profound sympathy.
+
+"I think that you must be a very brave young woman," he said earnestly.
+
+"Oh!" she returned with a sudden, illuminating smile. "It isn't hard to
+be brave. But at times I find it hard to be patient."
+
+"Patience is one of the cardinal virtues," declared Hollis, "but it
+takes bravery of a rare sort to remain in this country, surrounded with
+the care----"
+
+Her fingers were suddenly over her lips warningly, and he saw Ed
+Hazelton nearing the porch.
+
+"I wouldn't have him know for the world," she said rapidly. "It isn't a
+care to look after someone you love."
+
+Hollis smiled grimly at the reproach in her voice and rose to greet her
+brother.
+
+The latter seemed to be quite recovered from the attack he had suffered
+in Devil's Hollow and talked freely and intelligently of affairs in the
+country. Hollis found that on the whole he was a well informed young
+man--quiet, modest, and apparently well able to give a good account of
+himself in spite of his affliction. He was bitter against Dunlavey and
+thanked Hollis warmly for his defense of his sister.
+
+At sundown Hollis departed, telling the Hazeltons that since he was
+their neighbor he would not neglect to see them occasionally. As he rode
+away into the dusk Nellie Hazelton stood on the porch smilingly waving
+her hand at him. As he threaded his way through the rapidly growing
+darkness he felt an unaccountable satisfaction over the fact that he had
+elected to remain in Union County; that henceforth his fortunes were to
+be linked with those of a brave young woman who had also accepted the
+robes of sacrifice and who was committed to war against their common
+enemy--Dunlavey. Curiously, during the past few days he had felt a
+decided change in his attitude toward life. His old ambition was no
+longer uppermost in his mind--it had been crowded out of his existence.
+In its place had been erected a new pinnacle of promise. A seat among
+the mighty was a worthy goal. Yet the lowly bench of sacrifice was not
+without its compensations.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+CONCERNING THE "SIX-O'CLOCK"
+
+
+On Friday evening previous to the Saturday on which the _Kicker_
+was to be issued for the fifth consecutive time by Hollis, Potter did
+not ride out to the Circle Bar. There still remained some type to be set
+and Potter had declared his intention of completing the work and staying
+overnight in town. Hollis had acquiesced and had departed for the Circle
+Bar alone.
+
+When he reached Dry Bottom the following morning he found a small crowd
+of people in front of the _Kicker_ office. During the night someone
+had posted a written notice on the front door, and when Hollis
+dismounted from his pony there were perhaps a dozen interested citizens
+grouped about the door, reading the notice. There were several of the
+town's merchants and a number of cowboys--new arrivals and those who had
+remained overnight to gamble and participate in the festivities that
+were all-night features of the dives. There were also the usual loafers,
+who constitute an element never absent in any group of idlers in any
+street. All, however, gave way before Hollis and allowed him to reach
+the door without molestation, though in passing he observed significant
+grins on several faces.
+
+The notice was written in a bold, legible hand.
+
+"Mr. Hollis:"--it read, the prefix under-scored--"The express leaves
+town this afternoon at six o'clock--goin' east. Better be on it."
+
+                                                    Signed--"Y. Z."
+
+Hollis read the notice and then turned and quietly surveyed his
+watchful, interested audience. He smiled grimly, seeing several faces
+which, though plainly expressing amusement, seemed quietly sympathetic.
+He felt that these were wishing him success, though doubting his ability
+to cope with his enemies. Other faces were plainly antagonistic in
+expression. He looked at both for an instant and then turned again to
+the notice and producing a pencil printed boldly on its face the slogan
+he had devised:
+
+_"We Herald the Coming of the Law! The Kicker is Here to Stay!"_
+
+And below he indulged in this sarcasm: _"Don't hold the express on my
+account!"_
+
+                                              Signed--"KENT HOLLIS"
+
+Leaving his audience to stare after him Hollis pushed open the door of
+the office and entered.
+
+He found Potter bending over the imposing table, hard at work on one of
+the forms. Three other forms, locked and ready for the press, stood in a
+corner. Potter looked up and smiled as his chief entered.
+
+"See the notice on the door?" he inquired.
+
+"Some of Dunlavey's work, I suppose," returned Hollis.
+
+"Well, yes. I suppose Dunlavey is back of it. But Yuma tacked the sign
+up." He smiled soberly as Hollis flashed a grin at him. "They tried hard
+last night to get me to drink. Of course their purpose was to get me
+drunk so that I wouldn't be able to get the paper out today. I am not
+going to tell you how hard I had to fight myself to resist the
+temptation to drink. But you can see for yourself that I succeeded. The
+_Kicker_ will be ready to go to press in an hour."
+
+He felt Hollis's hand patting his shoulder approvingly and he continued,
+a little hoarsely. "I took one drink at the Fashion last night after I
+got through here. Then I came back and went to sleep. I am a light
+sleeper and when some time after midnight I heard a sound at the door I
+got up and peered out of the window. I saw Yuma tacking up the notice. I
+suppose Dunlavey wrote it." He looked at Hollis with a whimsical
+expression. "I suppose you are going to take the express?" he inquired.
+
+"Tried to get you drunk, did they?" shaking his head negatively to
+Potter's question, a smile on his face. "I can't understand that game,"
+he continued, soberly. "Of course getting you drunk would have prevented
+the appearance of the paper on scheduled time. But if they wanted to do
+serious damage--of course I mean to the paper," he apologized with a
+grim smile, "why didn't they come down here--some of them--during your
+absence, and smash things up? That would have made the thing sure for
+them."
+
+Potter laughed mirthlessly. "Of course they could have done that," he
+said; "it would have been easy--will be easy any time. But it wouldn't
+be artistic, would be coarse in fact. Dunlavey doesn't do things that
+way. If they smash your stuff, destroy your plant here, ruin your type
+and press, and so forth, they invite sympathy in your behalf. But if
+they prevent the appearance of your paper without having done any damage
+to your plant they accomplish something--they expose you to ridicule.
+And in this country ridicule is a potent weapon--even if it involves
+nothing more serious than a drunken printer."
+
+Hollis shook Potter's hand in silence. He had expected violence from
+Dunlavey; long before this he had expected him to show his hand, to
+attempt some covert and damaging action. And he had been prepared to
+fight to get the _Kicker_ out. He had not expected subtlety from
+Dunlavey.
+
+He went to his desk and sat in the chair, looking out through the window
+at the crowd that still lingered in front of the office. Most of the
+faces wore grins. Plainly they were amused, but Hollis saw that the
+amusement was of a grim sort. They appreciated the situation and enjoyed
+its humor but felt the tragedy behind it. Probably most of them were
+acquainted with Dunlavey's methods; some of them probably knew of the
+attempt that had been made to incapacitate Potter. Certainly those of
+them that did know had seen the failure of the attempt and were now
+speculating upon Dunlavey's next move. Looking out of the window Hollis
+felt that some of his audience must be wondering whether the editor of
+the _Kicker_ would pay any attention to the notice on the door.
+Would he scare?
+
+Hollis had already decided that he would not "scare." He grinned at
+several of the men who watched him and then turned and instructed Potter
+to take down a column of type on the first page of the paper to make
+room for an article that he intended to write. Then he seized a pen and
+wrote a red hot defiance directed at the authors of the notice, which
+Potter set up under the heading:
+
+"Why the Editor of the _Kicker_ Won't Take the Express."
+
+In clear, terse language he told his audience his reasons. This was
+America; he was an American, and he didn't purpose to allow the
+Cattlemen's Association--or any other association, gang, or
+individual--to dictate the policy of his paper or influence his private
+actions. Least of all did he purpose to allow anyone to "run him out of
+town." He printed the notice entire, adding his answer, assuring readers
+that he was sending copies of the _Kicker_ to every newspaper in
+the East and that notices such as had been affixed to his door would
+react against the authors. He ended with the prophecy that the law would
+come into Union County and that meanwhile the _Kicker_ purposed to
+fight.
+
+At noon Hollis took the usual number of copies to the station and mailed
+them. Walking down the street on his return from the station he
+attracted much attention. Men stood in the open doorways of saloons
+watching him, a number openly jeered; others sent subtle jibes after
+him. Still others were silent, their faces expressing amusement.
+
+But he looked at none of them. He swung along the board walk, his face a
+little pale, his lips tightly closed, determined to pay no attention to
+the jeers that reached his ears.
+
+When he passed the Fashion there were a number of men draped along its
+front; and he was conscious of many grins. Passing the men he heard low
+laughter and profane reference which caused his cheeks to redden. But he
+walked steadily on. Near the _Kicker_ office he met Jiggs Lenehan.
+Followed by the youth he reached the office to find that Potter had
+completed the press work and that several hundred copies of the paper,
+the ink still moist on its pages, were stacked in orderly array on the
+imposing stone. In a very brief time Jiggs burst out of the office door,
+a bundle of papers under his arm, and began the work of distribution.
+Standing back from the window with Potter, Hollis watched Jiggs until
+the latter reached the crowd in front of the Fashion saloon. Then all
+that Hollis could see of him was his red head. But that trade was brisk
+was proved by the press around Jiggs--the youth was passing out papers
+at a rapid rate and soon nearly every man in the crowd about the Fashion
+was engaged in reading, or,--if this important feature of his education
+had been neglected--in questioning his neighbor concerning the things
+that appeared in the paper.
+
+Presently Jigg's customers in front of the Fashion were all supplied.
+Then other purchasers appeared. Soon the _Kicker_ was being read
+by--it seemed--nearly every grown person in Dry Bottom. Business was
+suspended. Down the street men were congregated about the doors of many
+of the stores; others were sitting in doorways, still others leaned
+against buildings; some, not taking time to search for support, read
+while walking, or stood motionless on the board sidewalks, satisfying
+their curiosity.
+
+Hollis watched through the window until he began to be certain that
+every person in town was supplied with a paper. Then with a grim smile
+he left the window and sought his chair beside the desk. He was
+satisfied. Dunlavey had made the first aggressive movement and the fight
+was on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+HOW A BAD MAN LEFT THE "KICKER" OFFICE
+
+
+It was about one o'clock in the afternoon when the _Kicker_
+appeared on Dry Bottom's street. At about five minutes after one, Potter
+left the front of the office and walked to the rear room where he halted
+at the imposing stone. There he proceeded to "take down" the four forms.
+This done he calmly began distributing type.
+
+While Potter worked Hollis sat very quietly at his desk in the front
+office, his arms folded, one hand supporting his chin, his lips forming
+straight lines, his eyes narrowed with a meditative expression.
+Occasionally Potter glanced furtively at him, his eyes filled with
+mingled expressions of sympathy, admiration, and concern.
+
+Potter appreciated his chief's position. It meant something for a man of
+Hollis's years and training to bury himself in this desolate sink-hole
+of iniquity; to elect to carry on an unequal war with interests that
+controlled the law machinery of the county and Territory--whose power
+extended to Washington. No doubt the young man was even now brooding
+over the future, planning his fight, pessimistically considering his
+chances of success. Potter's sympathy grew. He thought of approaching
+his chief with a word of encouragement. But while he hesitated, mentally
+debating the propriety of such an action, Hollis turned quickly and
+looked fairly at him, his forehead perplexed.
+
+"Potter," he remarked, "I suppose there isn't a good brain specialist in
+this section of the country?"
+
+"Why--why----" began Potter. Then he stopped and looked at his chief in
+wordless astonishment. His sympathy had been wasted.
+
+"No," laughed Hollis, divining the cause of the compositor's
+astonishment, "personally I have no use for a brain specialist. I was
+thinking of some other person."
+
+"Not me?" grinned Potter from behind his type case. He flushed a little
+at the thought of how near he had come to offering encouragement to a
+man who had not been in need of it, who, evidently, had not been
+thinking of the big fight at all. "Perhaps I need one," he added, eyeing
+Hollis whimsically; "a moment ago I thought you were in the dumps on
+account of the situation here--you seemed rather disturbed. It surprised
+me considerably to find that you had not been thinking of Dunlavey at
+all."
+
+"No," admitted Hollis gravely, "I was not thinking of Dunlavey. I was
+wondering if something couldn't be done for Ed Hazelton."
+
+"Something ought to be done for him," declared Potter earnestly. "I have
+watched that young man closely and I am convinced that with proper care
+and treatment he would recover fully. But I never heard of a specialist
+in this section--none, in fact, nearer than Chicago. And I've forgotten
+his name."
+
+"It is Hammond," supplied Hollis. "I've been thinking of him. I knew his
+son in college. I am going to write to him."
+
+He turned to his desk and took up a pen, while Potter resumed his work
+of distributing type.
+
+About half an hour later Jiggs Lenehan strolled into the office wearing
+a huge grin on his face. "'Pears like everybody in town wants to read
+the _Kicker_ to-day," he said with a joyous cackle. "Never had so
+much fun sellin' them. Gimme some more," he added breathlessly; "they's
+a gang down to the station howlin' for them. Say," he yelled at Hollis
+as he went out of the door with a big bundle of _Kickers_ under his
+arm, "you're cert'nly some editor man!" He grinned admiringly and widely
+as he disappeared.
+
+Hollis finished his letter to Hammond and then leaned back in his chair.
+For half an hour he sat there, looking gravely out into the street and
+then, answering a sudden impulse, he rose and strode to the door.
+
+"Going down to the court house," he informed Potter.
+
+He found Judge Graney in his room, seated at the big table, a copy of
+the _Kicker_ spread out in front of him. At his appearance the
+Judge pushed back his chair and regarded him with an approving smile.
+
+"Well, Hollis," he said, "I see Dunlavey has played the first card."
+
+"He hasn't taken the first trick," was the young man's quick reply.
+
+"Fortunately not," laughed the judge. He placed a finger on a column in
+the _Kicker_. "This article about the Cattlemen's Association is a
+hummer--if I may be allowed the phrase. A straight, manly citation of
+the facts. It ought to win friends for you."
+
+"I've merely stated the truth," returned Hollis, "and if the article
+seems good it is merely because it defends a principle whose virtue is
+perfectly obvious."
+
+"But only a man who felt strongly could have written it," suggested the
+Judge.
+
+"Perhaps. I admit feeling a deep interest in the question of cattle."
+
+"Your ambition?" slyly insinuated the Judge.
+
+"Is temporarily in abeyance--perhaps permanently."
+
+"Then your original decision about remaining here has been--well,
+strengthened?"
+
+Hollis nodded. The Judge grinned mysteriously. "There is an article on
+the first page of the _Kicker_ which interested me greatly," he
+said. "It concerns the six o'clock train--going east. Do you happen to
+know whether the editor of the _Kicker_ is going to use the
+express?"
+
+Hollis smiled appreciatively. "The editor of the _Kicker_ is going
+to use the express," he admitted, "though not in the manner some people
+are wishing. The usual number of copies of the _Kicker_ are going
+to ride on the express, as are also some very forceful letters to the
+President of the United States and the Secretary of the Interior."
+
+"Good!" said the Judge. He looked critically at Hollis. "I know that you
+are going to remain in Dry Bottom," he said slowly; "I have never
+doubted your courage. But I want to warn you to be careful. Don't make
+the mistake of thinking that the notice which you found on the door of
+the _Kicker_ office this morning is a joke. They don't joke like
+that out here. Of course I know that you are not afraid and that you
+won't run. But be careful--there are men out here who would snuff out a
+human life as quickly as they would the flame of a candle, and with as
+little fear of the consequences. I shouldn't like to hear of you using
+your revolver, but if you do have occasion to use it, use it fast and
+make a good job of it."
+
+"I don't like to use a gun," returned Hollis gravely, "but all the same
+I shall bear your advice in mind." An expression of slight disgust swept
+over his face. "I don't see why men out here don't exhibit a little more
+courage," he said. "They all 'pack' a gun, as Norton says, and all are
+apparently yearning to use one. I don't see what satisfaction there
+could be in shooting a man with whom you have had trouble; it strikes me
+as being a trifle cowardly." He laughed grimly. "For my part," he added,
+"I can get more satisfaction out of slugging a man. Perhaps it isn't so
+artistic as shooting, but you have the satisfaction of knowing that your
+antagonist realizes and appreciates his punishment."
+
+Judge Graney's gaze rested on the muscular frame of the young man. "I
+suppose if all men were built like you there would be less shooting
+done. But unfortunately nature has seen fit to use different molds in
+making her men. Not every man has the strength or science to use his
+fists, nor the courage. But there is one thing that you will do well to
+remember. When you slug a man who carries a gun you only beat him
+temporarily; usually he will wait his chance and use his gun when you
+least expect him."
+
+"I suppose you refer to Yuma Ed and Dunlavey?" suggested Hollis.
+
+"Well, no, not Dunlavey. I have never heard of Dunlavey shooting
+anybody; he plays a finer game. But Yuma Ed, Greasy, Ten Spot, and some
+more who belong to the Dunlavey crowd are professional gun-men and do
+not hesitate to shoot. The chances are that Dunlavey will try to square
+accounts with you in some other manner, but I would be careful of
+Yuma--a blow in the face never sets well on a man of that character."
+
+An hour later, when Hollis sat at his desk in the _Kicker_ office,
+Judge Graney's words were recalled to him. He was thinking of his
+conversation with the Judge when Jiggs Lenehan burst into the office,
+breathless, his face pale and his eyes swimming with news. He was
+trembling With excitement.
+
+"Ten Spot is comin' down here to put you out of business!" he blurted
+out when he could get his breath. "I was in the Fashion an' I heard him
+an' Yuma talkin' about you. Ten Spot is comin' here at six o'clock!"
+
+Hollis turned slowly in his chair and faced the boy. His cheeks whitened
+a little. Judge Graney had been right. Hollis had rather expected at
+some time or other he would have to have it out with Yuma, but he had
+expected he would have to deal with Yuma himself. He smiled a little
+grimly. It made very little difference whether he fought Yuma or some
+other man; when he had elected to remain in Dry Bottom he had realized
+that he must fight somebody--everybody in the Dunlavey crew. He looked
+at his watch and saw that the hands pointed to four. Therefore he had
+two hours to prepare for Ten Spot's coming. He smiled at the boy, looked
+back into the composing room and saw that Potter had ceased his labors
+and was leaning on a type case, watching him soberly. He grinned broadly
+at Potter and turned to Jiggs.
+
+"How many _Kickers_ did you sell?"
+
+"Two hundred an' ten," returned the latter; "everybody bought them." He
+took a step forward; his hands clenching with the excitement that still
+possessed him. "I told you Ten Spot was comin' down here to kill you!"
+he said hoarsely and insistently. "Didn't you hear me?"
+
+"I heard you," smiled Hollis, "and I understand perfectly. But I don't
+think we need to get excited over it. Just how much money did you
+receive for the two hundred and ten papers?"
+
+"Six dollars an' two bits," responded the boy, regarding Hollis
+wonderingly.
+
+"It is yours," Hollis informed him; "there was to be no charge for the
+_Kicker_ to-day."
+
+The boy grinned with pleasure. "Don't you want none of it?" he inquired.
+
+"It is yours," repeated Hollis. He reached out and grasped the boy by
+the arm, drawing him close. "Now tell me what you heard at the Fashion,"
+he said.
+
+Rapidly, but with rather less excitement in his manner than he had
+exhibited on his entrance, the boy related in detail the conversation he
+had overheard at the Fashion. When he had finished Hollis patted him
+approvingly on the back.
+
+"The official circulation manager of the _Kicker_ has made good,"
+he said with a smile. "Now go home and take a good rest and be ready to
+deliver the _Kicker_ next Saturday."
+
+The boy backed away and stood looking at Hollis in surprise. "Why!" he
+said in an awed voice, "you ain't none scared a-tall!"
+
+"I certainly am scared," laughed Hollis; "scared that Ten Spot will
+change his mind before six o'clock. Do you think he will?"
+
+"No!" emphatically declared the boy. "I don't reckon that Ten Spot will
+change his mind a-tall. He'll sure come down here to shoot you!"
+
+"That relieves me," returned Hollis dryly. "Now you go home. But," he
+warned, "don't tell anyone that I am scared."
+
+For an instant the boy looked at Hollis critically, searching his face
+with all a boy's unerring judgment for signs which would tell of
+insincerity. Seeing none, he deliberately stretched a hand out to
+Hollis, his lips wreathing into an approving grin.
+
+"Durned if you ain't the stuff!" he declared. "I'm just bettin' that Ten
+Spot ain't scarin' you none!" Then he backed out of the door and still
+grinning, disappeared.
+
+After Jiggs had gone Hollis turned and smiled at Potter. "I suppose you
+know this man Ten Spot," he said. "Will he come?"
+
+"He will come," returned Potter. His face was pale and his lips quivered
+a little as he continued: "Ten Spot is the worst of Dunlavey's set," he
+said; "a dangerous, reckless taker of human life. He is quick on the
+trigger and a dead shot. He is called Ten Spot because of the fact that
+once, with a gun in each hand, he shot all the spots from a ten of
+hearts at ten paces."
+
+Hollis sat silent, thoughtfully stroking his chin. Potter smiled
+admiringly.
+
+"I know that you don't like to run," he said; "you aren't that kind. But
+you haven't a chance with Ten Spot--unfortunately you haven't had much
+experience with a six-shooter." Potter's hands shook as he tried to
+resume work at the type case. "I didn't think they would have nerve
+enough for that game," he added, advancing again toward Hollis. "I
+rather thought they would try some other plan--something not quite so
+raw. But it seems they have nerve enough for anything. Hollis" he
+concluded dejectedly, "you've got to get out of town before six o'clock
+or Ten Spot will kill you!
+
+"You've got plenty of time," he resumed as Hollis kept silent; "it's
+only a little after four. You can get on your horse and be almost at the
+Circle Bar at six. No one can blame you for not staying--everybody knows
+that you can't handle a gun fast enough to match Ten Spot. Maybe if you
+do light out and don't show up in town for a week or so this thing will
+blow over."
+
+"Thank you very much for that advice, Potter," said Hollis slowly. "I
+appreciate the fact that you are thinking of my safety. But of course
+there is another side to the situation. You of course realize that if I
+run now I am through here--no one would ever take me seriously after it
+had been discovered that I had been run out of town by Ten Spot."
+
+"That's a fact," admitted Potter. "But of course----"
+
+"I think that is settled," interrupted Hollis. "You can't change the
+situation by argument. I've got to face it and face it alone. I've got
+to stay here until Ten Spot comes. If I can't beat him at his game he
+wins and you can telegraph East to my people." He rose and walked to the
+window, his back to the printer.
+
+"You can knock off for to-day, Potter. Jump right on your pony and get
+out to Circle Bar. I wouldn't say anything to Norton or anyone until
+after nine to-night and then if I don't show up at the ranch you will
+know that Ten Spot has got me."
+
+He stood at the window while Potter slowly drew off his apron, carefully
+folded it and tucked it into a corner. He moved very deliberately, as
+though reluctant to leave his chief. Had Hollis shown the slightest sign
+of weakening Potter would have stayed. But watching closely he saw no
+sign of weakness in the impassive face of his chief, and so, after he
+had made his preparations for departure, he drew a deep breath of
+resignation and walked slowly to the back door, where his pony was
+hitched. He halted at the threshold, looking back at his chief.
+
+"Well, good-bye then," he said.
+
+Hollis did not turn. "Good-bye," he answered.
+
+Potter took one step outward, hesitated, and then again faced the front
+of the office.
+
+"Damn it, Hollis," he said hoarsely, "don't wait for Ten Spot to start
+anything; when you see him coming in the door bore him. You've got a
+right to; that's the law in this country. When a man gives you notice to
+leave town you've got a right to shoot him on sight!"
+
+For a moment he stood, awaiting an answer. None came. Potter sighed and
+stepped out through the door, leaving his chief alone.
+
+                   *       *       *       *       *
+
+At one minute to six Hollis pulled out his watch. He sighed, replaced
+the time-piece, and leaned back in his chair. A glance out through the
+window showed him that the street was deserted except for here and there
+a cow pony drooping over one of the hitching rails and a wagon or two
+standing in front of a store. The sun was coming slantwise over the
+roofs; Hollis saw that the strip of shade in front of the _Kicker_
+building had grown to wide proportions. He looked at his watch again. It
+was one minute after six--and still there were no signs of Ten Spot.
+
+A derisive grin appeared on Hollis's face. Perhaps Ten Spot had
+reconsidered. He decided that he would wait until ten minutes after six;
+that would give Ten Spot a decent margin of time for delay.
+
+And then there was a sudden movement and a man stood just inside the
+office door, a heavy revolver in his right hand, its muzzle menacing
+Hollis. The man was tall and angular, apparently about thirty years old,
+with thin, cruel lips and insolent, shifty eyes.
+
+"'Nds up!" he said sharply, swinging the revolver to a threatening
+poise. "It's six o'clock, you tenderfoot ---- ---- ---- ----!"
+
+This was the vile epithet that had been applied to Hollis by Yuma Ed,
+which had been the direct cause of Yuma's downfall the day of Hollis's
+arrival in Dry Bottom. Hollis's eyes flashed, but the man was several
+feet from him and out of reach of his fists. Had Hollis been standing he
+would have had no chance to reach the man before the latter could have
+made use of his weapon. Therefore Hollis remained motionless in his
+chair, catching the man's gaze and holding it steadily with unwavering,
+narrowed eyes.
+
+Though he had waited for the coming of Ten Spot, he had formulated no
+plan of action; he had felt that somehow he would come out of the clash
+with him without injury. He still thought so. In spite of his danger he
+felt that some chance of escape would be offered him. Grimly confident
+of this he smiled at the man, though still holding his gaze, determined,
+if he saw the faintest flicker of decision in his eyes, to duck and
+tackle him regardless of consequences.
+
+"I suppose you are Ten Spot?" he said slowly. He was surprised at the
+steadiness of his voice.
+
+The man grinned, his eyes alert, shifty, filled with a chilling menace.
+"You've got her right, tenderfoot," he said; "'Ten Spot's' m' handle,
+an' if you're a-feelin' like criticizin' of her do her some rapid before
+I starts dealin' out the lead which is in my pritty."
+
+Just how one man could be so entirely remorseless as to shoot another
+when that other man was looking straight into his eyes Hollis could not
+understand. He could readily realize how a man could kill when provoked
+to anger, or when brooding over an injury. But he had done nothing to
+Ten Spot--did not even know him--had never seen him before, and how Ten
+Spot could deliberately shoot him--without provocation--was
+incomprehensible. He was convinced that in order to shoot, Ten Spot must
+work himself into an artificial rage, and he believed that the vile
+epithet which Ten Spot had applied to him immediately upon his entrance
+must be part of his scheme. He was convinced that had he shown the
+slightest resentment over the application of the epithet Ten Spot would
+have shot him down at once. Therefore he resolved to give the man no
+opportunity to work himself into a rage. He smiled again as Ten Spot
+concluded and carelessly twisted himself about in his chair until he was
+in a position to make a quick spring.
+
+"'Ten Spot' is a picturesque name," he remarked quietly, not removing
+his gaze from Ten Spot's eyes for the slightest fraction of a second; "I
+have no criticism to make. I have always made it a point to refrain from
+criticizing my visitors. At least I do not recollect ever having
+criticized a visitor who carried a gun," he concluded with a smile.
+
+Ten Spot's lips curled sarcastically. Apparently he would not swerve in
+his determination to provoke trouble.
+
+"Hell," he said truculently, "that there palaver makes me sick. I reckon
+you're too damn white livered to criticize a man that's lookin' at you.
+There ain't no tenderfoot (here he applied the unprintable epithet
+again) got nerve enough to criticize nothin'!"
+
+Hollis slowly raised his hands and placed them on the arms of his chair,
+apparently to steady himself, but in reality to be ready to project
+himself out of the chair in case he could discern any indication of
+action on Ten Spot's part.
+
+"Ten Spot," he said in a low, even, well controlled voice, conciliatory,
+but filled with a manliness which no man could mistake, "at four o'clock
+this afternoon I heard that you and Yuma Ed were framing up your present
+visit. I am not telling who gave me the information," he added as he saw
+Ten Spot's eyes brighten, "but that is what happened. So you see I know
+what you have come for. You have come to kill me. Is that correct?"
+
+Ten Spot's eyes narrowed--into them had come an appraising, speculative
+glint. He nodded. "You've got her right," he admitted gruffly. "But if
+you knowed why didn't you slope?" He looked at Hollis with a half sneer,
+as though unable to decide whether Hollis was a brave man or merely a
+fool.
+
+Hollis saw the indecision in Ten Spot's eyes and his own brightened. At
+last he had planned a form of action and he cooly estimated the distance
+between himself and Ten Spot. While Hollis had been speaking Ten Spot
+had taken a step forward and he was now not over four or five feet
+distant. Into Ten Spot's eyes had come an amused, disdainful gleam;
+Hollis's quiet, argumentative attitude had disarmed him. This was
+exactly what Hollis had been waiting for.
+
+Ten Spot seemed almost to have forgotten his weapon; it had sagged, the
+muzzle pointing downward--the man's mind had become temporarily diverted
+from his purpose. When he saw Hollis move suddenly forward he remembered
+his gun and tried to swing its muzzle upward, but it was too late.
+Hollis had lunged forward, his left hand closing on Ten Spot's right
+wrist, his right fist reaching Ten Spot's jaw in a full, sweeping,
+crashing uppercut.
+
+The would-be killer did not have even time enough to pull the trigger of
+his six-shooter. It fell from his hand and thudded dully to the floor as
+his knees doubled under him and he collapsed in an inert, motionless
+heap near the door.
+
+With a grim smile on his face Hollis picked up Ten Spot's weapon and
+placed it on the desk. For an instant he stood at the window, looking
+out into the street. Down near the Fashion he saw some men--Yuma Ed
+among them. No doubt they were waiting the sound of the pistol shot
+which would tell them that Ten Spot had disposed of Hollis. Hollis
+grinned widely--Yuma and his gang were due for a surprise. For perhaps a
+minute Hollis stood beside the desk, watching Ten Spot. Then when the
+latter's hands began to twitch and a trace of color appeared in his
+face, Hollis pulled out his own revolver and approached him, standing
+within a few feet of him and looking down at him.
+
+There was no mark on Ten Spot's jaw to show where Hollis's blow had
+landed, for his fist had struck flush on the point, its force directed
+upward. Ten Spot's mouth had been open at the instant and the snapping
+of his teeth from the impact of the blow no doubt had much to do with
+his long period of unconsciousness.
+
+He stirred presently and then with an effort sat up and looked at his
+conqueror with a glance of puzzled wonderment. Seeing Hollis's weapon
+and his own on the desk, the light of past events seemed to filter into
+his bewildered brain. He grinned owlishly, felt of his jaw and then
+bowed his head, a flush of shame overspreading his face.
+
+"Herd-rode!" he said dismally. "Herd-rode, an' by a tenderfoot! Oh,
+Lordy!" He suddenly looked up at Hollis, his eyes flashing with rage and
+defiance.
+
+"Damn your hide, why don't you shoot?" he demanded. He placed his hands,
+palm down, on the floor, preparatory to rising, but ceased his efforts
+when he heard Hollis's voice, coldly humorous:
+
+"I shall shoot you just the instant you get to your feet. I rather think
+that I am running things here now."
+
+Ten Spot sagged back and looked up at him. "Why I reckon you are," he
+said. No method of action having suggested itself to him, he continued
+to sit, watching Hollis narrowly.
+
+The latter retreated to his chair and dropped into it, moving
+deliberately. When he spoke his voice was cold and metallic.
+
+"When you first came into the office," he said, "you applied a vile
+epithet to me. Once after that you did it again. You have asked me why I
+don't shoot you. If you really want me to shoot you you can keep your
+mouth closed for just one minute. If you want to continue to live you
+can tell me that you didn't mean a word of what you said on those two
+occasions. It's up to you." He sat silent, looking steadily at Ten Spot.
+
+The latter fidgeted, shame again reddening his cheeks. "Why," he said
+finally, "I reckon she don't go, tenderfoot. You see, she's only a noma
+de ploom which we uses when we wants to rile somebody. I cert'nly didn't
+mean nothin' by it."
+
+"Thanks," drawled Hollis dryly; "I'll call that sufficient. But you
+certainly did 'rile' me some."
+
+"I reckon I must have done just that," grinned Ten Spot ruefully.
+"You're shorely some she-wolf with them there claws of your'n. An' I
+done laffed at Dunlavey an' Yuma after you'd clawed them." His face
+sobered, his eyes suddenly filling with an expression of defiant
+resignation.
+
+"I reckon when you're done triflin' with me you c'n start to pumpin'
+your lead," he said. "There ain't no use of prolongin' the agony." He
+looked steadily at Hollis, his eyes filling with decision as he again
+placed his hands beside him on the floor to rise.
+
+"You c'n open the ball when you get damn good an' ready," he sneered,
+"but I'm gettin' up right now. I ain't goin' to die off my pins like a
+damn coyote!"
+
+He rose quickly, plainly expecting to be shot down the moment he reached
+his feet. When he discovered that Hollis evidently intended to delay the
+fatal moment he stiffened, his lips twitching queerly.
+
+"Ten Spot," said Hollis quietly, "by apologizing for what you said when
+you came in you have shown that there is a great deal of the man left in
+you despite your bad habits and associations. I am going to show you
+that I think there is enough of the man left in you to trust you with
+your gun."
+
+He turned abruptly to the desk and took up Ten Spot's weapon, holding it
+by the muzzle and presenting it to the latter. Ten Spot looked from the
+weapon to Hollis and back again to the weapon, blank amazement pictured
+on his face. Then he reached out mechanically, taking the weapon and
+holding it in his hands, turning it over and over as though half
+inclined to believe that it was not a revolver at all.
+
+"Chuck full of cattridges, too!" he exclaimed in amazement, as he
+examined the chambers.
+
+"Why, hell----" He crouched and deftly swung the six-shooter around, the
+butt in his hand, his finger resting on the trigger. In this position he
+looked at Hollis.
+
+The latter had not moved, but his own weapon was in his right hand, its
+muzzle covering Ten Spot, and when the latter swung his weapon up Hollis
+smiled grimly at him.
+
+"Using it?" he questioned.
+
+For an instant it seemed that Ten Spot would. An exultant, designing
+expression came into his eyes, he grinned, his teeth showing tigerishly.
+Then suddenly he snapped himself erect and with a single, dexterous
+movement holstered the weapon. Then his right hand came suddenly out
+toward Hollis.
+
+"Shake!" he said. "By ----, you're white!"
+
+Hollis smiled as he returned the hearty handclasp.
+
+"You're cert'nly plum grit," assured Ten Spot as he released Hollis's
+hand and stepped back the better to look at the latter. "But I reckon
+you're some damn fool too. How did you know that I wouldn't turn you
+into a colander when you give me back my gun?"
+
+"I didn't know," smiled Hollis. "I just took a chance. You see," he
+added, "it was this way. I never intended to shoot you. That sort of
+thing isn't in my line and I don't intend to shoot anyone if there is
+any way out of it. But I certainly wasn't going to allow you to shoot
+me." He smiled oddly. "So I watched my chance and slugged you. Then when
+I was certain that you weren't dangerous any more I had to face another
+problem. If I had turned you loose after taking your gun what would you
+have done?"
+
+"I'd have gone out an' rustled another gun an' come back here an'
+salivated you."
+
+"That's just what you would have done," smiled Hollis. "I intend to stay
+in this country, Ten Spot, and if I had turned you loose without an
+understanding you would have shot me at the first opportunity. As it
+stands now you owe me-----"
+
+"As it stands now," interrupted Ten Spot, a queer expression on his
+face, "I'm done shootin' as far as you're concerned." He walked to the
+door, hesitated on the threshold and looked back. "Mister man," he said
+slowly, "mebbe you won't lick Big Bill in this here little mix-up, but
+I'm telling you that you're goin' to give him a damn good run for his
+money! So-long."
+
+He stepped down and disappeared. For a moment Hollis looked after him,
+and then he sat down at the desk, his face softening into a satisfied
+smile. It was something to receive a tribute from a man like Ten Spot.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+THE LOST TRAIL
+
+
+It was after seven o'clock when Hollis mounted his pony in the rear of
+the _Kicker_ office and rode out over the plains toward the Circle
+Bar. He was properly elated by the outcome of his affair with Ten Spot.
+The latter had come to the _Kicker_ office as an enemy looking for
+an opportunity to kill. He had left the office, perhaps not a friend,
+but at least a neutral, sympathetic onlooker, for according to Hollis's
+interpretation of his words at parting he would take no further part in
+Dunlavey's campaign--at least he would do no more shooting.
+
+Hollis was compelled to make a long detour in order to strike the Circle
+Bar trail, and when at seven-thirty o'clock he rode down through a dry
+arroyo toward a little basin which he must cross to reach a ridge that
+had been his landmark during all his trips back and forth from Dry
+Bottom to the Circle Bar, dusk had fallen and the shadows of the
+oncoming night were settling somberly down over the plains.
+
+He rode slowly forward; there was no reason for haste, for he had told
+Potter to say nothing about the reason of his delay in leaving Dry
+Bottom, and Potter would not expect him before nine o'clock. Hollis had
+warmed toward Potter this day; there had been in the old printer's
+manner that afternoon a certain solicitous concern and sympathy that had
+struck a responsive chord in his heart. He was not a sentimentalist, but
+many times during his acquaintance with Potter he had felt a genuine
+pity for the man. It had been this sentiment which had moved him to ask
+Potter to remove temporarily to the Circle Bar, though one consideration
+had been the fact at the Circle Bar he would most of the time be beyond
+the evil influence of Dry Bottom's saloons. That Potter appreciated this
+had been shown by his successful fight against temptation the night
+before, when postponement of the publication of the _Kicker_ would
+have been fraught with serious consequences.
+
+Riding down through the little basin at the end of the arroyo Hollis
+yielded to a deep, stirring satisfaction over the excellent beginning he
+had made in his fight against Dunlavey and the interests behind him.
+Many times he smiled, thinking of the surprise his old friends in the
+East must have felt over the perusal of their copies of the
+_Kicker_; over the information that he--who had been something of a
+figure in Eastern newspaperdom--had become the owner and editor of a
+newspaper in a God-forsaken town in New Mexico, and that at the outset
+he was waging war against interests that ridiculed a judge of the United
+States Court. He smiled grimly. They might be surprised, but they must
+feel, all who knew him, that he would stay and fight until victory
+rewarded him or until black, bitter defeat became his portion. There
+could be no compromise.
+
+When he reached the ridge toward which he had been riding for the
+greater part of an hour night had come. The day had been hot, but there
+had been a slight breeze, and in the _Kicker_ office, with the
+front and rear doors open, he had not noticed the heat very much. But
+just as he reached the ridge he became aware that the breeze had died
+down; that waves of hot, sultry air were rising from the sun-baked
+earth. Usually at this time of the night there were countless stars, and
+now as he looked up into the great, vast arc of sky he saw no stars at
+all except away down in the west in a big rift between some mountains.
+He pulled up his pony and sat motionless in the saddle, watching the
+sky. A sudden awe for the grandeur of the scene filled him. He
+remembered to have seen nothing quite like it in the East.
+
+Back toward Dry Bottom, and on the north and south, rose great, black
+thunderheads with white crests, seeming like mountains with snowcapped
+peaks. Between the thunder-heads were other clouds, of grayish-white,
+fleecy, wind-whipped, weird shapes, riding on the wings of the
+Storm-Kings. Other clouds flanked these, moving slowly and
+majestically--like great ships on the sea--in striking contrast to the
+fleecy, unstable shapes between the thunderheads, which, though rushing
+always onward, were riven and broken by the irresistible force behind
+them. To Hollis it seemed there were two mighty opposing forces at work
+in the sky, marshalling, maneuvering, preparing for conflict. While he
+sat motionless in the saddle watching, a sudden gust of cold wind
+swirled up around him, dashed some fine, flint-like sand against his
+face and into his eyes, and then swept onward. He was blinded for an
+instant, and allowed the reins to drop on his pony's neck while he
+rubbed his eyes with his fingers. He sat thus through an ominous hush
+and then to his ears came a low, distant rumble.
+
+He touched his pony lightly on the flanks with his spurs and headed it
+along the ridge, convinced that a storm was coming and suddenly
+realizing that he was many miles from shelter.
+
+He had traveled only a little distance when clouds of sand and dust,
+wind-driven, enveloped him, blinding him again, stinging his face and
+hands and blotting out the landmarks upon which he depended to guide him
+to the Circle Bar. The sky had grown blacker; even the patch of blue
+that he had seen in the rift between the distant mountains was now gone.
+There was nothing above him--it seemed--except inky black clouds,
+nothing below but chaos and wind. He could not see a foot of the trail
+and so he gave the pony the rein, trusting to its instinct.
+
+When Norton had provided him with an outfit the inevitable tarpaulin had
+not been neglected. Hollis remembered that this was attached to the
+cantle of the saddle, and so, after he had proceeded a little way along
+the crest of the ridge, he halted the pony, dismounted, unstrapped the
+tarpaulin, and folded it about him. Then he remounted and continued on
+his way, mentally thanking Norton for his foresight.
+
+The pony had negotiated the ridge; had slowly loped down its slope to a
+comparatively low and level stretch of country, and was traveling
+steadily forward, when Hollis noticed a change in the atmosphere. It had
+grown hot again--sultry; the heat seemed to cling to him. An ominous
+calm had succeeded the aerial disturbance. From a great distance came a
+slight sound--a gentle sighing--gradually diminishing until it died away
+entirely. Then again came the ominous, premonitory silence--an absolute
+absence of life and movement. Hollis urged the pony forward, hoping the
+calm would last until he had covered a goodly part of the distance to
+the Circle Bar. For a quarter of an hour he went on at a good pace. But
+he had scarcely reached the edge of a stretch of broken country--which
+he dreaded even in the daylight--when the storm was upon him.
+
+It did not come unheralded. A blinding flash of lightning illuminated
+miles of the surrounding country, showing Hollis the naked peaks of
+ridges and hills around him; gullies, draws, barrancas, the levels, lava
+beds, fantastic rock shapes--mocking his ignorance of the country. He
+saw them all for an instant and then they were gone and
+darkness--blacker than before--succeeded. It was as though a huge map
+had suddenly been thrust before his eyes by some giant hand, an intense
+light thrown upon it, and the light suddenly turned off. Immediately
+there came a heavy crash as though the Storm-Kings, having marshalled
+their forces, had thrown them together in one, great, clashing onrush.
+And then, straight down, roaring and shrieking, came the deluge.
+
+The wise little plains-pony halted, standing with drooping head,
+awaiting the end of the first fierce onslaught. It lasted long and when
+it had gone another silence, as ominous as the preceding one, followed.
+The rain ceased entirely and the pony again stepped forward, making his
+way slowly, for the trail was now slippery and hazardous. The baked
+earth had become a slimy, sticky clay which clung tenaciously to the
+pony's hoofs.
+
+For another quarter of an hour the pony floundered through the mud,
+around gigantic boulders, over slippery hummocks, across little gullies,
+upon ridges and small hills and down into comparatively level stretches
+of country. Hollis was beginning to think that he might escape a bad
+wetting after all when the rain came again.
+
+This time it seemed the Storm-Kings were in earnest. The rain came down
+in torrents; Hollis could feel it striking against his tarpaulin in
+long, stinging, vicious slants, and the lightning played and danced
+along the ridges and into the gullies with continuing energy, the
+thunder following, crashing in terrific volleys. It was uncomfortable,
+to say the least, and the only consoling thought was that the deluge
+would prove a God-send to the land and the cattle. Hollis began to wish
+that he had remained in Dry Bottom for the night, but of course Dry
+Bottom was not to be thought of now; he must devote all his energy to
+reaching the ranch.
+
+It was slow work for the pony. After riding for another quarter of an
+hour Hollis saw, during another lightning flash, another of his
+landmarks, and realized that in the last quarter of an hour he had
+traveled a very short distance. The continuing flashes of lightning had
+helped the pony forward, but presently the lightning ceased and a dense
+blackness succeeded. The pony went forward at an uncertain pace; several
+times it halted and faced about, apparently undecided about the trail.
+After another half hour's travel and coming to a stretch of level
+country, the pony halted again, refusing to respond to Hollis's repeated
+urging to go forward without guidance. For a long time Hollis continued
+to urge the animal--he cajoled, threatened--but the pony would not
+budge. Hollis was forced to the uncomfortable realization that it had
+lost the trail.
+
+For a long time he sat quietly in the saddle, trying in the dense
+darkness to determine upon direction, but he finally gave it up and with
+a sudden impulse took up the reins and pulled the pony to the left,
+determined to keep to the flat country as long as possible.
+
+He traveled for what seemed several miles, the pony gingerly feeling its
+way, when suddenly it halted and refused to advance. Something was
+wrong. Hollis leaned forward, attempting to peer through the darkness
+ahead, but not succeeding. And now, as though having accomplished its
+design by causing Hollis to lose the trail, the lightning flashed again,
+illuminating the surrounding country for several miles.
+
+Hollis had been peering ahead when the flash came and he drew a deep
+breath of horror and surprise. The pony had halted within a foot of the
+edge of a high cliff whose side dropped away sheer, as though cut with a
+knife. Down below, perhaps a hundred feet, was an immense basin, through
+which flowed a stream of water. To Hollis's right, parallel with the
+stream, the cliff sloped suddenly down, reaching the water's edge at a
+distance of two or three hundred feet. Beyond that was a stretch of
+sloping country many miles in area, and, also on his right, was a long,
+high, narrow ridge. He recognized the ridge as the one on which he and
+Norton had ridden some six weeks before--on the day he had had the
+adventure with Ed Hazelton. Another flash of lightning showed him two
+cotton-wood trees--the ones pointed out to him by Norton as marking Big
+Elk crossing--the dead line set by Dunlavey and his men.
+
+Hollis knew his direction now and he pulled the pony around and headed
+it away from the edge of the cliff and toward the flat country which he
+knew led down through the canyon to Devil's Hollow, where he had taken
+leave of Ed and Nellie Hazelton. He was congratulating himself upon his
+narrow escape when a flash of lightning again illuminated the country
+and he saw, not over a hundred feet distant, sitting motionless on their
+ponies, a half dozen cowboys. Also on his pony, slightly in advance of
+the others, a grin of derision on his face, was Dunlavey.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+PICKING UP THE TRAIL
+
+
+At about the time that the storm had overtaken Hollis, Potter was
+unsaddling his pony at the Circle Bar corral gate. A little later he was
+on the wide lower gallery of the ranchhouse washing the stains of travel
+from his face and hands. At supper he was taciturn, his face deeply
+thoughtful. Had Ten Spot come? What had been the outcome of the meeting?
+These questions preyed on his mind and brought furrows into his face.
+
+At supper he caught Norton watching him furtively and he flushed
+guiltily, for he felt that in spite of Hollis's order to say nothing to
+Norton he should have told. He had already informed Norton that Hollis
+intended remaining in Dry Bottom until a later hour than usual, but he
+had said nothing about the intended visit of Ten Spot to the
+_Kicker_ office. Loyalty to Hollis kept him from communicating to
+Norton his fears for Hollis's safety. It was now too late to do anything
+if he did tell Norton; whatever had been done had been done already and
+there was nothing for him to do but to wait until nine o'clock.
+
+After he finished his meal he drew a chair out upon the gallery and
+placing it in a corner from where he could see the Dry Bottom trail he
+seated himself in it and tried to combat the disquieting fears that
+oppressed him. When Norton came out and took a chair near him he tried
+to talk to the range boss upon those small subjects with which we fill
+our leisure, but he could not hold his thoughts to these trivialities.
+He fell into long silences; his thoughts kept going back to Dry Bottom.
+
+When the rain came he felt a little easier, for he had a hope that
+Hollis might have noticed the approach of the storm and decided to
+remain in town until it had passed. But after the rain had ceased his
+fears again returned. He looked many times at his watch and when Mrs.
+Norton came to the door and announced her intention of retiring he
+scarcely noticed her. Norton had repeatedly referred to Hollis's
+absence, and each time Potter had assured him that Hollis would come
+soon. Shortly before nine o'clock, when the clouds lifted and the stars
+began to appear, Potter rose and paced the gallery floor. At nine, when
+it had become light enough to see quite a little distance down the Dry
+Bottom trail and there were still no signs of Hollis, he blurted out the
+story of the day's occurrences.
+
+The information acted upon Norton like an electric shock. He was on his
+feet before Potter had finished speaking, grasping him by the shoulders
+and shaking him roughly.
+
+"Why didn't you say something before?" he demanded. "Why did you leave
+him? Wasn't there somebody in Dry Bottom that you could have sent out
+here to tell me?" He cursed harshly. "Ten Spot's got him!" he declared
+sharply, his eyes glittering savagely. "He'd have been here by this
+time!" He was taking a hitch in his cartridge belt while talking, and
+before concluding he was down off the gallery floor and striding toward
+the corral.
+
+"Tell my wife that I've gone to Dry Bottom," he called back to Potter.
+"Important business! I'll be back shortly after midnight!"
+
+Leaving Potter on the porch staring after him he ran to the corral,
+roped his pony, threw on a saddle and bridle and mounted with the animal
+on a run.
+
+The stars were shining brilliantly now and from the porch Potter could
+see Norton racing down the Dry Bottom trail with his pony in a furious
+gallop. For a time Potter watched him, then he disappeared and Potter
+went into the house to communicate his message to his wife.
+
+The rain had been heavy while it lasted, but by the time Norton had
+begun his race to Dry Bottom very little evidence of it remained and the
+pony's flying hoofs found the sand of the trail almost as dry and hard
+as before the storm. Indeed, there was now little evidence that there
+had been a storm at all.
+
+Norton spared the pony only on the rises and in something over an hour
+after the time he had left the Circle Bar he drew up in front of the
+_Kicker_ office in Dry Bottom, dismounted, and bounded to the door.
+It was locked. He placed a shoulder against it and crashed it in,
+springing inside and lighting a match. He smiled grimly when he saw no
+signs of Hollis; when he saw that the interior was in an orderly
+condition and that there were no signs of a conflict. If Ten Spot had
+killed Hollis he had done the deed outside the _Kicker_ office.
+
+Norton came out again, pulling the wreck of the door after him and
+closing it as well as he could. Then, leaving his pony, he strode toward
+the Fashion saloon. As he came near he heard sounds of revelry issuing
+from the open door and he smiled coldly. A flashing glance through the
+window showed him that Ten Spot was there, standing at the bar. In the
+next instant Norton was inside, confronting Ten Spot, his big
+six-shooter out and shoved viciously against Ten Spot's stomach.
+
+"What have you done with Hollis, you mangy son-of-a-gun?" he demanded.
+
+Several men who had been standing at the bar talking and laughing fell
+silent and looked at the two men, the barkeeper sidled closer, crouching
+warily, for he knew Norton.
+
+Ten Spot had spread his arms out on the bar and was leaning against it,
+looking at Norton in unfeigned bewilderment. He did not speak at once.
+Then suddenly aware of the foreboding, savage gleam in Norton's eyes, a
+glint of grim humor came into his own and his lips opened a little,
+curling sarcastically.
+
+"Why," he said, looking at Norton, "I don't reckon to be anyone's
+keeper." He smiled widely, with a suddenly ludicrous expression. "If
+you're talkin' about that tenderfoot noospaper guy, he don't need no
+keeper. What have I done to him?" he repeated, his smile growing. "Why,
+I reckon I didn't do a heap; I went down to call on him. He was right
+sociable. I was goin' to be mean to him, but I just couldn't. When he
+left he was sayin' that he'd be right glad to see me again--he'd been
+right playful durin' my talk with him. I reckon by now he's over at the
+Circle Bar laffin' hisself to sleep over the mean way I treated him. You
+just ast him when you see him."
+
+A flicker of doubt came into Norton's eyes--Ten Spot's words had the
+ring of truth.
+
+"You went down there to shoot him!" he said coldly, still unconvinced.
+
+"Mebbe I did," returned Ten Spot. "Howsomever, I didn't. I ain't tellin'
+how I come to change my mind--that's my business, an' you can't shoot it
+out of me. But I'm tellin' you this: me an' that guy has agreed to call
+it quits, an' if I hear any man talkin' extravagant about him, me an'
+that man's goin' to have a run in mighty sudden!" He laughed. "Someone's
+been funnin' you," he said. "When he handed me back my gun after
+sluggin'----"
+
+But he was now talking to Norton's back, for the range boss was at the
+door, striding rapidly toward his pony. He mounted again and rode out on
+the trail, proceeding slowly, convinced that something had happened to
+Hollis after he had left Dry Bottom. It was more than likely that he had
+lost his way in the storm, and in that case he would probably arrive at
+the Circle Bar over some round-about trail. He was now certain that he
+had not been molested in town; if he had been some of the men in the
+Fashion would have told him about it. Hollis would probably be at the
+ranch by the time he arrived, to laugh at his fears. Nevertheless he
+rode slowly, watching the trail carefully, searching the little gullies
+and peering into every shadow for fear that Hollis had been injured in
+some accident and might be lying near unable to make his presence known.
+
+The dawn was just showing above the horizon when he rode up to the
+ranchhouse to find Potter standing on the porch--apparently not having
+left there during his absence. Beside Potter stood Ed Hazelton, and near
+the latter a drooping pony, showing signs of hard riding.
+
+Norton passed the corral gate and rode up to the two men. A glance at
+their faces told him that something had gone wrong. But before he could
+speak the question that had formed on his lips Hazelton spoke.
+
+"They got him, Norton," he said slowly.
+
+"Dead?" queried Norton sharply, his lips straightening.
+
+"No," returned Hazelton gloomily; "he ain't dead. But when I found him
+he wasn't far from it. Herd-rode him, the damned sneaks! Beat him up
+so's his own mother wouldn't know him!"
+
+"Wait!" commanded Norton. "I'm going with you. I suppose you've got him
+over to your shack?" He caught Hazelton's nod and issued an order to
+Potter. "Go down to the bunkhouse and get Weary out. Tell him to hit the
+breeze to Cimarron for the doctor. If the doc' don't want to come drag
+him by the ears!"
+
+He spurred his pony furiously to the corral gate and in a short time had
+saddled another horse and was back where Hazelton was awaiting him.
+Without speaking a word to each other the two men rode rapidly down the
+Coyote trail, while Potter, following directions, his face haggard and
+drawn from loss of sleep and worry, hurried to the bunkhouse to arouse
+Weary and send him on his long journey to Cimarron.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+AFTER THE STORM
+
+
+Hollis's tall figure lay pitifully slack on a bed in the Hazelton cabin.
+Nellie Hazelton had given him what care she could out of her limited
+knowledge and now nothing more could be done until the arrival of the
+Cimarron doctor. Swathed in bandages, his clothing torn and soiled--as
+though after beating him his assailants had dragged him through the
+mud--one hand queerly twisted, his face swollen, his whole great body
+looking as though it had received the maximum of injury, Hollis moved
+restlessly on the bed, his head rolling oddly from side to side,
+incoherent words issuing from between his bruised and swollen lips.
+
+Norton stood beside the bed, looking down at the injured man with a
+grim, savage pity.
+
+"The damned cowards!" he said, his voice quivering. "There must have
+been a dozen of them--to do him up like that!"
+
+"Seven," returned Ed Hazelton grimly. "They left their trail there; I
+counted the hoof prints, an' they led down the slope toward Big Elk
+crossin'." He looked at Norton with a frown. "We can't do anything
+here," he said shortly, "until the doctor comes. I'll take you down
+where I found him."
+
+They went out and mounted their ponies. Down the trail a mile or so they
+came to a level that led away toward Rabbit-Ear Creek. From the level
+they could see the Circle Cross buildings, scattered over a small
+stretch of plain on the opposite side of the river. There was no life
+around them, no movement. Norton grimaced toward them.
+
+Hazelton halted his pony in some tall grass near a bare, sandy spot on
+the plains. The grass here grew only in patches and Norton could plainly
+see a number of hoof prints in the sand. One single set led away across
+the plains toward the Dry Bottom trail. Seeing the knowing expression in
+Norton's eyes, Hazelton spoke quietly.
+
+"That's Hollis's trail. He must have took the Dry Bottom trail an' lost
+it in the storm. Potter says he would probably take it because it's
+shorter. Anyways, it's his trail; I followed it back into the hills
+until I was sure. I saw that he had been comin' from Dry Bottom. He lost
+his way an' rode over here. I remember there was an awful darkness, for
+I was out scoutin' around to see if my stock was all right. Well, he got
+this far--rode right up to the edge of the butte over there an' then
+come back this way. Then he met--well, the men that did it."
+
+"They all stood there for a little while; you can see where their horses
+pawed. Then mebbe they started somethin', for you can see where Hollis's
+pony throwed up a lot of sand, tryin' to break out. The others were in a
+circle--you can see that. I've figured it out that Hollis saw there
+wasn't any chance for him against so many an' he tried to hit the breeze
+away from here. I'll show you."
+
+They followed the hoof prints down the slope and saw that all the riders
+must have been traveling fast at this point, for the earth was cut and
+the hoof prints bunched fore and aft. They ran only a little way,
+however. About a hundred yards down the slope, in a stretch of bare,
+sandy soil, the horses had evidently come to a halt again, for they were
+bunched well together and there were many of them, showing that there
+had been some movement after the halt.
+
+Norton dismounted and examined the surrounding soil.
+
+"They all got off here," he said shortly, after the examination;
+"there's the prints of their boots. They caught him here and handed it
+to him."
+
+Hazelton silently pointed to a queer track in the sand--a shallow groove
+running about fifty feet, looking as though some heavy object had been
+drawn over it. Norton's face whitened.
+
+"Drug him!" he said grimly, his lips in two straight lines. "It's likely
+they roped him!" He remounted his pony and sat in the saddle, watching
+Hazelton as the latter continued his examination. "They're a fine, nervy
+bunch!" he sneered as Hazelton also climbed into his saddle. "They must
+have piled onto him like a pack of wolves. If they'd have come one at a
+time he'd have cleaned them up proper!"
+
+They rode away down the trail toward the cabin. Norton went in and
+looked again at Hollis, and then, telling Hazelton that he would return
+in the afternoon, he departed for the Circle Bar. He stopped at the
+ranchhouse and communicated the news to his wife and Potter and then
+rode on up the river to a point about ten miles from the
+ranchhouse--where the outfit was working.
+
+The men received his news with expressions of rage and vengeance. They
+had come to admire Hollis for his courage in electing to continue the
+fight against Dunlavey; they had seen that in spite of his ignorance of
+the customs of their world he possessed a goodly store of common sense
+and an indomitable spirit. Yet none of them expressed sympathy, though
+their faces showed that they felt it. Expressions of sympathy in a case
+such as this would have been unnecessary and futile. But their
+expressions of rage showed how the news had affected them. Though they
+knew that Dunlavey's forces outnumbered their own they were for striking
+back immediately. But Norton discouraged this.
+
+"We're layin' low for a while," he said. "Mebbe the boss will get well.
+If he does he'll make things mighty interestin' for Dunlavey--likely
+he'll remember who was in the crowd which beat him up. If he dies----"
+His eyes flashed savagely. "Well, if he dies you boys can go as far as
+you like an' I'll go with you without doin' any kickin'."
+
+"What's goin' to be done with that noospaper of his'n?" inquired Ace.
+"You reckon she'll miss fire till he's well again?"
+
+Norton's brows wrinkled; he had not thought of the newspaper. But he
+realized now that if the paper failed to appear on scheduled time the
+people in Union County would think that Hollis had surrendered; they
+would refuse to believe that he had been so badly injured that he could
+not issue the paper, and Dunlavey would be careful to circulate some
+sort of a story to encourage this view. Now that Ace had brought the
+matter to his attention he began to suspect that this had been the
+reason of the attack on Hollis. That they had not killed him when they
+had the opportunity, showed that they must have had some purpose other
+than that of merely desiring to get him out of the way. That they had
+merely beaten him showed that their wish was only to incapacitate him
+temporarily. Norton's eyes flashed with a sudden determination.
+
+"I don't reckon that the _Kicker_ will miss fire," he declared;
+"not if I have to go to Dry Bottom an' get her out myself!"
+
+Ace eyed him furtively and now spoke with an embarrassed
+self-consciousness.
+
+"I've been considerin' this here situation ever since you told us about
+the boss," he said diffidently, "an' if you're goin' to get that paper
+out, a little poem or two might help out considerable."
+
+"Meanin'?" interrogated Norton, his eyelashes flickering.
+
+Ace's face reddened painfully. "Meanin' that I've got several little
+pieces which I've wrote when I didn't have anything else to do an' that
+I'd be right willin' to have them put into the _Kicker_ to help
+fill her up. Some of the boys think they're right classy."
+
+Norton looked around at the other men for confirmation of the truth of
+this modest statement. He caught Lanky's glance.
+
+"I reckon that's about right," said that sober-faced puncher; "Ace is
+the pote lariat of this here outfit, an' he sure has got a lot of right
+clever lines in his pomes. I've read them which wasn't one-two-three
+with his'n."
+
+Norton smiled, a little cynically. He wasn't quite sure about it, he
+said, but if Ace could write poetry he hadn't any doubt that during the
+next few weeks there would be plenty of opportunity to print some of it
+in the Kicker. He smiled when he saw Ace's face brighten. But he told
+him he would have to see Hollis--if the latter got well enough to endure
+an interview. If the boss recovered enough to be able to look at Ace's
+poetry before it was printed, why of course it would have to be shown
+him. He didn't want anything to go into the _Kicker_ which the boss
+wouldn't like. But if he wasn't able to look at it, why he would leave
+the decision to Potter, and if it suited the latter he would be
+satisfied. He would keep the boys posted on the boss's condition. Then
+he rode away toward the ranchhouse.
+
+Late in the afternoon he again visited the Hazelton cabin. He found the
+Cimarron doctor already there. Hollis was still unconscious, though
+resting easier. The doctor declared that he would remain with him
+throughout the night. He followed Norton out on to the porch and told
+him that at present he could not tell just how serious Hollis's injuries
+were. There was a great wound in his head which he feared might turn out
+seriously, but if not, Hollis would recover quickly and be as good as
+ever within a few weeks--except for his left wrist--which was broken. He
+praised Nellie Hazelton for the care she was giving the injured man.
+Convinced that there was nothing more to be done, Norton returned to the
+Circle Bar to give his attention to his work.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+"WOMAN--SHE DON'T NEED NO TOOTER"
+
+
+The Cimarron doctor's fears for the wound on Hollis's head had proved
+unfounded and on the tenth day after his experience on the night of the
+storm, Hollis was sitting on the Hazelton porch, his head still swathed
+in bandages, his left wrist in a splint, but his spirit still untouched.
+The marks on his face had all disappeared, except an ugly gash under his
+right eye--which still showed a slight discoloration--and a smaller cut
+on the chin. The Cimarron doctor had told him that the wound under his
+eye would leave a permanent scar--the wound had been deep and in spite
+of the doctor's care, had drawn together queerly, affecting the eye
+itself and giving it an odd expression. Many times since becoming able
+to move about had Hollis looked at his face in his mirror, and each time
+there had come into his eyes an expression that boded ill for the men
+who had been concerned in the attack on him.
+
+It was mid-afternoon and the sun was coming slant-wise over the roof of
+the cabin, creating a welcome shade on the porch. Ed Hazelton had been
+gone since morning, looking after his cattle, and Nellie was in the
+house, busily at work in the kitchen--Hollis could hear her as she
+stepped about the room.
+
+Norton had left the cabin an hour before and a little later Potter had
+stopped in on his way over to Dry Bottom to set up an article that he
+had written at Hollis's dictation. Hollis had told Norton of his
+experiences on the night of the storm.
+
+After the flash of lightning had revealed Dunlavey and his men, Hollis
+had attempted to escape, knowing that Dunlavey's intentions could not be
+peaceable, and that he would have no chance in a fight with several men.
+He had urged his pony toward the two buttes that he had seen during the
+lightning flash, making a circuit in order to evade his enemies. He
+might have succeeded, but unfortunately the darkness had lifted and they
+had been able to intercept him. He could give no clear account of what
+had happened after they had surrounded him. There had been no words
+spoken. He had tried to break out of the circle; had almost succeeded
+when a loop settled over his shoulders and he was dragged from his
+pony--dragged quite a distance.
+
+The fall had hurt him, but when the rope had slackened he had regained
+his feet--to see that all the men had surrounded him. One man struck at
+him and he had immediately struck back, knocking the man down. After
+that the blows came thick and fast. He hit several more faces that were
+close to him and at one time was certain he had put three of his
+assailants out of the fight. But the others had crowded him close. He
+fought them as well as he could with the great odds against him, and
+once was inspired with a hope that he might escape. Then had come a
+heavy blow on the head--he thought that one of the men had used the butt
+of a revolver. He could dimly remember receiving a number of other blows
+and then he knew nothing more until he had awakened in the Hazelton
+cabin.
+
+Hollis's opinion of Dunlavey's motive in thus attacking him coincided
+with Norton's. They might easily have killed him. That they did not
+showed that they must have some peculiar motive. Aside from a perfectly
+natural desire on Dunlavey's part to deal to Hollis the same sort of
+punishment that Hollis had inflicted on Dunlavey on the occasion of
+their first meeting, the latter could have no motive other than that of
+preventing the appearance of the _Kicker_ on its regular
+publication day.
+
+Hollis was convinced that Dunlavey had been inspired by both motives.
+But though Dunlavey had secured his revenge for the blow that Hollis had
+struck him in Dry Bottom, Hollis did not purpose to allow him to prevent
+the appearance of the _Kicker_. It had been impossible for him to
+make the trip to Dry Bottom, but he had summoned Potter and had dictated
+considerable copy, Potter had written some, and in this manner they had
+managed to get the _Kicker_ out twice.
+
+Ace had not been able to get any of his poems into the _Kicker_. He
+had submitted some of them to Potter, but the printer had assured him
+that he did not care to assume the responsibility of publishing them.
+Thereupon Ace had importuned Norton to intercede with Hollis on his
+behalf. On his visit this morning Norton had brought the matter to
+Hollis's attention. The latter had assured the range boss that he
+appreciated the puncher's interest and would be glad to go over some of
+his poems. Therefore Hollis was not surprised when in the afternoon he
+saw Ace loping his pony down the Coyote trail toward the Hazelton cabin.
+
+Ace's approach was diffident, though ambition urged him on. He rode up
+to the edge of the porch, dismounted, and greeted his boss with an
+earnestness that contrasted oddly with his embarrassment. He took the
+chair that Hollis motioned him to, sitting on the edge of it and
+shifting nervously under Hollis's direct gaze.
+
+"I reckon Norton told you about my poems," he began. He caught Hollis's
+nod and continued: "Well, I got a bunch of 'em here which I brung over
+to show you. Folks back home used to say that I was a genyus. But I
+reckon mebbe they was hittin' her up a little bit strong," he admitted,
+modestly; "folks is that way--they like to spread it on a bit. But"--and
+the eyes of the genius flashed proudly--"I reckon I've got a little
+talyunt, the evidence of which is right here!" With rather more
+composure than had marked his approach he now drew out a prodigious
+number of sheets of paper, which he proceeded to spread out on his knee,
+smoothing them lovingly.
+
+"Mebbe I ain't much on spellin' an' grammar an' all that sort of thing,"
+he offered, "but there's a heap of sense to be got out of the stuff I've
+wrote. Take this one, for instance. She's a little oday to 'Night,'
+which I composed while the boys was poundin' their ears one night--not
+bein' affected in their feelin's like I was. If you ain't got no
+objections I'll read her." And then, not waiting to hear any objections,
+he began:
+
+    The stars are bright to-night;
+    They surely are a sight,
+    Sendin' their flickerin' light
+    From an awful, unknown height.
+
+    Why do they shine so bright?
+    I'm most o'ercome with fright----
+
+"Of course I reely wasn't scared," he offered with a deprecatory smile,
+"but there wasn't any other word that I could think of just then an' so
+I shoved her in. It rhymes anyhow an' just about says what I wanted."
+
+He resumed:
+
+    When I look up into the night,
+    An' see their flickerin' light.
+
+He ceased and looked at Hollis with an abashed smile. "It don't seem to
+sound so good when I'm readin' her out loud," he apologized. "An' I've
+thought that mebbe I've worked that 'night' an' 'light' rhyme over-time.
+But of course I've got 'fright' an' 'sight' an' 'height' in there to
+kind of off-set that." He squirmed in his chair. "You take her an' read
+her." He passed the papers over to Hollis and rose from his chair. "I'll
+be goin' back to the outfit; Norton was sayin' that he wanted me to look
+up some strays an' I don't want him to be waitin' for me. But I'd like
+to have one of them pomes printed in the _Kicker_--just to show the
+folks in this here country that there's a real pote in their midst."
+
+"Why----" began Hollis, about to express his surprise over his guest's
+sudden determination to depart. But he saw Nellie Hazelton standing just
+outside the door, and the cause of Ace's projected departure was no
+longer a mystery. He had gone before Hollis could have finished his
+remonstrance, and was fast disappearing in a cloud of dust down the
+trail when Hollis turned slowly to see Nellie Hazelton smiling broadly.
+
+"I just couldn't resist coming out," she said. "It rather startled me to
+discover that there was a real poet in the country."
+
+"There seems to be no doubt of it," returned Hollis with a smile. But he
+immediately became serious. "Ace means well," he added. "I imagine that
+it wasn't entirely an ambition to rush into print that moved him to
+submit his poems; he wants to help fill up the paper."
+
+Miss Hazelton laughed. "I really think," she said, looking after the
+departing poet, "that he might have been fibbing a little when he said
+that the 'night' had not 'scared' him. He ran from me," she added,
+amusement shining in her eyes, "and I should not like to think that any
+woman could appear so forbidding and mysterious as the darkness."
+
+Hollis had been scanning one of the poems in his hand. He smiled
+whimsically at Miss Hazelton as she concluded.
+
+"Here is Ace's opinion on that subject," he said. "Since you have
+doubted him I think it only fair that you should give him a hearing.
+Won't you read it?"
+
+She came forward and seated herself in the chair that the poet had
+vacated, taking the mass of paper that Hollis passed over to her.
+
+"Shall I read it aloud?" she asked with a smile at him.
+
+"I think you had better not," he returned; "it might prove
+embarrassing."
+
+She blushed and gave her attention to the poem. It was entitled:
+"Woman," and ran;
+
+    "Woman she dont need no tooter,
+    be she skule mam or biscut shooter.
+    she has most curyus ways about her,
+    which leads a man to kinda dout her.
+
+    Though lookin at her is shure a pleasur
+    there aint no way to get her measure
+    i reckon she had man on the run
+    a long while before the world begun.
+
+    I met a biscut shooter in the chance saloon
+    when i was blowin my coin in ratoon
+    while the coin lasted i owned her an the town
+    but when it was gone she throwed me down.
+
+    An so i say she dont need no tooter
+    be she skule mam or biscut shooter
+    she fooled me an my hart she stole
+    which has opened my eyes an hurt my sole."
+
+Miss Hazelton laid the manuscript in her lap and laughed heartily.
+
+"What a harrowing experience!" she declared. Hollis was grinning at her.
+
+"That was a bad thing to have happen to a man," he observed; "I suppose
+it rather shattered Ace's faith in woman. At least you could observe by
+his actions just a moment ago that he isn't taking any more chances."
+
+She fixed him with a defiant eye. "But he still admits that he takes
+pleasure in looking at a woman!" she told him triumphantly.
+
+"So he does. Still, that isn't remarkable. You see, a man couldn't help
+that--no matter how badly he had been treated."
+
+She had no reply to make to this, though she gave him a look that he
+could not mistake. But he laughed. "I think Ace's effort ought to go
+into the _Kicker_" he said. "I have no doubt that many who read the
+poem will find in it a great deal of truth--perhaps a reflection of
+their own personal experiences."
+
+Her face clouded and she regarded him a little soberly. "Of your own,
+perhaps?" she suggested.
+
+"Not guilty," he returned laughing. "You see, I have never had any time
+to devote to the study of women, let alone time to allow them to fool
+me. Perhaps when I do have time to study them I may find some truth in
+Ace's effort."
+
+"Then women do not interest you?" She was looking down the Coyote trail.
+
+"Well, no," he said, thinking of the busy days of his past, and not
+being aware of the furtive, significant glance she threw toward him.
+"You see, there have always been so many important things to engage my
+attention."
+
+"How fortunate!" she said mockingly, after a pause during which he had
+time to realize that he had been very ungracious. He saw Ace's
+manuscript flutter toward him, saw her rise and heard the screen door
+slam after her. During the remainder of the afternoon he was left alone
+on the porch to meditate upon the evils that arise from thoughtless
+speech.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE COALITION
+
+
+Perhaps there were some persons in Union County who, acquainted with the
+details of the attack on Hollis, expected to read an account of it in
+the _Kicker_. If there were any such they were disappointed. There
+was nothing about the attack printed in the _Kicker_--nor did
+Hollis talk to any stranger concerning it.
+
+Ace's poem entitled "Woman" had gone into the paper, causing the
+poet--for many days following the appearance of his composition--to look
+upon his fellow punchers with a sort of condescending pity. On the
+second day after his discussion with Miss Hazelton over Ace's poem
+Hollis returned to the Circle Bar. He had succeeded in convincing Nellie
+that he had answered thoughtlessly when he had informed her that he took
+no interest in women, and though she had defiantly assured him that she
+had not taken offense, there had been a light in her eyes upon his
+departure which revealed gratification over his repentance. She stood
+long on the porch after he had taken leave of her, watching him as he
+rode slowly down the trail and disappeared around a turn. Then she
+smiled regretfully, sighed, and went into the house.
+
+Hollis's return to the Circle Bar was unostentatious and quite in
+keeping with his method of doing things. Within the next few days he met
+several of the Circle Bar men and there were mutterings against
+Dunlavey, but Hollis discouraged action, assuring the mutterers that his
+differences with Dunlavey were entirely personal and that he intended
+carrying on the fight alone.
+
+His wounds mended rapidly, and within two weeks--except for the broken
+wrist--he was well as ever. Meanwhile Potter had succeeded in getting
+the _Kicker_ out on time, though there had been a noticeable lack
+of aggressiveness in the articles. Especially was this true of the
+articles bearing upon the situation in Union County. Hollis had dictated
+some of these, but even those which he had dictated had seemed to lack
+something.
+
+Nothing had been heard of Dunlavey--it seemed that after the attack upon
+Hollis he had withdrawn from the scene to await the latter's next move.
+
+But Hollis was in no hurry; he had lost some of the enthusiasm that had
+marked his attitude in the beginning, but this enthusiasm had been
+replaced by determination. He was beginning to realize that in Dunlavey
+he had met a foe worthy of his most serious efforts. He had determined
+that there would be no repetition of the attack upon him, and therefore
+during his convalescence he had sent to Las Vegas for a repeating rifle,
+and this he carried with him on his trips to and from Dry Bottom.
+
+Meanwhile the drought continued. The sky was cloudless, the desultory
+breezes that swept the plains blighted growing things, raising little
+whirlwinds of fine, flinty alkali dust and spreading it over the face of
+the world. The storm that had caught Hollis on the Dry Bottom trail had
+covered only a comparatively small area; it had lasted only a brief time
+and after its passage the country was dry as before.
+
+Rabbit-Ear Creek of all the streams in the vicinity of Dry Bottom held
+water. From all points of the compass cattle drifted to the Rabbit-Ear,
+slaking their thirst and refusing to leave. Bronzed riders on drooping
+ponies trailed them, cutting them out, trying to keep their herds
+intact, but not succeeding. Confusion reigned. For miles in both
+directions Rabbit-Ear Creek became one huge, long watering trough.
+Temporary camps were made; chuck wagons rattled up to them, loaded with
+supplies for the cowboys, and rattled back to distant ranches for more.
+There had been other droughts, but this one was
+unexpected--unprecedented. There had always been a little water
+everywhere. Now Rabbit-Ear Creek held all there was.
+
+Only the small cattle owners suffered because of the drought. Riders
+told of the presence of plenty of water in the Canadian, the Cimarron,
+and the Ute. Carrizo held some. In fact, nearly all the streams held by
+the large ranchers seemed to contain plenty. The smaller owners, whose
+herds were smaller and whose complement of punchers was necessarily
+limited, had apparently been selected by Providence for ruin.
+
+There were mutterings against the large owners, against Providence.
+Particularly were there mutterings against Dunlavey when word came to
+the owners of the herds that if the drought was not broken within the
+next ten days the Circle Cross manager would drive all foreign cattle
+from the Rabbit-Ear. He would not allow his own herds to suffer to save
+theirs, he said.
+
+On the night following the day upon which the small owners had received
+this word from Dunlavey a number of the former waited upon Hollis. They
+found him seated on the lower gallery of the ranchhouse talking to
+Norton and Potter. Lemuel Train, of the Pig-pen outfit, had been
+selected as their spokesman. He stood before Hollis, a big man,
+diffident in manner and rough in appearance, surrounded by his fellow
+ranchers, bronzed, bearded, serious of face. Though the sun had been
+down three hours the heat was frightful and the visitors shuffled their
+feet and uncomfortably wiped the perspiration from their brows.
+
+"Sit down," invited Hollis. He rose and stood while the men draped
+themselves on the edge of the gallery floor--all except the spokesman,
+Lemuel Train. The latter faced Hollis. His face was grim in the dusk.
+
+"We've come to see what you've got to say about water," he said.
+
+Days before Norton had told Hollis that these men who were now herding
+at the Rabbit-Ear were the small ranchers who had refused to aid the
+elder Hollis in his fight against Dunlavey some years before. Therefore
+Hollis did not answer at once. When he did his voice was dry and cold.
+He too had heard of Dunlavey's ultimatum concerning the water.
+
+"Before I say anything on that subject I should like to know to whom I
+am talking," he said.
+
+Train swept a ponderous hand toward his fellow visitors, pointing them
+out in turn. "There's Truxton, of the Diamond Dot; Holcomb, of the Star;
+Henningson, of the Three Bar; Yeager, of the Three Diamond; an' Clark,
+of the Circle Y."
+
+"Correct," affirmed Norton, behind Hollis.
+
+Hollis smiled grimly; he had caught a belligerent note in Norton's
+voice. Plainly, if the range boss were allowed a voice in the matter,
+these visitors would have now received as little encouragement as they
+had received from Dunlavey. But Hollis's smile showed that he held
+different views.
+
+"I am Kent Hollis," he said to the men; "I suppose you know that."
+
+"I reckon we know you," said Train; "you're Jim Hollis's boy."
+
+"Then you know that Dunlavey and my father were not exactly bosom
+friends," returned Hollis.
+
+Several heads bobbed affirmatively; others sat grimly silent. Hollis
+smiled.
+
+"How many of you offered to help my father when he came to you asking
+for assistance in his fight against Dunlavey?"
+
+Train fidgeted. "I reckon they wasn't much chance----" he began, and
+then hesitated, looking around at his fellows.
+
+"Of course," returned Hollis quietly, after an embarrassed pause, "there
+wasn't much chance for you to win then. And you had to take a big risk
+to help my father. But he had to take a bigger risk to fight alone.
+Still he fought. And he fought alone. He was almost ruined. And now you
+men are facing ruin. And you have come to Jim Hollis's son to help you.
+Do you think he ought?"
+
+The men sat silent; the spokesman was without words.
+
+"How many men can the six of you muster--in case Dunlavey should try to
+carry out his decision to drive your cattle from the Rabbit-Ear--or
+shoot them?"
+
+"Eighteen, I reckon," returned Train, looking at the others, who nodded
+affirmatively to his question.
+
+Hollis turned to Norton. "How many men does Dunlavey employ?" he
+questioned.
+
+"Thirty," snapped Norton. "But in case he needed them he c'n get a
+hundred."
+
+"Big odds," smiled Hollis. "Why should I volunteer to help you fight
+Dunlavey? My cattle are certain of getting enough water. Why should I
+not be selfish, as you men were when my father went to you for
+assistance?"
+
+There was no answer. The faces that surrounded Hollis in the
+semi-darkness showed plainly that their owners had given up thoughts of
+assistance. Grim, hard lines came into them; two or three sneered. Of
+course they would fight Dunlavey; there was no alternative, for they
+could not stand idly by and see their cattle slain--Dunlavey could not
+drive them from water, they would have to be shot. They had reckoned on
+securing help from Hollis; he held one side of the Rabbit-Ear and with
+his support they were in a position to make things very unpleasant for
+any of Dunlavey's men who might, from the opposite side of the river,
+attempt to shoot their cattle. But with Hollis against them they would
+be powerless; with Hollis against them Dunlavey's men could swarm both
+sides of the river and the destruction of their cattle would be certain.
+
+All of the men knew this. Yet they did not answer Hollis's question.
+They had not come to plead with him; they knew that the situation had
+narrowed down to a point where they could depend only on their own
+resources. They would not plead, yet as they silently started to file
+off the gallery there were bitter smiles on several of their faces.
+There were no threats; perhaps Hollis had succeeded in showing them the
+similarity between his conduct and their own in the long ago, when his
+father had gone to them for assistance. At least this was what he had
+tried to show them.
+
+Lemuel Train was the last man down the gallery. He turned as he reached
+the ground and looked back over his shoulder at Hollis.
+
+"So-long," he said shortly. "I reckon you're even now."
+
+Hollis had not moved. "Wait, Train!" he said. The visitors halted and
+faced him.
+
+"Men," he said quietly, "you have not answered my question. I am going
+to repeat it: Why should I not be selfish, as you men were when my
+father went to you for assistance?"
+
+Lemuel Train smiled ironically. "Why, I reckon it's your trick, mister
+man," he said; "you've got all the cards."
+
+"Come back here, men," said Hollis. "Since none of you care to answer my
+question I will answer it myself." He stood silent while the men filed
+back and resumed seats on the gallery edge. Darkness had come on while
+he had been talking to the men and inside the ranchhouse Mrs. Norton had
+lighted the kerosene lamp and its weak, flickering rays straggled out
+into the darkness and upon Hollis's face and the faces of several of the
+men who sat on the edge of the gallery.
+
+Hollis knew that he might readily become melodramatic in the few words
+that he purposed to say to the men, and so when he began talking he
+adopted a low, even tone, confidential, serious. He told them that the
+things he had written in his salutatory in the _Kicker_, months
+before, had been an honest declaration of the principles in which he
+believed. This was America, he repeated; they were all Americans; they
+were all entitled to that freedom of thought, speech, and movement for
+which their forefathers had fought. For one, he purposed to fight, if
+necessary, to retain his rights.
+
+He told them that he held no ill-feeling against them on account of
+their refusal to assist his father. That was past history. But now they
+were to look into the future; they were all facing ruin if they did not
+combine in a common cause. So far as he was concerned their cattle might
+remain at the Rabbit-Ear until the drought ended, or until the stream
+went dry. And if Dunlavey fought them--well, he would be with them to
+the finish.
+
+When he had concluded Lemuel Train stepped forward and shook his hand.
+The others followed. There was no word spoken. The men filed down from
+the gallery, sought their horses, mounted, and rode slowly away into the
+darkness. When they had gone Hollis turned to resume his chair, but
+found Norton standing near him, looking at him with a curious smile.
+
+"Shake!" said the latter. "I knowed you'd do it that way!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+TO SUPPORT THE LAW
+
+
+Hollis alone, of all the men whose cattle grazed on the Circle Bar side
+of the Rabbit-Ear, really doubted that Dunlavey would have the courage
+to inaugurate a war against the small owners. Lemuel Train was
+particularly strong in his belief that Dunlavey would not hesitate to
+shoot whatever cattle infringed on what he considered were his rights.
+"I know the skunk!" he declared heatedly to Hollis a day or two after
+the conversation on the porch at the Circle Bar. "He'll do it. I'm only
+scared that he won't wait till the tenth day before beginnin'. Why in
+hell don't it rain?"
+
+This remained the great, universal interrogation. But at the end of a
+week it was unanswered. The sun swam in its endless circles, a great
+ball of molten silver at which no man could look with the naked eye,
+traveling its slow way through a blurred, white sky, sinking to the
+horizon in the evening and leaving a scorched, blasted, gasping country
+behind. The nights brought no relief. Clark, of the Circle Y,
+sarcastically declared it to be his belief that some meddler in things
+firmamental was paying the owner of the sun to work it overtime.
+
+Hollis's daily twenty mile ride from the Circle Bar to Dry Bottom and
+return became a trial to him. At night, when he returned from the trip,
+hot, dry, dusty, he would draw a chair out on the gallery floor and scan
+the sky for signs of rain. To his recollection since his adventure on
+the night of the storm there had not been a cloud in the sky. On the
+trails the dust was inches deep and light as a feather. It rose in
+stifling whirlwinds, filling the nostrils and the lungs, parching the
+tongues of man and beast and accentuating the suffering caused by lack
+of water.
+
+All the pleasure had been drawn from Hollis's rides because of the
+dryness and heat. On a morning a week following the day upon which
+Dunlavey had issued his warning to the cattle owners, Hollis made his
+usual trip to Dry Bottom. Norton accompanied him, intending to make some
+purchases in town. They rode the ten miles without incident and Hollis
+left Norton at the door of the _Kicker_ office, after telling the
+range boss to come back to the office when he had made his purchases as
+he intended returning to the Circle Bar before noon. Hollis found Potter
+inside. The latter had remained in Dry Bottom over night and was busy at
+a type case when his chief entered. Hollis did not remain long in the
+office. He looked over some letters that Potter had placed on his desk,
+placed one in a pocket and rose, telling Potter that he would be back
+and instructing him to tell Norton to await his coming should the latter
+return before him. Then he went down to the court house.
+
+He found the door of Judge Graney's court room slightly ajar and without
+knocking he pushed it open and entered. On the threshold he halted and
+drew a deep breath. Judge Graney was seated at the big table, and
+directly opposite him, leaning heavily on his elbows, his face inflamed
+with anger, sat Dunlavey. Near a window at the side of the room stood a
+grave faced man of medium height, slender and muscular, who was watching
+the Judge and Dunlavey soberly.
+
+At Hollis's sudden appearance the Judge looked up and smiled, while
+Dunlavey faced around, a derisive, mocking grin on his face. Hollis bore
+no marks of the recent attack beyond the left wrist, still in splints.
+
+"Come in," invited Judge Graney, his smile growing, his eyes glinting
+oddly. "I think, since you are responsible for the startling innovation
+which we have been discussing, that you are entitled to a word."
+
+He gravely waved Hollis to a chair and stood silent while the latter
+sank into it. Then he smiled, glancing furtively at Dunlavey and
+addressing Hollis.
+
+"Perhaps you will remember that some time ago you printed an article in
+the _Kicker_ urging upon the Government the necessity of bringing
+the law into Union County?"
+
+Hollis nodded. "Yes," he said quietly; "I remember."
+
+"Well," resumed the Judge, "the article has borne fruit. But perhaps not
+in the manner you expected." He laughed around at the three,
+deliberately closing an eye at Hollis. "You know," he resumed,
+addressing them all, his eyes twinkling as his gaze met Dunlavey's,
+"that the law is an expensive institution. It is a fundamental
+principle--at least of some governments," he smiled--"that a community
+that desires the law must pay, and pay dearly--for it. In short, if it
+wants the law it must pay taxes. I do not say that that is a principle
+which our government is applying, but I do say that it is an eminently
+fair proposition.
+
+"At all events I have received word from the Interior Department that if
+we want the law to come out here we must pay for it. That is not said in
+so many words, but that is the inference, if we are to consider the
+instructions of the Secretary of the Interior--which are: 'I am informed
+that several large ranch owners in Union County are inclined to evade
+taxation. Especially is this true--I am told--of a man named Dunlavey,
+who, if the report is correct, paid, during the last half year, taxes on
+five hundred head of cattle, whereas it is claimed that his holdings
+will amount to about five thousand, yearly average. In view of this
+ridiculously low return it seems incumbent upon me to appoint an
+inquisitor, whose duty----"
+
+Dunlavey laughed harshly, interrupting the Judge. Then he turned
+suddenly to Hollis, his face inflamed with passion.
+
+"I reckon this is some of your work?" he snarled.
+
+Hollis met his gaze steadily. "I imagine it is," he said quietly. He
+could not keep a flash of triumph from his eyes. "Nothing could please
+me better than to discover that I had a hand in bringing the law to this
+country. It needs plenty of law."
+
+Judge Graney cleared his throat. "This does not apply to you alone,
+Dunlavey," he said, facing the latter. "Letters have been sent to every
+cattleman in Union County, demanding their appearance before me. The
+government is determined to re-adjust conditions out here--to enforce
+this new law to the letter. Beginning on the first of next
+month,--September--which will be the day after to-morrow, every cattle
+owner in the county will be required to register his brand and return a
+list of his cattle, for taxation. Any owner refusing to make a fair
+return on his stock will make a grave mistake. Upon his failure to make
+such return the government will seize his stock and dispose of it to the
+highest bidder, deducting such an amount as will cover taxes, court
+costs, and fines, and returning the remainder, if any, to the owner."
+Judge Graney faced Hollis. "I suppose you have received your
+notification to that effect?" he inquired.
+
+"I haven't paid much attention to my mail since--since I met Mr.
+Dunlavey and several of his friends one night--some weeks ago." He
+smiled grimly at Dunlavey, who met his gaze with a derisive grin. "I
+haven't been very much interested in anything except getting well,"
+continued Hollis. "But whether I have been notified or not I shall take
+pleasure in complying with the law. I shall have my list ready on
+time--likewise I shall register my brand."
+
+Dunlavey sneered. "That won't be such an almighty big job--counting your
+steers," he said.
+
+Hollis laughed shortly. "Perhaps not as big a job as it would have been
+had conditions been different," he observed dryly.
+
+"Meaning?" snapped Dunlavey, stiffening in his chair.
+
+"You may draw your own inference," drawled Hollis.
+
+For an instant it seemed that Dunlavey contemplated attacking Hollis; he
+placed both hands on the table before him, preparatory to rising,
+evidently thought better of the idea and sank into the chair again, his
+eyes flashing venomously as they met Hollis's.
+
+"This country's going plum to hell!" he sneered; "when tenderfeet and
+half-baked lawyers get to running things it will be time for the
+cattlemen to pull up stakes and hit the breeze! But I'm telling you one
+thing!" He banged his fist heavily down upon the table in front of him
+and scowled at the Judge, his voice vibrating with passion: "You let
+your damned tenderfoot owners bring in their lists. Mebbe they don't
+know any better. But I ain't bringin' in no list. It's one thing to pass
+a law and another thing to enforce it!" He sat silent for an instant,
+glaring at the Judge, who smiled quietly at him, then he turned to
+Hollis.
+
+"You've been carrying on like you was intending to own this here country
+some day," he sneered; "with your damned newspaper and your lawyer
+friend here. What we handed you the other night was just a sample of
+what you'll get if you don't hit the breeze out of this country!" He got
+to his feet and stood beside the table, glaring around at the three men.
+
+For a moment neither of the three spoke. There was a saturnine, almost
+mocking, smile on the face of the man who stood at the window. In his
+expression one could discover much appreciation of the character of the
+man at whom he was looking--it revealed the fact that he had met such
+men before--and admired them little. There was no fear in the
+expression, yet had one of the other men taken the trouble to look at
+him they would have seen that his right hand was now lingering very
+close to the butt of the revolver at his hip.
+
+Judge Graney cleared his throat. The smile was still on his face, but a
+sudden brightness of the eyes and a flush in each cheek showed that
+Dunlavey's defiance had affected him. Both he and the man at the window
+watched closely as Hollis got to his feet and approached Dunlavey.
+
+Hollis's face was slightly pale, but there was a steady, unwavering
+gleam in his eyes as he walked to within five feet of Dunlavey and stood
+quietly beside the table looking at him.
+
+"Dunlavey," he began slowly, in a soft, even voice, in which there was
+not a hint of excitement, "I haven't anything to do with enforcing the
+law that seems to have come to Union County. You can defy the law if you
+please. But I have something to say in reply to what you have said to
+me. It is this: I haven't any ambition to own the entire country--such
+talk from a grown man is childish. But I do intend to own the little
+I've got in spite of you or anyone else. I am not in the least afraid of
+you. I owe you something on account of the other night and some day I am
+going to thrash you within an inch of your life!"
+
+Dunlavey's hand fell suggestively to his side. "There's no time like the
+present," he sneered.
+
+"Of course I know that you carry a gun," said Hollis still evenly,
+without excitement; "most of you folks out here don't seem to be able to
+get along without one--it seems to be the fashion. Also, I might add,
+every man that carries one seems to yearn to use it. But it has always
+seemed to me that a man who will use a gun without great provocation is
+a coward!" He smiled grimly into Dunlavey's face.
+
+For an instant Dunlavey did not move. His eyes glittered malevolently as
+they bored into Hollis's. Then his expression changed until it was a
+mingling of contempt, incredulity, and mockery.
+
+"So you're thinking of thrashing me?" he sniffed, backing away a little
+and eyeing Hollis critically. "You slugged me once and you're thinking
+to do it again. And you think that any man who uses a gun on another is
+a coward?" He laughed sardonically. "Well, all I've got to say to you is
+that you ain't got your eye-teeth cut yet." He deliberately turned his
+back on Hollis and the others and walked to the door. On the threshold
+he halted, looking back at them all with a sneering smile.
+
+"You know where I live," he said to Judge Graney. "I ain't bringing in
+no list nor I ain't registering my brand. I don't allow no man to come
+monkeying around on my range and if you come out there, thinking to run
+off any of my stock, you're doing it at your own risk!" His gaze went
+from the Judge to Hollis and his smile grew malignant.
+
+"I'm saying this to you," he said, "no man ain't ever thrashed Bill
+Dunlavey yet and I ain't allowing that any man is ever going to. Put
+that in your pipe and smoke it!"
+
+He slammed the door and was gone. Hollis turned from the door to see a
+dry smile on the face of the man at the window.
+
+"Fire eater, ain't he?" observed the latter, as he caught Hollis's
+glance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+THE BEARER OF GOOD NEWS
+
+
+Hollis smiled. The Judge got to his feet and approached the two men.
+
+"Hollis," he said, "shake hands with Mr. Allen, of Lazette."
+
+Allen's hand came out quickly and was grasped by Hollis's, both grips
+being hearty and warm.
+
+"My name's Ben Allen," explained the stranger with a smile. "Tacking on
+a handle like 'Mister' would sure make me feel like a stranger to
+myself."
+
+"We'll not quarrel about that," remarked the Judge with a smile; "we'll
+call you Ben." He looked soberly at Hollis, continuing:
+
+"Allen has been sent over here from Lazette to assist us in establishing
+the law. He was formerly sheriff of Colfax County, having been defeated
+by the Cattlemen's Association because he refused to become a party to
+its schemes. On several occasions since severing his official connection
+with Colfax County he has acted in a special capacity for the
+government. He is an old acquaintance of the new Secretary of the
+Interior and much trusted by him. He is to be the inquisitor mentioned
+in the letter which I read in the presence of Dunlavey."
+
+Hollis looked at Allen with a new interest. After noting again the
+steady, serene eyes, narrowed always with a slight squint; the firm
+straight lips, the well set jaws, Hollis mentally decided that the
+Secretary of the Interior could not have made a better choice.
+Certainly, if he had served as sheriff of Colfax County, he had had some
+excellent experiences, for from reading the _Lazette Eagle_, Hollis had
+acquired considerable knowledge of the character of the inhabitants of
+Colfax. The editor of the _Eagle_ had many times felicitated himself upon
+the fact that his town (Lazette) had not been built ten miles farther
+east--in which case he would have been a resident of Union--and ashamed
+of it.
+
+"I think we need you," said Hollis simply. "But I imagine you will have
+to concentrate your efforts upon one ranch only--the Circle Cross. If
+you make Dunlavey bow to the law you may consider your work finished."
+
+"I think Dunlavey will change his views of things shortly," remarked
+Allen, quietly, but significantly. He smiled at Hollis. "I have read
+your paper regularly," he said. "You've got the editor of our paper
+hopping mad--with your claims about Dry Bottom being superior to
+Lazette. Also, you've stirred up the Secretary of the Interior some. I
+was called to Washington three weeks ago and invited to tell what I knew
+of conditions out here. I didn't exaggerate when I told the Secretary
+that hell was a more peaceful place for a law loving man to live in.
+Though," he added with a smile, "I wasn't ever in hell and couldn't be
+positive. I was just accepting what I've heard preachers say about it.
+The Secretary asked me if I knowed you and I told him that though I
+didn't I would be right glad to if you was doing anything in my line. He
+laughed and said he'd miss his guess if you wasn't making things
+interesting. Told me to get you to one side and tell you to go to it."
+He smiled dryly. "According to what I've read in the _Kicker_ you don't
+need to be told that and so I'm keeping my mouth shut."
+
+He dropped his humor and spoke seriously, questioning Hollis about the
+location of his ranch, listening quietly and attentively to the latter's
+answers. Half an hour later after having arranged with Judge Graney for
+the registering of his brand and the listing of his cattle, Hollis left
+the court house and went to his office. In running through his mail he
+came upon Judge Graney's notification and also another letter,
+postmarked "Chicago," which drew a pleased smile to his face. A few
+minutes later Norton came in, and though Hollis had done very little on
+the paper he rose and smilingly announced his intention of returning to
+the Circle Bar.
+
+"We'll take the Coyote trail," he informed Norton, after they had
+mounted and were riding away from the _Kicker_ office; "I'm stopping for a
+moment at the Hazelton cabin. Of course," he added, seeing a knowing
+grin on Norton's face, "I expected you would be suspicious--married
+folks have a habit of adopting a supercilious and all-wise attitude
+toward those of us who have been unfortunate enough to remain in a state
+of single blessedness."
+
+"Meanin' that you're some sore because you ain't got hooked up yet?"
+grinned Norton.
+
+"Perhaps," laughed Hollis. "But I have been thinking seriously of trying
+to reach your altitude."
+
+"Girl willin'?" queried Norton, as they rode down through a little
+gully, then up to a stretch of plain that brought them to the Coyote
+trail.
+
+"That's where I am all at sea," returned Hollis. He laughed. "I suppose
+you've read Ace's poem in the Kicker?" He caught Norton's nod and
+continued. "Well, Ace succeeded in crowding a whole lot of truth into
+that effort. Of course you remember the first couplet:
+
+    "'Woman--she don't need no tooter,
+    Be she skule ma'am or biscut shooter."'
+
+he quoted.
+
+"A woman seems to have an intuitive knowledge of man's mental processes.
+At least she gauges him pretty well without letting him into the mystery
+of how she does it. A man can never tell where he will land." Ace came
+very near striking the nail on the head when he wrote in the second
+couplet that:
+
+    'She has most curyus ways about her,
+    Which leads a man to kinda dout her.'
+
+"And then, knowing man so well, she absolutely refuses to let him know
+anything of her thoughts. Which again, Ace has noted in this manner:
+
+     'Though lookin' at her is sure a pleasure;
+    There ain't no way to get her measure.
+     I reckon she had man on the run
+    A long while before the world begun.'
+
+"That seems to be the exact truth," he laughed.
+
+Norton grinned at him. "You single guys have certa'nly got a whole lot
+to learn," he said, "for a fact. Of course if she's any kind of a woman
+at all she's got him runnin'. But which way?"
+
+"Why, toward her, of course!" laughed Hollis.
+
+Norton's smile widened. "You've tumbled to that, then," he observed
+dryly. "Then you're ready for the next lesson."
+
+"And that?" questioned Hollis.
+
+Norton smiled with ineffable pity. "Lordy!" he laughed; "you single guys
+don't know a thing not a durned thing!"
+
+After that they rode on in silence. When they came in sight of the
+Hazelton cabin Norton reined in his pony and sat motionless in the
+saddle, grinning at Hollis.
+
+"You run along now," he advised. "I'll be hittin' her off toward the Dry
+Bottom trail for the rest of the way--I sorta like that trail better
+anyway."
+
+He urged his pony off at a tangent and Hollis continued on his way. He
+found Nellie alone, her brother having gone out on the range. She came
+out on the porch, hearing his pony's hoofs on the hard sand and rocks of
+the trail, and there was a sincere welcome in her eyes. It was the first
+time that he had visited the cabin since he had returned to the Circle
+Bar.
+
+"Oh!" she said delightedly. And then, aware of the sudden light that had
+come into Hollis's eyes at this evidence of interest, she blushed and
+looked down at the hem of her skirt, nervously pushing it out with the
+toe of her shoe.
+
+During the days of Hollis's convalescence at the Hazelton cabin he had
+seen the young woman in many moods. In none of them, however, had she
+seemed so attractive as now. Confusion became her, he decided, and he
+regarded her with a new interest as he sat on his pony, awaiting her
+invitation to dismount. It came presently.
+
+"It is frightfully hot," she said, moving over to where stood two
+chairs--one in which he had passed many hours during the days of his
+convalescence, the other in which she had sat quite often--near him. Not
+until now did he realize how full and satisfying those days had been. As
+he dismounted and tied his pony to one of the slender porch columns he
+smiled--thinking of Norton's question during their discussion of Ace's
+poem. "Of course"--the range boss had said--"if she's any kind of a
+woman at all she's got him runnin'. But which way?" Of
+course--literally--she did not have him running, but he knew that some
+uncommon passion had gripped him and that he was unaccountably pleased.
+
+His smile grew when he remembered her sudden indignation over his
+thoughtless statement that women had never interested him. Of course he
+would not tell her that he felt a serious interest in _one_ woman.
+When he dropped into his favorite chair, removing his hat and mopping
+the perspiration from his forehead with his handkerchief, he caught her
+looking swiftly at the scar under his right eye--which would always be a
+reminder of his experience on the night of the storm. She saw his brows
+contract in a frown.
+
+"You have quite recovered," she said; "except for that slight scar under
+the eye you are the same as before the meeting with Dunlavey's men."
+
+He looked beyond her at the tawny mountains that rose in the
+distance,--miles on the other side of the big basin--swimming in the
+shimmering blur of white sky--somber guardians of a mysterious world.
+What secret did they guard? What did they know of this world of eternal
+sunlight, of infinite distance? Did they know as much of the world upon
+which they frowned as he knew of the heart of the slender, motherly girl
+whose eyes betrayed her each time he looked into them?
+
+A smile that lurked deep within him did not show in his face--it was
+unborn and it gripped him strangely, creating a sensation in his breast
+that he could not analyze, but which pleaded to be expressed. He could
+not express it--now. He feared to trust himself and so he fought it
+down, assuring himself that it was not yet time. But he knew that he was
+not the same as before his experience with Dunlavey on the night of the
+storm. Something had stolen into his heart and was enthroned there;
+something deeper than a mere scar--a girl who had mothered him in his
+extremity; who had hovered over him, attending to his bruises, binding
+his wounds, tenderly smoothing his brow during the days and nights of
+the fever; attending his wants during convalescence; erecting a citadel
+in his heart which would stand as a monument to his gratitude. No, not
+gratitude merely. The smile was born. He turned and looked at her,
+meeting her eyes fairly, and hers dropped in confusion.
+
+"Do you think that I am the same as before?" he asked suddenly.
+
+She stood up, radiant, pointing a finger toward the Coyote trail. "Ed is
+coming!" she declared.
+
+Before he could say another word she was down off the porch and running
+toward her brother, holding his horse while he dismounted, kissing him,
+patting him lovingly as they came toward the porch.
+
+The latter greeted Hollis warmly. "A fellow couldn't help but feel good
+with a sister like that--now could he?" he inquired as he came upon the
+porch and took the chair which Nellie had vacated. She had disappeared
+into the cabin, not even looking at Hollis, but she could not have heard
+Hollis's reply had she remained. For it was wordless. There are times
+when men understand perfectly without speech.
+
+Hollis stayed for dinner. Nellie was radiantly silent during the meal,
+attending to the wants of the two men, listening while they discussed
+recent happenings in the county. Ed was much pleased to hear of the
+coming of Ben Allen.
+
+"That guy is business--through and through," he assured Hollis. "He was
+the best sheriff Colfax County ever had--and it's had some good ones.
+Allen's quiet, but there ain't anyone going to herdride him. Some have
+tried it, but they found it didn't pay and so they don't try it any
+more."
+
+After dinner they went out on the porch for a smoke, leaving Nellie
+inside. They could hear her singing as she washed the dishes. Hazelton
+smiled as a particularly happy note reached his ears. "I don't know
+what's got into Sis," he said, flashing a swift glance at Hollis. "I
+don't know as I ever heard her sing that well before."
+
+Hollis made no reply and the conversation turned to the drought--as all
+conversations did during that period. Word had come to Hazelton of
+Dunlavey's warning to the cattle owners. He had heard also of Hollis's
+announced intention of taking sides with the small owners.
+
+"Dunlavey's ten days is up the day after tomorrow," said Hazelton. "If
+Dunlavey starts anything what are you going to do?"
+
+"That will depend on what Dunlavey starts," smiled Hollis.
+
+"H'm!" inexpressively grunted Hazelton. He flashed a glance at the face
+of the young man beside him, noting the firm mouth, the steady eyes, and
+the faint, grim smile. "H'm!" he said again. "I suppose you know who
+you're going to give your water to?" he questioned.
+
+Hollis nodded. "To men who refused to help my father when he needed
+help," he returned.
+
+Hazelton smiled oddly. "I've heard about that," he said. He laughed. "It
+strikes me that I wouldn't give such men any water," he added.
+
+Hollis turned and looked at him, meeting his gaze fairly, and holding
+it.
+
+"Yes, you would, Hazelton," he said, a broad smile on his face.
+
+"How do you know that?" queried the latter, slightly defiant.
+
+Hollis motioned toward the kitchen door. "I know," he said; "you're her
+brother."
+
+"Well," began Hazelton hesitatingly,--"I----"
+
+The screen door opened--slammed, and Nellie Hazelton came out upon the
+porch. She had found time to change her morning dress for a soft, fluffy
+creation of some sort, and she stood before them, flushing slightly as
+both looked at her, a picture that smote Hollis's heart with a sudden
+longing. Only one glance did she give him and then she was over near
+Ed's chair, leaning over him, stroking his hair.
+
+For a long time Hollis sat, watching them with sympathetic, appreciative
+eyes. Then he thought of the letter in his pocket, the one postmarked
+"Chicago," which he had discovered at the _Kicker_ office on
+returning from the court house. He drew it from his pocket and read the
+legend in the upper left hand corner:
+
+"Dr. J. J. Hammond, ---- Hospital, Chicago, Ill."
+
+He studied the legend for some little time, his thoughts busy with the
+contents of the envelope. Fortunately, his letter to the great physician
+had fallen into the hands of the son, Tom Hammond, and the latter, not
+forgetting his old schoolmate, had appealed to his father. This was what
+the surgeon had written in the letter--he would not have agreed to
+accept the case had it not been for the fact that Hollis had been, and
+was Tom's friend. He would be pleased if the patient would make the
+journey to Chicago within a month, that he might be able to take up his
+case before entering upon some scientific investigations which had been
+deferred a long time, etc.
+
+Hollis had been reading the letter again. He finished it and looked up,
+to see Ed and Nellie watching him. He flushed and smiled, holding out
+the letter to Nellie.
+
+"I beg your pardon," he said. "I found this interesting. Perhaps you
+will also find it so."
+
+He leaned back with a smile and watched them. But he did not, watch
+long. He saw Nellie start, saw the color slowly recede from her face,
+saw her hands clench tightly--as she began to read the letter. He turned
+away, not caring to watch them during that sacred moment in which they
+would read the line of hope that the great surgeon had written. He
+looked--it seemed--for a long time down the Coyote trail, and when he
+finally turned his head toward them he saw Ed Hazelton sitting erect in
+his chair, apparently stunned by the news. But before him, close to him,
+so close that he felt her breath in his face--her eyes wide with
+delight, thankfulness--and perhaps something more--Nellie was kneeling.
+
+"Oh, thank you, Mr. Hollis!" she said earnestly, her lips all a-quiver;
+"Thank you, and God bless you!"
+
+He tried to sit erect; tried to open his lips to tell her that he had
+done only what any man would have done under the circumstances. But he
+moved not, nor did he speak, for her arms had gone around his shoulders,
+and her lips were suddenly pressed firmly and quickly to his. Then he
+was released and she turned, crying:
+
+"Come and thank him, Ed!"
+
+But Ed had taken himself off--perhaps he did not care to allow anyone to
+witness his joy.
+
+Some time during the evening Hollis took his departure from the Hazelton
+cabin. Ed had come back, silently taking Hollis's hand and gripping it
+earnestly. And before Hollis had departed Ed had taken himself into the
+house. Perhaps he divined that there were other's joys beside his.
+
+That night before retiring Nellie stole softly into her brother's room
+and kissed him lightly on the forehead. That same night also Hollis rode
+up to the Circle Bar corral gate--singing. Norton and Potter were
+sitting on the gallery, waiting for him. While Hollis was removing the
+saddle from his pony Norton rose from his chair and smiled at Potter.
+
+"Well," he said to the latter, "I'm goin' to bed." He moved a few steps
+toward the door and then turned and looked back at Potter, who had also
+risen. He laughed.
+
+"Listen, Potter," he said. Then he quoted:
+
+    "Woman--she don't need no tooter
+    Be she skule ma'am or biscuit shooter."
+
+He hesitated and looked again at Potter. "Why," said the latter,
+puzzled, "that's from Ace's poem!"
+
+"Sure," laughed Norton; "that's just what it is!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE RUSTLER
+
+
+The following day Hollis rode to town over the Dry Bottom trail. Had he
+followed a perfectly natural inclination he would have taken the Coyote,
+for it would have brought him to the Hazelton cabin. But he succeeded in
+forcing himself to go the other way, arguing that Nellie and her brother
+might wish to be alone to consider the great good fortune that had come
+upon them.
+
+And so they did, though had Hollis appeared to them this morning as they
+sat upon the porch he would have been assured of a royal welcome.
+Indeed, during the early morning hours Nellie had cast many furtive,
+expectant glances down the Coyote trail. When eight o'clock came and
+Hollis did not appear she gave him up.
+
+The dawn found her kneeling beside her brother's bed.
+
+"Ed!" she said, leaning over him, waking him, her eyes alight with joy;
+"Ed, he says you can be cured!"
+
+He struggled and sat up, rubbing his eyes.
+
+"Gosh, sis!" he said in an awed voice. "Then it's true! I was afraid I'd
+been dreaming!"
+
+"It is no dream," she returned ecstatically; "it is reality--beautiful
+reality! Wasn't it simply _great_ of him to take such an interest
+in us?"
+
+"Us?" grinned Ed, noting her crimson, happy face. "Well, mebbe he did it
+for _us_," he added subtly, "but I take it I've got a right to have
+another opinion on that."
+
+She fled from him without answering and a little later he heard her
+singing as she prepared breakfast. After the meal Ed made a short trip
+out into the basin to look after his cattle and then returned to the
+cabin. Sitting on the porch he and Nellie devoted several hours to a
+grave discussion of the situation. They discovered that it had a serious
+side.
+
+In the first place there was the dangerous nature of the operation. Here
+Ed laughed away his sister's fears by assuring her that he had an
+excellent constitution and that since the fall from the pony had not
+killed him he was in no danger from the knife. If Nellie entertained any
+doubt of this she wisely remained silent, though Ed could see that she
+was not entirely reassured. He swept away her last objection to this
+forbidding feature when he told her that he preferred taking the risk to
+living in constant dread of a recurrence of an acute attack of his
+malady--such as he had experienced when he had attacked Hollis in
+Devil's Hollow.
+
+There were many other things to be discussed--chiefly the care of the
+cattle and the cabin during his absence in Chicago. He would not listen
+to her suggestion to accompany him--he would prefer to have her remain
+at the cabin. Or he would try to arrange with Hollis for her to stay at
+the Circle Bar. There she would have Mrs. Norton for a companion, and
+she might ride each day to the cabin. He was certain that Hollis would
+arrange to have his men care for the cattle. He assured her that he
+would settle that question with Hollis when the latter passed the cabin
+that night on his return to the Circle Bar. Of course Hollis would take
+the Coyote trail to-night, he insinuated, grinning hugely at the blushes
+that reached her face.
+
+But Hollis did not pass the cabin that night. He had taken the Dry
+Bottom trail on his return to the Circle Bar.
+
+He had accomplished very little that day on account of the heat--and a
+certain vision that had troubled him--taking his mind off his work and
+projecting it to a little cabin in a small basin, to a porch where sat a
+girl--the girl of his vision. She had voluntarily kissed him. Had it
+been all on account of gratitude? Of course--though--Well, memory of the
+kiss still lingered and he was willing to forgive her the slight lapse
+of modesty because he had been the recipient.
+
+There had been one interesting development in Dry Bottom during the day.
+All day the town had swarmed with ranch owners who had come in to the
+court house to list their cattle for taxation and register their brands.
+Shortly after noon Ben Allen had dropped into the _Kicker_ office
+with the news that every owner in the county with the exception of
+Dunlavey had responded to the law's demands.
+
+To Hollis's inquiry regarding the course he would pursue in forcing
+Dunlavey to comply with the law, Allen remarked with a smile that there
+was "plenty of time." He had had much experience with men of the
+Dunlavey type.
+
+Potter and Hollis exchanged few words during the ride to the Circle Bar.
+The heat--the eternal, scorching, blighting heat--still continued; the
+dust had become an almost unbearable irritation. During the trip to the
+ranch the two men came upon an arroyo over which Hollis had passed many
+times. At a water hole where he had often watered his horse they came
+upon several dead steers stretched prone in the green slime. The water
+had disappeared; the spring that had provided it had dried and there was
+nothing to tell of it except a small stretch of damp earth, baking in
+the sun. The steers were gaunt, lanky creatures, their hides stretched
+tight as drum-heads over their ribs, their tongues lolling out, black
+and swollen, telling mutely of their long search for water and their
+suffering. Coyotes had been at work on them; here lay a heap of bare
+bones; there a skull glistened in the white sunlight.
+
+A few miles farther on they came upon one of the punchers from the
+Circle Y with a calf thrown over the saddle in front of him. He was
+driving several gaunt, drooping cattle toward the Rabbit-Ear. The calf
+bellowed piteously at sight of Hollis and Potter. The puncher hailed
+them.
+
+"You're Hollis, of the Circle Bar, ain't you?" he said when the latter
+had spurred his pony close to him. At Hollis's nod he grinned
+ironically. "Hot!" he said, coming quickly to the universal topic of
+conversation; "I reckon this wouldn't be called hot in some places--in
+hell, for instance. Say," he said as he saw Hollis's lips straighten,
+"to-morrow the ten days is up. Mebbe it'll be hotter then. The damned
+skunk!"
+
+Of course he referred to Dunlavey--the latter's threat to drive all
+foreign cattle from the Rabbit-Ear had been carried far and wide by
+riders--the whole country knew of it. There had been much condemnation
+and some speculation, but there was nothing to be done until after the
+tenth day. Even then much depended upon Hollis's attitude. Would he make
+war upon Dunlavey in defense of the men who had refused aid to his
+father in time of need?
+
+Hollis was still of the opinion that Dunlavey would not attempt to carry
+out his threat. He smiled at the malevolent expression in the puncher's
+eyes.
+
+"Somehow," he said quietly, "I have always been able to distinguish
+between empty boast and determination. Dunlavey has done some foolish
+things, no doubt, and is doing a foolish thing in defying the law, but I
+don't anticipate that he will do anything quite so rash as to further
+antagonize the small owners."
+
+The puncher sat erect and laughed harshly. "You don't?" he inquired in
+an over-gentle, polite voice. "Mister Hollis," he added, as the latter
+looked quickly at him, "you ain't heard nothin' from the Circle Bar
+to-day, I reckon?"
+
+Hollis's answer was negative. The Circle Y man's face grew suddenly
+serious. "You ain't! Well, then, that's the reason you're talkin' so.
+The last I heard from the Circle Bar was that Norton an' some of your
+men had captured one of Dunlavey's men--Greasy--rebrandin' some Circle
+Bar steers an' was gettin' ready to string him up. I reckon mebbe you'd
+call that doin' somethin'!"
+
+Hollis straightened. He had suddenly forgotten the heat, the dust, and
+the problem of water.
+
+"How long ago did you hear this?" he demanded sharply.
+
+"'Bout an hour ago," returned the Circle Y man. "I was rustlin' up these
+strays down in the basin an' headin' them toward the crick when I runs
+plum into a man from the Three Bar outfit. He was plum excited over it.
+Said they'd ketched Greasy down by the Narrows sometime after noon
+an'----"
+
+But the Circle Y man finished to the empty air for Hollis's pony had
+leaped forward into a cloud of dust, running desperately.
+
+The Circle Y man sat erect, startled. "Well, I'll be----" he began,
+speaking to Potter. But the printer was following his chief and was
+already out of hearing. "Now what do you suppose----" again began the
+Circle Y man, and then fell silent, suddenly smitten with the
+uselessness of speech. He yelled at his gaunt steers and shifted the
+calf in front of him to a more comfortable position. Then he proceeded
+on his way. But as he rode his lips curled, his eyes narrowed, and
+speech again returned to him. "Now why in hell would a man get so damned
+excited over hearin' that someone was goin' to string up a measly
+rustler?"
+
+The interrogation remained unanswered. The Circle Y man continued on his
+way, watching the fast disappearing dust clouds on the Circle Bar trail.
+
+When Hollis reached the Circle Bar ranchhouse there was no one about. He
+rode up to the front gallery and dismounted, thinking that perhaps
+Norton would be in the house. But before he had crossed the gallery Mrs.
+Norton came to the door. She was pale and laboring under great
+excitement, but instantly divined Hollis's errand.
+
+"They've taken him down to the cottonwood" she told Hollis, pointing
+toward the grove in which Hollis had tried the six-shooter that Norton
+had given him the first day after his arrival at the ranch. "They are
+going to hang him! Hurry!"
+
+Hollis was back in the saddle in an instant and racing his pony down
+past the bunk house at break-neck speed. He urged the little animal
+across an intervening stretch of plain, up a slight rise, down into a
+shallow valley, and into the cottonwood, riding recklessly through the
+trees and urging the pony at a headlong pace through the
+underbrush--crashing it down, scaring the rattlers from their
+concealment, and startling the birds from their lofty retreats.
+
+For ten minutes he rode as he had never ridden before. And then he came
+upon them. They stood at the base of a fir-balsam, whose gnarled limbs
+spread flatly outward--three Circle Bar men, a half dozen from the
+various outfits whose herds grazed his range, and the rustler--Greasy--a
+rope knotted about his neck, standing directly under one of the
+out-spreading limbs of the tree, his head bowed, but his face wearing a
+mocking, defiant grin. The rope had been thrown over the limb and
+several men were holding it, preparatory to drawing it taut. Norton was
+standing near, his face pale, his lips straight and grim with
+determination. Apparently Hollis had arrived just in time.
+
+None of the men moved from their places when Hollis dismounted, but all
+looked at him as though expecting him to express approval of what they
+were about to do. Several lowered their gaze with embarrassment when
+they saw that he did not approve.
+
+"What is all this about, Norton?" he asked, speaking to the latter, who
+had stepped forward and now stood beside Greasy. Whatever excitement had
+resulted from the sudden discovery that his men had captured a rustler
+and were about to hang him, together with the strain of his hard ride to
+the cottonwood, had disappeared, and Hollis's voice was quiet as he
+addressed his range boss.
+
+Norton smiled grimly. "We were roundin' up a few strays just the other
+side of the Narrows this morning, and Ace and Weary were workin' down
+the river. In that little stretch of gully just the other side of the
+Narrows they came upon this sneak brandin' two of our beeves through a
+piece of wet blanket. He'd already done it an' so we ketched him with
+the goods. It's the first time we've ever been able to lay a hand on one
+of Dunlavey's pluguglies, an' we was figgerin' on makin' an example of
+him."
+
+Hollis met Norton's grim gaze and smiled. "I want to thank you--all of
+you, for guarding my interests so zealously," he said. "There is no
+doubt that this man richly deserves hanging--that is, of course,
+according to your code of ethics. I understand that is the way things
+have been done heretofore. But I take it none of you want to make me
+appear ridiculous?"
+
+"Sure not," came several voices in chorus.
+
+Hollis laughed. "But you took the surest way of making me appear so," he
+returned.
+
+He saw Norton's face flush and he knew that the latter had already
+grasped the significance of his words. But the others, simpler of mind,
+reasoning by no involved process, looked at him, plainly puzzled. He
+would have to explain more fully to them. He did so. When he had shown
+them that in hanging the rustler he would be violating the principle
+that he had elected to defend, they stood before him abashed, thoroughly
+disarmed. All except Ace. The poet's mind was still active.
+
+"I reckon you might say you didn't know nothin' about us hangin' him?"
+he suggested.
+
+"So I might," returned Hollis. "But people would not think so. And there
+is my conscience. It wouldn't be such a weight upon it--the hanging of
+this man; I believe I would enjoy standing here and watching him stretch
+your rope. But I would not be able to reconcile the action with the
+principle for which I am fighting. I believe none of you men would trust
+me very much if I advocated the law one day and broke it the next. The
+application of this principle would be much the same as if I stole a
+horse to-day and to-morrow had you arrested for stealing one."
+
+"That's so," they chorused, and fell silent, regarding him with a new
+interest.
+
+"But what are you goin' to do with the cuss?" queried one man.
+
+"We have a sheriff in Dry Bottom, I expect?" questioned Hollis.
+
+Grins appeared on the faces of several of the men; the prisoner's face
+lighted.
+
+"Oh, yes," said one; "I reckon Bill Watkins is the sheriff all right."
+
+"Then we'll take him to Bill Watkins," decided Hollis.
+
+The grins on the faces of several of the men grew. Norton laughed.
+
+"I reckon you ain't got acquainted with Bill yet, Hollis," he said.
+"Bill owes his place to Dunlavey. There has never been a rustler
+convicted by Watkins yet. I reckon there won't ever be any
+convicted--unless he's been caught stealin' Dunlavey's cattle. Bill's
+justice is a joke."
+
+Hollis smiled grimly. He had learned that much from Judge Graney. He did
+not expect to secure justice, but he wished to have something tangible
+upon which to work to force the law into the country. His duty in the
+matter consisted only in delivering the prisoner into the custody of the
+authorities, which in this case was the sheriff. The sheriff would be
+held responsible for him. He said this much to the men. There was no
+other lawful way.
+
+He was not surprised that they agreed with him. They had had much
+experience in dealing with Dunlavey; they had never been successful with
+the old methods of warfare and they were quite willing to trust to
+Hollis's judgment.
+
+"I reckon you're just about right," said one who had spoken before.
+"Stringin' this guy up would finish him all right. But that wouldn't
+settle the thing. What's needed is to get it fixed up for good an' all."
+
+"Correct!" agreed Hollis; "you've got it exactly. We might hang a dozen
+men for stealing cattle and we could go on hanging them. We've got no
+right to hang anyone--we've got a law for that purpose. Then let us make
+the law act!"
+
+The prisoner had stood in his place, watching the men around him, his
+face betraying varying emotions. When it had been finally agreed to take
+him to Dry Bottom and deliver him over to the sheriff he grinned
+broadly. But he said nothing as they took the rope from around his neck,
+forced him to mount a horse and surrounding him, rode out of the
+cottonwood toward the Circle Bar ranchhouse.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+THE TENTH DAY
+
+
+Dusk had fallen by the time Greasy had been brought to the bunkhouse,
+and Mrs. Norton had lighted the kerosene lamps when Norton and Hollis,
+assured of the safety of the prisoner, left the bunkhouse and went into
+the house for supper. Potter had washed the dust of travel from him and
+when Norton and Hollis arrived he was seated on the porch, awaiting
+them. Mrs. Norton greeted them with a smile. Her eyes expressed
+gratitude as they met Hollis's.
+
+"I am so glad you were in time," she said. "I told Neil not to do it,
+but he was determined and wouldn't listen to me."
+
+"You might have tried 'bossing' him," suggested Hollis, remembering his
+range boss's words on the occasion of his first meeting with Norton's
+wife. He looked straight at Norton, his eyes narrowing quizzically. "You
+know you told me once that----"
+
+"Mebbe I was stretchin' things a little when I told you that,"
+interrupted Norton, grinning shamelessly. "If a man told the truth all
+the time he'd have a hard time keepin' ahead of a woman."
+
+"'Woman--she don't need no tooter,'" quoted Hollis. "It has taken you a
+long time to discover what Ace has apparently known for years. And Ace
+is only a bachelor."
+
+Norton's eyes lighted. "You're gettin' back at me for what I said to you
+the day before yesterday--when you stopped off at Hazelton's," he
+declared. "All the same you'll know more about women when you've had
+more experience with them. When I told you that I'd been 'bossed,' I
+didn't mean that I'd been bossed regular. No woman that knows just how
+much she can run a man ever lets him know that she's bossin' him. Mebbe
+she'll act like she's lettin' him have his own way. But she's bossin'
+him just the same. He sort of likes it, I reckon. At least it's only
+when a man gets real mad that he does a little bossin' on his own
+account. And then, like as not, he'll find that he's made a big mistake.
+Like I did to-day about hangin' Greasy, for instance."
+
+Hollis bowed gravely to Mrs. Norton. "I think he ought to be forgiven,
+Mrs. Norton," he said. "Day before yesterday he presumed to lecture me
+on the superiority of the married male over the unmarried one. And now
+he humbly admits to being bossed. What then becomes of his much talked
+of superiority? Shall I--free and unbossed--admit inferiority?"
+
+Mrs. Norton smiled wisely as she moved around the table, arranging the
+dishes. "I couldn't decide that," she said, "until it is explained to me
+why so many men are apparently so eager to engage a boss."
+
+"I reckon that settles that argument!" gloated Norton.
+
+Had this conversation taken place two months before Hollis might have
+answered, Why, indeed, were men so eager to engage a boss? Two months
+before he might have answered cynically, remembering the unhappiness of
+his parents. That he did not answer now showed that he was no longer
+cynical; that he had experienced a change of heart.
+
+Of course Mrs. Norton knew this--Norton must have told her. He could
+appreciate the subtle mockery that had suggested the question, but he
+did not purpose to allow Norton to sit there and enjoy the confusion
+that was sure to overtake him did he attempt to continue the argument
+with Mrs. Norton. He was quite certain that Norton anticipated such an
+outcome.
+
+"Perhaps Norton can answer that?" he suggested mildly.
+
+"I ain't no good at guessin' riddles," jeered Norton. "But I reckon you
+know--if you wanted to tell."
+
+But Hollis did not tell, and the conversation shifted to other subjects.
+After supper they went out upon the porch. A slight breeze had sprung up
+with the dusk, though the sky was still cloudless. At ten o'clock, when
+they retired, the breeze had increased in velocity, sighing mournfully
+through the trees in the vicinity of the ranchhouse, though there was no
+perceptible change in the atmosphere--it seemed that the wind was merely
+shifting the heat waves from one point to another.
+
+"A good, decent rain would save lots of trouble to-morrow," said Norton
+as he and Hollis stood on the porch, taking a last look at the sky
+before going to bed.
+
+"Do you really think Dunlavey will carry out his threat?" questioned
+Hollis. "Somehow I can't help but think that he was bluffing when he
+said it."
+
+"He don't do much bluffin'," declared Norton. "At least he ain't done
+much up to now."
+
+"But there is plenty of water in the Rabbit-Ear," returned Hollis;
+"plenty for all the cattle that are here now."
+
+Norton flashed a swift glance at him. "That's because you don't know
+this country," he said. "Four years ago we had a dry spell. Not so bad
+as this, but bad enough. The Rabbit-Ear held up good enough for two
+months. Then she went dry sudden. There wasn't water enough in her to
+fill a thimble. I reckon you ain't been watchin' her for the last day or
+so?"
+
+Hollis admitted that he had not seen the river within that time. Norton
+laughed shortly.
+
+"She's dry in spots now," he informed Hollis. "There ain't any water at
+all in the shallows. It's tricklin' through in some places, but mostly
+there's nothin' but water holes an' dried, baked mud. In two days more,
+if it don't rain, there won't be water enough for our own stock. Then
+what?"
+
+"There will be water for every steer on the range as long as it lasts,"
+declared Hollis grimly. "After that we'll all take our medicine
+together."
+
+"Good!" declared Norton. "That's what I expected of you. But I don't
+think it's goin' to work out that way. Weary was ridin' the Razor Back
+this mornin' and he says he saw Dunlavey an' Yuma and some more Circle
+Cross guys nosin' around behind some brush on the other side of the
+creek. They all had rifles."
+
+Hollis's face paled slightly. "Where are the other men--Train and the
+rest?" he inquired.
+
+"Down on Razor Back," Norton informed him; "they sneaked down there
+after Weary told me about seein' Dunlavey on the other side. Likely
+they're scattered by now--keepin' an eye out for trouble."
+
+"Well," decided Hollis, "there isn't any use of looking for it. It finds
+all of us soon enough. To-morrow is the tenth day and I am sure that if
+Dunlavey carries out his threat he won't start anything until to-morrow.
+Therefore I am going to bed." He laughed. "Call me if you hear any
+shooting. I may want to take a hand in it."
+
+They parted--Hollis going to his room and Norton stepping down off the
+porch to take a turn down around the pasture to look after the horses.
+
+Hollis was tired after his experiences of the day and soon dropped off
+to sleep. It seemed that he had been asleep only a few minutes, however,
+when he felt a hand shaking him, and a voice--Norton's voice.
+
+"Hollis!" said the range boss. "Hollis! Wake up!"
+
+Hollis sat erect, startled into perfect wakefulness. He could not see
+Norton's face in the dark, but he swung around and sat on the edge of
+the bed.
+
+"What's up?" he demanded. "Have they started?"
+
+He heard Norton laugh, and there was satisfaction in the laugh.
+"Started?" he repeated. "Well, I reckon something's started. Listen!"
+
+Hollis listened. A soft patter on the roof, a gentle sighing of the
+wind, and a distant, low rumble reached his ears. He started up. "Why,
+it's raining!" he said.
+
+Norton chuckled. "Rainin'!" he chirped joyously. "Well, I reckon it
+might be called that by someone who didn't know what rain is. But I'm
+tellin' you that it ain't rainin'--it's pourin'! It's a cloud-burst,
+that's what it is!"
+
+Hollis did not answer. He ran to the window and stuck his head out. The
+rain came against his head and shoulders in stinging, vicious slants.
+There was little lightning, and what there was seemed distant, as though
+the storm covered a vast area. He could dimly see the pasture--the
+horses huddled in a corner under the shelter that had been erected for
+them; he could see the tops of the trees in the cottonwood
+grove--bending, twisting, leaning from the wind; the bunkhouse door was
+open, a stream of light illuminating a space in which stood several of
+the cowboys. Some were attired as usual, others but scantily, but all
+were outside in the rain, singing, shouting, and pounding one another in
+an excess of joy. For half an hour Hollis stood at the window, watching
+them, looking out at the storm. There was no break anywhere in the sky
+from horizon to horizon. Plainly there was to be plenty of rain.
+Convinced of this he drew a deep breath of satisfaction, humor moving
+him.
+
+"I do hope Dunlavey and his men don't get wet." he said. He went to his
+trousers and drew forth his watch. He could not see the face of it and
+so he carried it to the window. The hands pointed to fifteen minutes
+after one. "It's the tenth day," he smiled. "Dunlavey might have saved
+himself considerable trouble in the future if he had placed a little
+trust in Providence--and not antagonized the small owners. I don't think
+Providence has been looking out for my interests, but I wonder who will
+stand the better in the estimation of the people of this
+county--Dunlavey or me?"
+
+He smiled again, sighed with satisfaction, and rolled into bed. For a
+long time he lay, listening to the patter of the rain on the roof, and
+then dropped off to sleep.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+HOW A RUSTLER ESCAPED
+
+
+When Hollis got out of bed at six o'clock that same morning he heard
+surprising sounds outside. Slipping on his clothes he went to the window
+and looked out. Men were yelling at one another, screeching delightful
+oaths, capering about hatless, coatless, in the rain that still came
+steadily down. The corral yard was a mire of sticky mud in which the
+horses reared and plunged in evident appreciation of the welcome change
+from dry heat to lifegiving moisture. Riderless horses stood about, no
+one caring about the saddles, several calves capered awkwardly in the
+pasture. Norton's dog--about which he had joked to Hollis during the
+latter's first ride to the Circle Bar--was yelping joyously and running
+madly from one man to another.
+
+Norton himself stood down by the door of the bunkhouse, grinning with
+delight. Near him stood Lemuel Train, and several of the other small
+ranchers whose stock had grazed for more than two weeks on the Circle
+Bar range without objection from Hollis. They saw him and motioned for
+him to come down, directing original oaths at him for sleeping so late
+on so "fine a morning."
+
+He dressed hastily and went down. They all ate breakfast in the mess
+house, the cook being adjured to "spread it on for all he was
+worth"--which he did. Certainly no one left the mess house hungry.
+During the meal Lemuel Train made a speech on behalf of himself and the
+other owners who had enjoyed Hollis's hospitality, assuring him that
+they were "with him" from now on. Then they departed, each going his
+separate way to round up his cattle and drive them back to the home
+ranch.
+
+The rain continued throughout the day and far into the night. The dried,
+gasping country absorbed water until it was sated and then began to shed
+it off into the arroyos, the gullies, the depressions, and the river
+beds. Every hollow overflowed with it; it seemed there could never be
+another drought.
+
+Before dawn on the following day all the small ranchers had departed.
+Several of them, on their way to their home ranches, stopped off at the
+Circle Bar to shake hands with Hollis and assure him of their
+appreciation. Lemuel Train did not forget to curse Dunlavey.
+
+"We ain't likely to forget how he stood on the water proposition," he
+said.
+
+After Train had departed Norton stood looking after him. Then he turned
+and looked at Hollis, his eyes narrowing quizzically. "You've got in
+right with that crowd," he said. "Durned if I don't believe you knowed
+all the time that it was goin' to rain before Dunlavey's tenth day was
+over!"
+
+Hollis smiled oddly. "Perhaps," he returned; "there is no law, moral or
+otherwise, to prevent a man from looking a little ahead."
+
+After breakfast Hollis gave orders to have Greasy prepared for travel,
+and an hour later he and the range boss, both armed with rifles, rode
+out of the corral yard with Greasy riding between them and took the Dry
+Bottom trail.
+
+The earth had already dried; the trail was hard, level, and dustless,
+and traveling was a pleasure. But neither of the three spoke a word to
+one another during the entire trip to Dry Bottom. Greasy bestrode his
+horse loosely, carelessly defiant; Norton kept a watchful eye on him,
+and Hollis rode steadily, his gaze fixed thoughtfully on the trail.
+
+At ten o'clock they rode into Dry Bottom. There were not many persons
+about, but those who were gave instant evidence of interest in the three
+by watching them closely as they rode down the street to the sheriff's
+office, dismounted, and disappeared inside.
+
+The sheriff's office was in a little frame shanty not over sixteen feet
+square, crude and unfinished. There were a front and back door, two
+windows--one in the side facing the court house, the other in the front.
+For furniture there were a bench, two chairs, some shelves, a cast iron
+stove, a wooden box partly filled with saw-dust which was used as a
+cuspidor, and a rough wooden table which served as a desk. In a chair
+beside the desk sat a tall, lean-faced man, with a nose that suggested
+an eagle's beak, with its high, thin, arched bridge, little, narrowed,
+shifting eyes, and a hard mouth whose lips were partly concealed under a
+drooping, tobacco-stained mustache. He turned as the three men entered,
+leaning back in his chair, his legs a-sprawl, motioning them to the
+chairs and the bench. They filed in silently. Greasy dropped carelessly
+into one of the chairs, Norton took another near him, but Hollis
+remained standing.
+
+"You are the sheriff, I suppose?" inquired the latter.
+
+The official spat copiously into the wooden box without removing his
+gaze from the three visitors.
+
+"Yep," he returned shortly, his voice coming with a truculent snap. "You
+wantin' the sheriff?"
+
+Hollis saw a swift, significant glance pass between him and Greasy and
+he smiled slightly.
+
+"Yes," he returned quietly; "we want you. We are delivering this man
+into your custody."
+
+"What's he done?" demanded the sheriff.
+
+"I charge him with stealing two of my steers," returned Hollis. "Several
+of my men discovered him at work the day before yesterday and----"
+
+"Hold on a minute now!" interrupted the sheriff. "Let's git this thing
+goin' accordin' to the law." He spat again into the wooden box, cocked
+his head sideways and surveyed Hollis with a glance in which there was
+much insolence and contempt. "Who might you be?" he questioned.
+
+"My name is Hollis," returned the latter quietly, his eyes meeting the
+other's steadily. "I own the Circle Bar."
+
+"H'm!" The sheriff crossed his legs and stuck his thumbs into the
+arm-holes of his vest, revealing a nickle-plated star on the lapel of
+the latter. "H'm. Your name's Hollis, an' you own the Circle Bar. Seems
+I've heard of you." He squinted his eyes at Hollis. "You're Jim Hollis's
+boy, ain't you?" His eyes flashed with a sudden, contemptuous light.
+"Tenderfoot, ain't you? Come out here to try an' show folks how to run
+things?"
+
+Hollis's face slowly paled. He saw Greasy grinning. "I suppose it makes
+little difference to you what I am or what I came out here for," he said
+quietly; "though, if I were to be required to give an opinion I should
+say that there is room for improvement in this county in the matter of
+applying its laws."
+
+The sheriff laughed harshly. "You'll know more about this country after
+you've been here a while," he sneered.
+
+"Mebbe he'll know more about how to run a law shebang, too," dryly
+observed Norton, "after he's watched Bill Watkins run her a little."
+
+"I don't reckon anyone ast you to stick your gab in this here affair?"
+demanded the sheriff of Norton.
+
+"No," returned Norton, drawling, "no one asked me. But while we're
+handin' out compliments we might as well all have a hand in it. It
+strikes me that when a man's runnin' a law shop he ought to run her."
+
+"I reckon I'll run her without any help from you, Norton!" snapped the
+sheriff.
+
+"Why, sure!" agreed the latter, his gaze level as his eyes met the
+sheriff's, his voice even and sarcastic. "But I'm tellin' you that this
+man's my friend an' if there's any more of them compliments goin' to be
+handed around I'm warnin' you that you want to hand them out soft an'
+gentle like. That's all. I reckon we c'n now proceed."
+
+The sheriff's face bloated poisonously. He flashed a malignant glance at
+Hollis. "Well," he snapped, "what's the charge?"
+
+"I have already told you," returned Hollis. "It is stealing cattle."
+
+"How stealin' them?" demanded the Sheriff truculenty.
+
+"Changing the brand," Hollis informed him. He related how Ace and Weary
+had come upon the prisoner while the latter was engaged in changing his
+brand to the Circle Cross.
+
+"They see him brandin'?" questioned the sheriff when Hollis had
+concluded.
+
+Hollis told him that the two men had come upon Greasy after the brand
+had been applied, but that the cattle bore the Circle Bar ear-mark, and
+that Greasy had built a fire and that branding irons had been found in
+his possession--which which he had tried to hide when discovered by the
+Circle Bar men.
+
+"Then your men didn't really see him doin' the brandin'?" questioned
+Watkins.
+
+Hollis was forced to admit that they had not. Watkins smiled
+sarcastically.
+
+"I reckon you're runnin' a little bit wild," he remarked. "Some of your
+stock has been rebranded an' you're chargin' a certain man with doin'
+it--only you didn't see him doin' it." He turned to Greasy. "What you
+got to say about this, Greasy?" he demanded.
+
+Greasy grinned blandly at Hollis. "This guy's talkin' through his hat,"
+he sneered. "I ain't allowin' that I branded any of his cattle."
+
+Watkins smiled. "There don't seem to be nothin' to this case a-tall--not
+a-tall. There ain't nobody goin' to be took into custody by me for
+stealin' cattle unless they're ketched with the goods--an' that ain't
+been proved so far." He turned to Hollis. "You got anything more to say
+about it?" he demanded.
+
+"Only this," returned Hollis slowly and evenly, "I have brought this man
+here. I charge him with stealing my cattle. To use your term--he was
+caught 'with the goods.' He is guilty. If you take him into custody and
+bring him to trial I shall have two witnesses there to prove what I have
+already told you. If you do not take him into custody, it is perfectly
+plain that you are deliberately shielding him--that you are making a
+joke of the law."
+
+Watkins's face reddened angrily. "Mebbe I'm makin' a joke of it----" he
+began.
+
+"Of course we can't force you to arrest this man," resumed Hollis,
+interrupting Watkins. "Unfortunately the government has not yet awakened
+to the fact that such men as you are a public menace and danger. I did
+not expect you to arrest him--I tell you that frankly. I merely brought
+him here to see whether it were true that you were leagued with Dunlavey
+against the other ranchers in the country. You are, of course.
+Therefore, as we cannot secure justice by appealing to you we will be
+forced to adopt other means."
+
+The sheriff's right hand dropped to his gun-holster. He sneered, his
+lips writhing. "Mebbe you mean----" he began.
+
+"I ain't lettin' this here situation get beyond my control," came
+Norton's voice, cold and even, as his six-shooter came out and was
+shoved menacingly forward. "Whatever he means, Watkins, he's my friend
+an' you ain't runnin' in no cold lead proposition on him." He smiled
+mirthlessly.
+
+Watkins's face paled; his right hand fell away from the pistol holster.
+There was a sound at the door; it swung suddenly open and Dunlavey's
+gigantic frame loomed massively in the opening.
+
+"I'm looking for Greasy!" he announced in a soft, silky voice, looking
+around at the four men with a comprehending, appreciative smile. "I was
+expecting to find him here," he added as his gaze sought out the
+prisoner, "after I heard that he'd been nabbed by the Circle Bar men."
+
+Norton smiled coldly. "He's here, Bill," he said evenly. "He's stayin'
+here till Mr. Hollis says it's time for him to go."
+
+He did not move the weapon in his hand, but a certain glint in his eyes
+told Dunlavey that the pistol was not in his hand for mere show. The
+latter smiled knowingly.
+
+"I'm not interfering with the law," he said mockingly. "And I certainly
+ain't bucking your game, Norton." He turned to Watkins, speaking with
+broad insinuation: "Of course you are putting a charge against Greasy,
+Watkins?" he said.
+
+They all caught the sheriff's flush; all saw the guilty embarrassment in
+his eyes as he answered that he had not. Dunlavey turned to Hollis with
+a bland smile.
+
+"Have you any objection to allowing Greasy to go now, Mr. Hollis?"
+
+Hollis's smile was no less bland as his gaze met Dunlavey's. "Not the
+slightest objection, Mr. Dunlavey," he returned. "I congratulate you
+upon the manner in which you have trained your servants!" He ignored
+Dunlavey and smiled at Norton. "Mr. Norton," he said with polite
+mockery, "I feel certain that you agree with me that we have no wish to
+contaminate this temple of justice with our presence."
+
+He bowed with mock politeness as he strode to the door and stepped down
+into the street. Norton followed him, grinning, though he did not sheath
+his weapon until he also was in the street.
+
+As they strode away from the door they turned to see Dunlavey looking
+out after them, his face wreathed in a broad smile.
+
+"There is plenty of law in Union County, Mr. Hollis," he said, "if you
+know how to handle it!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+THE "KICKER'S" CANDIDATE
+
+
+The next issue of the _Kicker_ contained many things of interest to
+its readers. Now that the drought had been broken, Union County could
+proceed with its business of raising cattle without fear of any future
+lack of water, with plenty of grass, and no losses except those from the
+usual causes. Dry Bottom merchants--depending upon the cattlemen for
+their trade--breathed easier and predicted a good year in spite of the
+drought. Their worries over, they had plenty of time--and
+inclination--to discuss the _Kicker_.
+
+More advertisements were appearing in the paper. Dry Bottom merchants
+were beginning to realize that it deserved their support, and with few
+exceptions they openly began to voice their opinions that the editor
+would "make good."' The advertisements began to take on a livelier tone
+and the Lazette _Eagle_ grew more sarcastic.
+
+When the _Kicker_ appeared following the incident in the sheriff's
+office, there was a detailed account of Dunlavey's now famous "ten day
+edict," together with some uncomplimentary comments upon the latter's
+action. This was signed by Hollis. He called attention to Dunlavey's
+selfishness, to the preparations that had been made by him to shoot down
+all the foreign cattle on the Rabbit-Ear. He made no reference to his
+part in the affair--to his decision to allow the small ranchers to water
+their cattle in the river at the imminent risk of losing his own. But
+though he did not mention this, the small owners and his friends took
+care that the matter received full publicity, with the result that
+Hollis was kept busy assuring his admirers that the incident had been
+much magnified--especially his part of it. Then his friends applauded
+his modesty.
+
+In the same issue of the paper was also related the story of Greasy's
+capture by the Circle Bar men. But in telling this story Hollis was not
+so modest, for he spoke frankly of his part in it--how he had refused to
+allow his men to hang the thief, telling his readers that though Greasy
+deserved hanging, he did not purpose to violate the law while advocating
+it. Following the story of the capture was a detailed report of the
+incident in the sheriff's office and a scathing commentary upon the
+subservience of the latter official to Dunlavey's will. The article was
+entitled: "Handling the Law," and Dunlavey's exact words when he stood
+in the door of the sheriff's office as Hollis and Norton departed were
+repeated.
+
+Below this, under the rubric, "Union County Needs a New Sheriff,"
+appeared an article that created a sensation. This dwelt upon the
+necessity of the county having a sheriff who would not permit his office
+to be prostituted by any man or influence. The _Kicker_ named a man
+who would not be bribed or cowed and declared that his name would appear
+on the ballot at the next election--to be held on the first Monday in
+November. At the end of the article he printed the man's name--Ben
+Allen!
+
+He had made this announcement without authority, and therefore he was
+not surprised, soon after the appearance of the issue containing the
+article, to see Allen's tall figure darken the door of the _Kicker_
+office while he sat at his desk.
+
+"Durn your hide!" cried the latter as he stood in the doorway; "you're
+the biggest disturber in seven states!"
+
+"Perhaps," smiled Hollis, motioning Allen to a chair. "Still, you don't
+need to thank me. You see, I have decided to clean up this county and I
+need some help. I supposed you were interested. Of course you may refuse
+if you like."
+
+"Refuse!" Allen's eyes flashed as he took Hollis's hand and wrung it
+heartily. "My boy," he declared earnestly, "you couldn't have done
+anything to suit me better. I'm just yearning to take a big hand in this
+game!"
+
+"Interesting, isn't it?" smiled Hollis.
+
+"Some," returned Allen. He grasped Hollis's hand and wrung it heartily.
+"You're a winner and I'm mighty glad to be able to work with you." He
+spoke seriously. "Do you think there's a chance for us to beat
+Dunlavey?"
+
+Hollis laughed. "I flatter myself that a certain editor in this town
+stands rather well with the people of this county since a certain thing
+happened."
+
+"You sure do!" grinned Allen. "Lordy! how this county has needed a man
+like you!"
+
+Hollis smiled. "Then you won't object to being the _Kicker's_
+candidate?" he inquired.
+
+"Object!" returned Allen with mock seriousness. "Say, young man, if you
+don't keep my name at the head of your editorial column from now till
+the first Monday in November I'll come down here and manhandle you!"
+
+And so it was arranged. Dry Bottom gasped in public but rejoiced in
+secret. Many of the town's merchants personally congratulated Hollis.
+
+But for two days following the appearance of the issue of the
+_Kicker_ containing these sensations, Hollis stayed away from Dry
+Bottom. Now that he had launched Allen's campaign and placed the other
+matters before his readers, he began to devote some attention to the
+problem of arranging for Ed Hazelton's visit to the great Chicago
+surgeon. Both Nellie and Ed had been disappointed because of his
+continued absence, and when, on an afternoon a few days after his
+activity in Dry Bottom, he rode up to the Hazelton cabin his welcome was
+a cordial one.
+
+"It seems like a year since I've seen you!" declared Hazelton as he came
+down from the porch to lead Hollis's pony into the shade at the rear of
+the cabin.
+
+While he was gone with the pony Hollis stood looking up at Nellie, who
+had remained seated in her chair on the porch and who was now regarding
+him with eyes in which shone unconcealed pleasure.
+
+"It hasn't really been so long, you know," said Hollis, smiling at her.
+"But then, I have been so busy that I may not have noticed it."
+
+Of course she could not tell him how many times she had sat on the porch
+during Ed's absences watching the Coyote trail. But she blushed and made
+room for him on the porch. Ed appeared presently and joined them there.
+The young man was not able to conceal his joy over the prospect of his
+ultimate recovery from the peculiar malady that afflicted him, and
+gratitude mingled with it as he looked at his benefactor. He had not
+recovered from an attack the day before.
+
+"We've got it all arranged," he told Hollis with a wan smile. "I'm going
+to Chicago just as soon as I can get things fixed." He reddened with
+embarrassment as he continued: "There's some things that I'd like to
+talk to you about before I make up my mind when to start," he said;
+"I've been worrying about what to do with my stock while I'm gone. I
+wouldn't want it to stray or be run off by Dunlavey's gang." The appeal
+in his eyes did not escape Hollis's keen observation.
+
+"I have thought of that too," smiled the latter. "In fact, I have talked
+it over with Norton. He tells me that he won't have any trouble in
+caring for your stock while you are away."
+
+"Thanks." Hazelton did not trust himself to say more at that moment. He
+knew how great would be the task of caring for his stock during his
+absence, and had not Hollis come to his aid with this offer he would
+have had to give up the proposed trip. He sat silent until his composure
+returned, and then he looked up at Hollis gratefully.
+
+"That will make things much easier for Nellie," he said. And then,
+remembering that Hollis knew nothing of his intention to ask him for
+permission to allow Nellie to remain at the Circle Bar during his
+absence, he fell silent again.
+
+"Easier?" inquired Hollis, puzzled. He had supposed that Nellie would
+accompany her brother to Chicago. He did not look at either of the two
+for a time. He had been anticipating a period of lonesomeness and this
+unexpected news came like a bright shaft of light into the darkness.
+
+"But you can't allow her to stay at the cabin alone!" he said when Ed
+did not answer. And then the thought struck him that this peculiar
+silence on Ed's part could mean only one thing--that he and Nellie had
+decided that she was not to accompany him, and that the problem that was
+now confronting them--since he had told them that his men would care for
+the cattle--was the girl's welfare. He appreciated the situation and
+smiled wisely into the yawning distance. But a deep sympathy made the
+smile grim.
+
+"I have sometimes wondered how it were possible for a woman to live in
+this country without having close at hand one of her sex with whom to
+gossip," he remarked, looking at Ed and deliberately closing an eye at
+him. "It doesn't bother a man so much--this being alone. If he is a
+drinking man there are the saloons; if a poet he may write wise saws
+concerning the inconstancy of women; he may punch cows, another man's
+head--or run a newspaper. In any case his mind is occupied.
+
+"But a woman! Of course it is different with a woman. A woman must
+talk--she simply can't help it. There's Mrs. Norton. Only this morning I
+chanced to hear her remark to her lord and master that if he did not
+soon provide her with a companion with whom she might discuss the things
+which are dear to the feminine heart, he might as well make up his mind
+to requisition the mourners. All of which suggests the thought that
+perhaps it would not be a bad idea for Miss Hazelton to bundle up her
+things and advance on the Circle Bar. Thus two ends will be served--Mrs.
+Norton will secure her companion and Norton will find peace." He turned
+to Nellie. "Of course if you are afraid that the cabin will stray during
+your absence I could manage to ride the Coyote trail each morning and
+evening--or you could ride over yourself occasionally."
+
+He could tell by the light in her eyes that she was pleased over the
+suggestion. He was sure of it when she smiled at him.
+
+"If you really think that Mrs. Norton would like some one to talk
+to----" she began, and then hesitated, her eyes suddenly widening as she
+saw an odd light in his. "Oh!" she said, "it isn't true about Mrs.
+Norton wanting to talk. You have guessed that I--that Ed--wanted me to
+go----" But confusion descended upon her and she flushed crimson with
+embarrassment.
+
+"If you think it isn't true, why don't you ride over to the Circle Bar
+and inquire?" he smiled.
+
+"Perhaps I may," she replied, looking at him in mock defiance.
+
+As a precaution against the carrying out of this threat, Hollis that
+night acquainted Mrs. Norton with the facts in the case, even going so
+far as to inform the lady brazenly that he had deliberately lied about
+her. But when she had been fully informed, she told Hollis that she did
+not blame him very much, and that should Nellie carry out her threat to
+come to her upon an errand having as its object a question of his
+veracity, she would assure the young lady that he had spoken the plain
+truth. Would that be sufficient?
+
+Hollis told her that it would, and the following morning on his way to
+Dry Bottom, he took the Coyote trail and stopped off at the Hazelton
+cabin, where he informed Ed that he had decided to send Weary with him
+on his trip to Chicago.
+
+Nellie spoke a few words to him while he lingered beside the porch, but
+her threat of the night before was not repeated and Hollis rightly
+guessed that it would never be carried out.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+DUNLAVEY PLAYS A CARD
+
+
+During the week following Ed Hazelton's departure for Chicago Hollis did
+not see much of Nellie. In the few days preceding his departure she had
+not allowed her brother to see how his refusal to allow her to accompany
+him had hurt her, but once he had boarded the east-bound express at Dry
+Bottom, she had yielded to the emotions that she had so far succeeded in
+concealing. Hollis had ridden in to town with them, and not until Nellie
+and he had seen Ed and Weary safely on the train--indeed, not until the
+train was well under way and the two figures on the back platform could
+no longer be discerned--did Nellie break down. Then Hollis turned to her
+with a smile to see the sudden tears well up into her eyes. He had not
+attempted to console her, feeling the awkwardness of the situation.
+
+He was much relieved when she refused his offer to make the return trip
+with her, for he was certain that a few hours alone in which to meditate
+over her loss would enable her to regain her composure. But before
+leaving her he secured her promise not to stop at the cabin, but to go
+on to the Circle Bar. On her arrival at the ranch she was to tell Norton
+to send one of the men to the cabin after the few personal effects that
+she had decided to transfer. But once out of Hollis's sight Nellie
+forgot her promise through fear over the safety of her things. She took
+the Coyote trail, riding slowly through the clear sunshine of the
+morning.
+
+After taking leave of Nellie Hollis rode slowly down the street to the
+_Kicker_ office. He looked in through the window and seeing that
+Potter had not yet arrived, continued down to the court house. He talked
+for a few minutes with Judge Graney. Nothing new had developed. Ben
+Allen had gone to visit several small ranchers the day before and had
+not returned.
+
+Hollis returned to the _Kicker_ office. At noon Potter had arrived,
+bearing the news that he had seen Nellie Hazelton on the Coyote trail,
+within a few miles of the Circle Bar. She had stopped at her cabin and
+there were several bundles strapped to the cantle of her saddle.
+
+That night Hollis did not see her at all. He did not inquire for her,
+but surmised that she was in her room. The next morning soon after he
+had awakened and while he still debated the question of arising, he
+heard her singing in the kitchen. He smiled, thinking how quickly she
+had adapted herself to her new surroundings.
+
+At breakfast he looked closely at her several times, searching for
+evidence of her grief of yesterday. There was none. Therefore he was not
+surprised when, after breakfast, she told him that she intended riding
+with him as far as the cabin for the purpose of bringing the remainder
+of her effects. He gravely reminded her that she had broken her promise
+of yesterday, and that as a punishment he contemplated refusing her
+request. But when, an hour later, he urged his pony down the river trail
+she was riding beside him.
+
+But she did not ride again that week. She did not tell Hollis the
+reason; that returning that evening she had reached the Razor-Back and
+was riding along its crest when she happened to glance across the
+Rabbit-Ear toward the Circle Cross. On the opposite side of the river
+she had seen two men, sitting quietly in their saddles, watching her.
+They were Dunlavey and Yuma. She did not know what their presence there
+meant, but the sight was disquieting and she feared to return to the
+cabin for the few things that were still here.
+
+But as the days went her fears were dispersed. Time and the lure of her
+old home had revived her courage, and on a day about a week following
+her previous trip, she herself saddled and bridled her pony and set out
+over the Coyote trail toward her cabin.
+
+She had not told Hollis of her intention to ride there, fearing that the
+knowledge of what she had seen on the day of the other ride would be
+revealed in her eyes. It was a good hour after noon when she stole out
+of the house to her pony, mounted, and rode away toward the river.
+
+For many days she had been wondering at Dunlavey's continued inaction.
+He had been known as an energetic enemy, and though at their last
+meeting in Dry Bottom he had threatened her and her brother, he had so
+far made no hostile move. Uusually he would go a considerable distance
+out of his way to speak to her. Perhaps, she thought, at their last
+meeting she had shown him that he was wasting his time. Yet she could
+not forget that day when she had seen Yuma and Dunlavey on the Circle
+Cross side of the Rabbit-Ear. The sight somehow had been significant and
+forbidding.
+
+But when she reached her cabin she had forgotten Dunlavey and Yuma; her
+thoughts dwelt upon more pleasant people. Had she done right in allowing
+Hollis to see that she was interested in him? Would he think less of her
+for revealing this interest? She could not answer these questions, but
+she could answer another--one that brought the blushes to her cheeks.
+Why had Hollis shown an interest in her? She had known this answer for a
+long time--when she had read Ace's poem to him while sitting on the
+porch beside him, to be perfectly accurate. She had pretended then to
+take offense when he had assured her that Ace had succeeded in getting
+much truth into his lines, especially into the first couplet, which ran:
+
+    "Woman--she don't need no tutor,
+    Be she school ma'am or biscuit shooter."
+
+The language had not been graceful, nor the diction, yet she knew that
+Ace had struck the mark fairly, for woman indeed needed no tutor to
+teach her to understand man--woman had always understood him.
+
+She dismounted from her pony at the edge of the porch, hitching the
+animal to one of the slender porch columns. Then she went into the house
+to gather up the few things that still remained there.
+
+But for a long time after entering the cabin she sat on a chair in the
+kitchen, sobbing softly, for now that Ed had gone she felt the
+desolation of the country more than ever. Presently she rose and with a
+start looked out of the door. The dusk had fallen; darkness was stealing
+into the valley around the cabin!
+
+Flitting here and there, she hurriedly began packing things which she
+took from shelves and racks. It was an engrossing task and she was much
+interested in it, so much so that she did not hear a slight sound at the
+door that led out to the front porch. But when she saw a shadow darken
+the doorway of the room in which she was working she stood suddenly
+erect and with rapidly beating heart stole softly forward and peered
+around the door-jamb. Of course it could be no one but Hollis. He had
+taken the Coyote trail to-night. He would be surprised to see her.
+
+But it was she who was surprised. Yuma stood near the table in the
+center of the kitchen, looking straight at her, his insolent, evil face
+drawn into a foreboding smile.
+
+After the first gasp of horror and surprise a righteous anger stiffened
+her.
+
+"What are you doing here?" she demanded.
+
+Yuma's evil smile grew. She had seen him often, usually at a distance,
+for she had abhorred him, with his olive skin, his thin, cruel lips and
+small glittering eyes. He had always seemed like an animal to her,
+though she could not have told why. She thought it must be something in
+his attitude, in the stoop which was almost a crouch, in the stealthy,
+cat-like manner in which he walked. She had spoken to Ed about him more
+than once, conveying to him her abhorrence of the man, and he had told
+her that he felt the same about him. She shuddered now, thinking of what
+her brother had told her of the man's cruelty. Dunlavey had often
+boasted that Yuma was the most venomous and bloodthirsty of his crew of
+cut-throats.
+
+"What are you doing here?" she repeated, her anger growing.
+
+Yuma laughed softly. "I saw you ridin' the Razor Back the other day," he
+said, showing his teeth as the words came--even, smooth, burdened with a
+subtle mockery. "I saw you again thees afternoon--but you not see me
+like the other day--I watch you thees long." He held up three fingers to
+denote that he had watched her three hours. She shuddered, suddenly
+realizing the significance of his attitude that day she had seen him
+from the Razor Back.
+
+"Ed gone," he continued, watching her narrowly; "nobody here; I come. I
+like you--much." He grinned, his eyes brightening. "I reckon you
+know--you girl that understan'?"
+
+She drew a slow deep breath. Curiously enough, next to the horror and
+doubt that she felt over Yuma's presence at the cabin was a wonder for
+the idioms of cowboy speech that were interjected with his own. He had
+caught them from association, she supposed. She made a pretense of
+boldness, though she felt more like screaming.
+
+"Leave this cabin!" she commanded sharply.
+
+Yuma did not change his position. "Leave heem?" he laughed. "I theenk
+not. Dunlavey says me come here--make um love me--same as tenderfoot
+noospaper man!" He laughed again, exultantly. "Dunlavey say you spark
+tenderfoot--you spark me!"
+
+She trembled, realizing that a crisis was at hand and that she must meet
+it boldly. She thought of the ivory-handled weapon in the holster at her
+hip and involuntarily her right hand dropped to its butt. She had
+learned to shoot, but she had never yet shot at a man and she drew her
+hand away from the butt of the weapon with a shudder. Yuma had been
+watching her closely, his evil little eyes glittering, and when he saw
+her hand drop away he laughed derisively.
+
+"You no shoot heem!" he said. "You 'fraid. Dunlavey say he reckon you no
+shoot--say you make love to um right away!"
+
+He smiled significantly and took a step toward her. She made an
+involuntary step backward and her right hand again sought the butt of
+the revolver, the left closing on the edge of the door that opened into
+her room. Terror had given her courage and as Yuma continued to advance
+with a soft, cautious, cat-like sliding movement, she drew the revolver
+and presented it, though her hand wavered a little.
+
+"If you take another step toward me, Yuma, I will kill you!" she
+declared.
+
+She saw his little eyes glitter with decision, saw him measure the
+distance between them, saw him crouch for a spring.
+
+She fired, aiming at the lower edge of the scarf that sagged at his
+throat. The smoke from the pistol blinded her; she heard his laugh,
+heard the rush of his feet as he hurled himself forward. Terror stricken
+over her failure to hit him, she dropped the pistol and whirled,
+grasping the edge of the door and slamming it shut in his face. She felt
+his weight against it, but he had been taken by surprise by the
+movement; there was the strength of desperation in her body and she held
+the door closed against him while she shoved the fastenings into place.
+
+Then, suddenly overcome, she leaned weakly against the jamb, her heart
+thumping hard, her nerves tingling.
+
+For a long time she did not move, and there came no sound from the other
+side of the door to tell her of Yuma's movements. There was a wild hope
+in her heart that he had gone, but presently, becoming a little calmer,
+she pressed her ear against the door. There was no doubt of Yuma's
+presence; she could hear him stepping softly about the room. Had there
+been a window in the room in which she had imprisoned herself she might
+have escaped, but unfortunately there was not.
+
+She fell to thinking of the revolver she had dropped when Yuma had
+sprung upon her. It must have dropped very close to the door. Had Yuma
+picked it up? There was a chance that he had not. If the weapon were
+still there and she could open the door and secure it and close the door
+again, she would be in a position to defend herself. She could not
+defend herself without it. If Yuma should burst the door open she would
+be at his mercy. She must get the revolver.
+
+Convinced of this she stood for some little time at the door, her ear
+pressed against it, listening for any sound that might tell her of the
+whereabouts of Yuma in the cabin. She heard nothing. Perhaps he had
+gone? But she listened a while longer, determined to be certain before
+loosening the fastenings of the door. Silence--a premonitory
+silence--filled the room beyond the door. She could hear nothing except
+her own rapid breathing. Presently she heard a horse whinny. Was Yuma at
+the horses? It seemed incredible that any man should visit the cabin
+purposely to attack her. Perhaps Yuma had only intended to frighten her;
+he had said that Dunlavey had told him to follow her, but she believed
+that Dunlavey, in spite of his reputation for lawlessness and trickery,
+was not so unmanly as to incite the half-breed to attack her. He may
+have told him to steal the horses--she could believe that of him!
+
+But for a long time, in spite of the quieting influence of these
+thoughts, she kept her ear pressed against the door. Then, moved by a
+sudden impulse--an accession of courage inspired by the continued
+silence--she cautiously loosened the fastenings and swung the door
+slowly open.
+
+Her revolver lay close and with a swift movement she reached for it. As
+her fingers grasped its butt she heard a slight sound and Yuma was upon
+her from behind, pinning her arms to her sides. She felt his breath on
+her neck, heard his laugh, exultant and derisive, mocking her. His right
+hand, gripping hers tightly, was slipping slowly down toward the hand
+that held the revolver. She struggled desperately, squirming and
+twisting in his grasp, silently matching her strength against his.
+Finding this hopeless and feeling his hand gradually slipping toward the
+revolver, she suddenly raised her hand toward her face, bringing Yuma's
+hand, still on her arm, with it. Then she dropped her head to his arm
+near the wrist, and sank her teeth savagely into the flesh.
+
+Yuma howled in anguish, loosening his hold momentarily. In an instant
+she had wrenched herself free and had bounded to the center of the room,
+placing the kitchen table between herself and her assailant.
+
+But he was after her with a bound, his little eyes gleaming with a
+venomous expression, his face contorted with passion. She raised the
+revolver and fired. For a breathless instant she thought that she had
+hit him, for he sank almost to the floor. But she saw that it was only a
+trick for he was up again on the instant, a mocking smile on his face
+and closer than ever. She fired again, and when she saw him sink to the
+floor she pulled the trigger a second time. He had been very close to
+the table when she fired the last time and before she could press the
+trigger again he had lurched forward under it, raising it on his
+shoulders and sending it crashing down behind him as he confronted her,
+his evil face close to hers, his hands again gripping her arms.
+
+She fought him silently, and together they reeled around the cabin. She
+bit him again, and then in an outburst of savage fury he brutally
+twisted the arm in which she still held the revolver, sending the weapon
+crashing to the floor. While twisting her arm he had been compelled to
+loosen his grasp of the other slightly, and she again wrenched herself
+free and darted toward the door leading to the porch. But he bounded
+forward, intercepting her, and with a last, despairing effort she raised
+both hands to his face and clawed furiously at his eyes.
+
+She heard a savage curse from him, saw the lust of murder in his little,
+glittering eyes, felt his sinewy fingers at her throat. Then objects
+within the cabin swam in a dizzy, blurring circle before her. She heard
+a crash--seeming to come from a great distance; heard Yuma curse again.
+And then, borne resistlessly forward by the weight of his body, she
+tumbled to the floor in an inert heap.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+PROOF OF GRATITUDE
+
+
+Shortly after noon on the same day Hollis, finding work irksome, closed
+his desk with a bang, told Potter that he was going home, mounted his
+pony, and loped the animal out the Dry Bottom trail. He remembered
+hearing Norton tell one of the men that morning that he suspected that
+several of Ed Hazelton's cattle were still in the vicinity of the basin
+near the Hazelton cabin, and he determined to ride around that way and
+try to turn them back toward the Circle Bar. It would be recreation for
+him after a hot morning in the office.
+
+He also remembered another thing that had occurred that morning at the
+ranch house. Mrs. Norton had assured him--with a sly, eloquent glance at
+him--that he might do worse than to make arrangements to keep Nellie
+Hazelton at the Circle Bar indefinitely. At the risk of being considered
+obtuse Hollis had ignored the hint, broad though it had been. But Mrs.
+Norton's words had shown him that Nellie stood high in her estimation
+and he felt a queer, unaccountable elation.
+
+After striking the Dry Bottom trail he took a circuitous route and some
+time later came out upon a high ridge overlooking a basin. There were
+some cattle down there and he made a mental note of the locality so that
+he would be able to tell Norton where to have the men look for the
+cattle. Then he rode along the ridge until he could no longer see the
+basin. He spent most of the afternoon exploring the surrounding country,
+and then when the dusk began to fall he retraced his steps to the ridge
+upon which he had ridden earlier in the afternoon. Something familiar in
+the shape of the hills near him struck him and he halted his pony and
+smiled. These were the hills that he had seen many times from the
+Hazelton porch. He faced around, certain that if the hills could be seen
+from the porch he would be able to discern the porch from some point on
+the ridge, for he was satisfied that he must be nearly in line with it.
+He rode back and forth a few moments, and then, coming out on a bald
+spot on the ridge, he saw the cabin.
+
+It was about a mile away, snuggled comfortably down in a little basin,
+with some trees and shrubbery flanking it on both sides. He smiled as he
+looked at it, and then suddenly his face clouded, for he saw two ponies
+hitched to the porch. His forehead wrinkled perplexedly over this. He
+was certain that Nellie rode the same animal each time, because she
+would not trust any of the others that were now with the remuda. One of
+the horses belonged to her of course, for he could see the gay ribbon
+with which she was accustomed to decorate her animal's bridle. But to
+whom did the other horse belong? He gazed steadily toward the cabin,
+searching for signs of life on the porch. But though he could see
+clearly--even into the shadows from a rambling rose bush that clung to
+the eaves of the roof--no human figure appeared on the porch.
+
+Certainly Nellie must have a visitor. But who? He was not aware that the
+Hazeltons had made friends with anyone in the neighborhood besides
+himself and the Nortons. He smiled. Probably some cowboy from the Circle
+Bar had been in the vicinity looking for Hazelton's cattle, had met
+Nellie, and had stopped at the cabin. He remembered to have heard Norton
+say that he was sending a man in that direction some time that day.
+
+That must be the explanation. But while he sat, debating the propriety
+of riding down to the cabin to satisfy his curiosity, the sound of a
+pistol shot floated to his ears on the slight breeze that was blowing
+toward him.
+
+He sat erect, his face paling. Then he smiled again. He had been in the
+West long enough to become acquainted with the cowboy nature and he
+surmised that Nellie's visitor was very likely exhibiting his skill with
+the revolver. But he turned his pony and urged it down the sloping side
+of the ridge, riding slowly in the direction of the cabin.
+
+After striking the bottom of the slope he rode cut upon a broad level
+that stretched away for half a mile. He made better time here and had
+almost covered half the width of the plain when two more reports reached
+his ears. He was close enough now to hear them distinctly and it seemed
+to him that they sounded muffled. He halted the pony and sat stiffly in
+the saddle, his gaze on the cabin. Then he saw a thin stream of
+blue-white smoke issue from the doorway and curl lazily upward.
+
+A grave doubt assailed him. No cowboy would be likely to exhibit his
+skill with a weapon in the cabin! Nellie's visitor must be an unwelcome
+one!
+
+The pony felt the sudden spurs and raced like a whirlwind over the
+remaining stretch of plain. Hollis had become suddenly imbued with a
+suspicion that brought an ashen pallor to his face and an awful rage
+into his heart. He slid his pony down one side of a steep arroyo, sent
+it scrambling up the other side, jumped it over some rocks that littered
+the rise, spurred savagely through a little basin, and reaching the edge
+of the porch, dismounted and bounded to the door.
+
+He saw two figures--Nellie Hazelton and a man. He saw the man's fingers
+gripping the girl's throat and the lust of murder surged over and
+blinded him. In the dusk that had fallen he could only dimly see the
+man's head and he swung his right fist at it, putting every ounce of his
+strength into the blow. He felt the fist strike, realized that it had
+glanced, and tried to recover for a second blow.
+
+But the terrific swing had carried him off his balance. He whirled clear
+around, slipped, and came down to the floor flat on his face. He was up
+in an instant, however, his brain afire with rage, his muscles tingling
+with eagerness. He did not think of the gun at his hip, for the lust of
+murder was in his soul and he wanted only to hit the man--to seize him
+and tear him apart--to crush and smash the vile hands that he had seen
+at the girl's throat.
+
+Five feet from him, facing him, on his hands and knees and scrambling to
+rise, was the man. He recognized Yuma, and even as he bounded forward
+the latter gained his feet and tugged at his gun-holster. The weapon had
+not yet cleared the holster when Hollis was upon him. He struck again
+with his right fist and missed, crashing against Yuma in his eagerness
+and carrying him down to the floor with a force that shook the cabin. As
+they fell Hollis felt a sharp, agonizing pain in his left wrist, from
+which the splints had been only recently removed, and the hand hung limp
+at his side, entirely useless.
+
+For an instant after the fall Yuma lay still, breathing heavily. Then he
+made a sudden movement with his right arm and Hollis caught a glint of
+metal. He threw himself at the arm, catching it with his right hand just
+above the wrist and jamming it tight to the floor. Yuma tried to squirm
+free, failed, and with a curse drove his left fist into the side of
+Hollis's face. Again he tried to squirm free and during the struggle
+that followed the hand holding the pistol was raised from the floor.
+Hollis saw it and wrenched desperately at the arm, twisting it and
+dragging it furiously downward to the floor. Yuma shrieked with rage and
+pain as the force of the impact cracked his knuckles and sent the weapon
+clattering ten feet away.
+
+For an instant both men lay silent, panting from their exertions. Then
+Yuma succeeded in getting one leg over Hollis's body and one arm around
+his neck. With a quick motion--successful because of Hollis's injured
+wrist--he turned the latter over on his back. His eyes alight with an
+exultant, malevolent fire, he gripped Hollis's throat with one hand and
+drove at his face with the other. A quick movement of the head served to
+defeat Yuma's aim and his fist thumped heavily against the floor,
+bringing a grimace of pain to his face. Disregarding his injured wrist,
+Hollis wrenched savagely and succeeded in rolling free of Yuma and
+reaching his feet. He had moved quickly, but the lithe, cat-like
+half-breed was before him, bounding toward the pistol on the floor. He
+was bending over it, his fingers gripping its butt, when Hollis,
+throwing himself forward bodily, crashed into him and hurled him heavily
+to the floor.
+
+This time Yuma lay face downward, his arms outstretched, and Hollis lay
+sprawled out on top of him. But Yuma had succeeded in holding to the
+pistol; it was grasped in his outstretched right hand, just out of
+Hollis's reach.
+
+For an instant again both men lay silent, breathing rapidly. Then,
+yielding to the rage that still possessed him, Hollis bounded to his
+feet, striking Yuma a crashing blow in the face as he did so. While Yuma
+reeled he brought his booted foot down on the hand holding the pistol,
+grinding it under his heel.
+
+Yuma screamed with pain and rage and got to his feet, holding his
+injured hand with the other. The pistol lay on the floor where Yuma had
+dropped it when Hollis's boot had come in contact with his hand. For an
+instant Yuma stood gripping his hand, his face hideous with passion.
+Then with a snarl of rage and hate he drew a knife from the folds of his
+shirt and sprang toward Hollis.
+
+Hollis tensed himself for the clash, rapidly measuring the distance, and
+when Yuma came close enough caught him squarely on the side of the jaw
+with a vicious right swing. But in some manner when Hollis stepped aside
+to avoid Yuma's knife, his feet had become entangled with the legs of
+the table that Yuma had previously overturned. As he struck he slipped,
+the blow at Yuma's jaw not having the force he intended it to have. He
+caught himself, slipped again and went down, turning completely over the
+table top and falling face downward to the floor. He saw Yuma throw
+himself forward and he tried to wriggle out of danger, but he failed. He
+felt the half-breed's weight on his body, saw the knife flash in the
+dull light. He tried to roll over and grasp the knife in its descent,
+but could not, his left arm, now useless, being pinned to the floor by
+Yuma's knee.
+
+A revolver roared spitefully--once--twice. Yuma's knife hissed past
+Hollis's ear and struck the floor, its point sunk deep, its handle
+swaying idly back and forth. Yuma himself--inert, limp, rolled from
+Hollis's back and lay flat on his own, his eyes wide open and staring,
+two huge bullet holes in his forehead. And in the open doorway of the
+cabin stood Ten Spot.
+
+For an instant Hollis could not realize his escape. He looked at Yuma
+and then again at Ten Spot. Slowly and painfully he got to his feet,
+looking around at the wreck of the room. Staggering a little, he walked
+to where Ten Spot stood, gripping the latter's hand silently, at a loss
+for words with which to thank him.
+
+But apparently Ten Spot did not notice the omission, for he grinned
+broadly.
+
+"I reckon there's folks which would call that a right clever bit of
+shootin'," he said, "seem' a? there wasn't time to pull off no fancy
+stuff!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+TEN SPOT USES HIS EYES
+
+
+The crash of Ten Spot's pistols aroused Nellie Hazelton, and she sat up
+and stared stupidly about--at Hollis, who was just rising from the
+floor; at Ten Spot, who still stood in the doorway; and then at Yuma's
+body, stretched out on the floor beside the overturned table. She
+shuddered and covered her face with her hands. The next instant Hollis
+was bending over her, helping her to her feet, leading her to the door
+and assuring her in a low, earnest voice that everything was all right,
+and that Yuma would never trouble her again, and that he wanted her to
+get on her pony and go to the Circle Bar. She allowed herself to be led
+out on the porch, but once there she looked at him with renewed spirit.
+
+"It was you who came first," she said; "I didn't see you, but I heard
+Yuma curse, felt something strike him, and then--I must have fainted.
+You see, I felt it must be you--I had been expecting you."
+
+As she spoke she seized his hands and pressed them tightly, her eyes
+eloquent with thankfulness. "Oh, I am so glad!" she whispered. Then she
+saw Ten Spot standing in the doorway and she ran over and seized his
+hands also, shaking them hysterically. And Ten Spot stood, red of face,
+grinning bashfully at her--like a big, awkward, embarrassed schoolboy.
+
+"That's the first time I've ever been thanked for shootin' anybody!" he
+confided to Hollis, later. "An' it cert'nly did feel some strange!"
+
+In spite of Hollis's remonstrances the girl insisted on returning to the
+interior of the cabin, to "bundle up her things." Feeling the futility
+of further objection, Hollis finally allowed her to enter. But while she
+was busy in one of the rooms he and Ten Spot carried Yuma's body
+outside, around to the rear of the cabin.
+
+Then, when the girl had finally secured her "things" and they had been
+securely tied to her pony, and she had started down the trail toward the
+Circle Bar ranch, Hollis and Ten Spot returned to the rear of the cabin,
+took up Yuma's body, carried it to a secluded spot at some little
+distance from the cabin and there buried it deep and quickly.
+
+"I want to thank you again," said Hollis as he and Ten Spot stood on the
+porch when Hollis was ready to depart; "it was a great stroke of luck
+that brought you here just when you were needed."
+
+Ten Spot grinned. "I don't think it was just luck that brought me," he
+said; "though mebbe it was luck that took me into the Fashion this
+morning. Whatever it was, I was in there, an' I heard Dunlavey an' Yuma
+cookin' this here deal. I wasn't feelin' entirely ongrateful for the way
+you'd treated me after you'd got my gun that day in the _Kicker_
+office an' I wasn't intendin' to let happen what Dunlavey wanted to
+happen. So I got out of the Fashion as soon as I could an' trailed Yuma.
+I've been after him all day, but somehow or other I lost him an' didn't
+find out where he'd gone till a little while ago--when I heard a gun go
+off. Then I hit the breeze here--after Yuma. That's all. That's how I
+come to get here so lucky." He stuck out a hand to Hollis. "Well,
+so-long," he said; "I'm hittin' the breeze out of the country." He
+stepped forward to his pony, but hesitated when he heard Hollis speak.
+
+"Then you're not going back to the Circle Cross--to work for Dunlavey?"
+questioned the latter.
+
+"Well, no," grinned Ten Spot. "You see, it might not be so pleasant now
+as it's been. I reckon when Dunlavey hears this he won't be exactly
+tickled."
+
+Hollis contemplated him gravely. "So you're going to leave the country?"
+he said slowly, his eyes twinkling. "I take it you are not afraid----"
+
+"Don't!" said Ten Spot coldly and sharply. Then he grinned with feline
+cordiality. "I reckon I ain't scared of anyone," he said, "but I ain't
+likin' to go back to the Circle Cross after puttin' Yuma out of
+business. I've done some mean things in my time, but I ain't dealin'
+double with no man, an' I couldn't go back to the Circle Cross an' work
+for Dunlavey when I ain't sympathizin' with him none."
+
+"I'm shy of good cowhands," offered Hollis quietly. "If forty a month
+would be----"
+
+Ten Spot's right hand was suddenly gripping Hollis's. "You've hired a
+man, boss!" he said, his eyes alight with pleasure. "Ever since you
+clawed me that day in the _Kicker_ office I've had a hankerin' to
+work for you. I was wonder in' if you'd ast me. There ain't no damn----"
+
+"Then it's a bargain," laughed Hollis, interrupting. "You can start
+right now." He pointed to the ridge upon which he had been riding when
+he heard the shot that had brought him to the cabin. "Some of Ed
+Hazelton's cattle are in the basin on the other side of that ridge," he
+said. "You go over there and keep an eye on them until I can get a
+chance to send some one here to help you drive them back up the river
+toward the Circle Bar." As he came to the edge of the porch to mount his
+pony his gaze fell on Yuma's horse, still hitched to one of the columns.
+"What are we going to do with Yuma's horse?" he questioned.
+
+Ten Spot grinned. He walked over to the pony, unhitched it, and with a
+vicious slap on the flank sent it loping down the trail toward the
+river.
+
+"That'll be my message to Dunlavey that Yuma ain't here any more," he
+said grimly.
+
+Hollis mounted and rode a short distance, but halted and turned in the
+saddle when he heard Ten Spot call to him.
+
+"Boss," he said with a grin, "I ain't exactly blind, an' mebbe you've
+got your eyes with you, too. But I saw that there Hazelton girl lookin'
+at you sorta----"
+
+He saw a smile on Hollis's face, but the rest of his speech was drowned
+in a clatter of hoofs as the "boss's" pony tore down the Coyote trail.
+Then Ten Spot smiled, mounted his pony, and rode away toward the ridge.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+CAMPAIGN GUNS
+
+
+Of course Yuma had been amply punished for his part in the attack on
+Nellie Hazelton, but there still remained Dunlavey--who had instigated
+it. Hollis was aware of the uselessness of bringing a charge against
+Dunlavey--he had not forgotten his experience with Bill Watkins when he
+had attempted to have Greasy brought to justice. He believed that he
+would not have brought such a charge had there been any probability of
+the sheriff taking action. He felt that in inciting Yuma to attack
+Nellie, Dunlavey had also contemplated a blow at him. The man's devilish
+ingenuity appalled him, but it also aroused a fierce anger in his heart
+that, in the absence of a powerful will, would have moved him to
+immediate vengeance.
+
+But he contemplated no immediate action. Besides the attack on Nellie
+Hazelton there was another score to settle with Dunlavey, and when the
+time came for a final accounting he told himself that he would settle
+both. He knew there would come such a time. From the beginning he had
+felt that he and the Circle Cross manager were marked by fate for a
+clash. He was eager for it, but content to wait until the appointed
+time. And he knew that the time was not far distant.
+
+Therefore he remained silent regarding the incident, and except to
+Norton and his wife, Nellie Hazelton, Ten Spot, and himself, the
+disappearance of Yuma remained a mystery.
+
+Dunlavey, perhaps, might have had his suspicions, but if so he
+communicated them to no one, and so as the days passed the mystery
+ceased to be discussed and Yuma was forgotten.
+
+Hollis received a letter from Weary, dated "Chicago," announcing the
+safe arrival of himself and Ed Hazelton. "Town" suited him to a "T," he
+wrote. But Doctor Hammond would not operate at once--he wanted time to
+study the symptoms of Ed's malady. That was all. Hollis turned this
+letter over to Nellie, with another from Ed, addressed to her--whose
+contents remained a mystery to him.
+
+Ben Allen had returned from his visit to the small ranchers in the
+vicinity, had confided to Hollis that he had "mixed a little politics
+with business," and then, after receiving a telegram from the Secretary
+of the Interior, had taken himself off to Santa Fe to confer with the
+governor.
+
+After several days he returned. He entered the _Kicker_ office to
+greet Hollis, his face wreathed in smiles.
+
+"You've got 'em all stirred up, my boy!" he declared, placing his hand
+on Hollis's shoulder with a resounding "smack"; "they're goin' to
+enforce the little law we've got and they've passed some new ones.
+Here's a few! First and foremost, cattle stealing is to be considered
+felony! Penalty, from one to twenty years! Next--free water! Being as
+the rivers in this Territory ain't never been sold with what land the
+government sharks has disposed of, any cattleman's got the right to
+water wherever he wants to. The governor told me that if it's necessary
+he'll send Uncle Sam's blue coats anywhere in the Territory to enforce
+that! Third: after a man's registered his brand he can't change it
+unless he applies to the district judge. Them that ain't registered
+their brand ain't entitled to no protection. I reckon there's trouble
+ahead for any man which monkeys with another man's brand!
+
+"Say!" Allen eyed Hollis whimsically; "that new governor's all het up
+over you! Had a copy of the _Kicker_ in front of him on his desk
+when he was talkin' to me. Says you're a scrapper from the word go, an'
+that he'd back you up long as there was a blue coat anywhere in the
+Territory!"
+
+Allen's speech was ungrammatical, but its message was one of good cheer
+and Hollis's eyes brightened. The Law was coming at last! He could not
+help but wonder what Dunlavey's feelings would be when he heard of it.
+For himself, he felt as any man must feel who, laboring at a seemingly
+impossible task, endless and thankless, sees in the distance the
+possible, the end, and the plaudits of his friends.
+
+Yes, he could see the end, but the end was not yet. He looked gravely at
+Allen.
+
+"Did you happen to hear when these laws become effective?" he inquired.
+
+"On the first day of October!" returned Allen, triumphantly.
+
+Hollis smiled. "And election day is the third of November," he said.
+"That gives Dunlavey, Watkins and Company a month's grace--in case you
+are elected sheriff."
+
+Allen grinned. "They can't do a heap in a month," he said.
+
+"No," returned Hollis, "but in most elections that have come under my
+observation, I have noticed that the winning candidate does not assume
+office for a considerable time after the election. What is the custom
+out here?"
+
+Allen grinned grimly. "Usually it's two weeks," he said, "but if I'm
+elected it will be the next day--if I have to go down to the sheriff's
+office and drag Bill Watkins out by the hair!"
+
+"That belligerent spirit does you credit," dryly observed Hollis. "It
+will afford me great pleasure to participate in the festivities. But
+there is another matter to be thought of--which we seem to have
+overlooked. Usually before an election there is a primary, or a
+convention, is there not?"
+
+"There is," grinned Allen. "It's to-night, and I'm ready for it!" His
+grin expanded to a wide, whimsical smile. "I told you that I'd been
+mixing a little politics with business," he said. "Well, I've done so."
+He got up and approached the front window of the office, sweeping a hand
+toward the street. "If you'll just get up and look out here," he said,
+"you'll see that I ain't lying. There's some good in being an
+ex-office-holder--you get experience enough to tell you how to run a
+campaign." He bowed to Hollis. "Now, if you'll look close at that gang
+which is mixing palaver in front of the Silver Dollar you'll mebbe
+notice that Lemuel Train is in it, an' Truxton, of the Diamond Dot,
+Holcomb, of the Star, Yeager, of the Three Diamond, Clark, of the Circle
+Y, Henningson, of the Three Bar, Toban, of the T Down, an' some more
+which has come in for the racket tonight. Countin' 'em all--the punchers
+which have come in with the fellows I have named--there'll be about
+seventy-five.
+
+"An', say!" he added, suddenly confronting Hollis and grasping him by
+the shoulder and shaking him playfully and admiringly, "there wouldn't a
+durn one of them have come over here on my account. They up an' told me
+so when I asked them. Said they'd nothin' ag'in me, but they wasn't
+considerin' votin' at all. But since Hollis wanted me--well, they'd come
+over just to show you that they appreciated what you'd done for them!"
+
+Hollis smiled. He did not tell Allen that since the appearance of the
+_Kicker_ containing the announcement that he was to be its
+candidate he had written every small rancher in the vicinity, requesting
+as a personal favor that they appear in Dry Bottom on the day of the
+primary; that these letters had been delivered by Ace, and that when the
+poet returned he had presented Hollis with a list containing the name of
+every rancher who had promised to come, and that several days before
+Hollis had known approximately how many votes Allen would receive at the
+primary. He did not intend that Allen should know this--or that he had
+been going quietly from one Dry Bottom merchant to another, appealing to
+them for their support. And the earnestness with which many of them had
+promised had convinced him that the primary was to be the beginning of
+the end for Bill Watkins and Dunlavey.
+
+When he had first come to Dry Bottom it had been universally conceded by
+the town's citizens that his differences with Dunlavey and the
+Cattlemen's Association were purely personal, and there had been a
+disposition on the part of the citizens to let them fight it out between
+themselves. But of late there had come a change in that sentiment. The
+change had been gradual, beginning with the day when he had told the
+author of the notice that had appeared on the door of the _Kicker_
+office not to hold the express on his account. But the change had come
+and it was evident that it was to be permanent. It had only been
+necessary to arouse the government to the situation in order to secure
+intervention. He had hoped to secure this intervention without being
+forced to a hostile clash with the opposition, but his first meeting
+with Dunlavey had spoiled that. Subsequent events had widened the
+breach.
+
+He was satisfied. Let Bill Watkins be defeated for sheriff and Dunlavey
+was beaten. But there was much to be done before that desirable end
+could be achieved.
+
+Following the custom the primary was to be held in the sheriff's office.
+Watkins had issued a proclamation some weeks before; it had appeared on
+the door of the sheriff's office--a written notice, tacked to the
+door--but it had been removed the same day. Obviously, it was the
+sheriff's intention to conduct the primary as quietly as possible,
+hoping no doubt to disarm whatever opposition might develop. But Hollis
+had been apprised of the appearance of the proclamation and had quietly
+proceeded to plant the seed of opposition to Watkins in the minds of his
+friends.
+
+He had been warned by Judge Graney that Watkins would try to "pack" the
+sheriff's office with his friends on the night of the primary. This had
+been the usual method employed by Dunlavey when opposition to Watkins
+developed. Drunken, dissolute, dangerous men were usually on hand to
+overawe the opposition; the Judge told of instances in which gunplay had
+developed. But Hollis had determined that Watkins must be beaten.
+
+Allen did not stay long in the _Kicker_ office. Nor, for that
+matter, did Hollis. Once, during the morning, he went down to the court
+house to talk with Judge Graney. Then he returned to the _Kicker_
+office and worked until noon.
+
+During the morning there had been a surprising influx of visitors.
+Bronzed punchers on dusty, drooping ponies rode down the town's one
+street, dropped from their saddles, and sought the saloons. Groups of
+them swarmed the streets and the stores. As Hollis walked down to his
+office after leaving the court house, he was kept busy nodding to
+friends--many of whom had become such during the later days of the
+drought. Merchants grinned at him from their doorways; Dunlavey's
+friends sneered as he passed or sent ribald jokes after him.
+
+At noon he went to the Alhambra for lunch. Almost the first person he
+saw there was Dunlavey. The latter grinned at him mockingly.
+
+"Friends of yours in town to-day," he said with a sneer. "Well, you'll
+need them!"
+
+His voice had been loud enough for all in the restaurant to hear. Hollis
+did not answer, though he appreciated the significance of Dunlavey's
+words; they told him that the Circle Cross manager was aware of the
+contemplated contest and was ready for it.
+
+During the afternoon Dry Bottom presented a decidedly different
+appearance from the day when Hollis had first viewed it. Animation had
+succeeded desolation. Perhaps a hundred cowponies were hitched to the
+rails that paralleled the fronts of the saloons, the stores, and many of
+the private dwellings. It was apparent that many of the visitors had
+made the trip to town for the double purpose of voting and securing
+supplies, for mixed with the ponies were numerous wagons of various
+varieties, their owners loading them with boxes and crates. Men swarmed
+the sidewalks; the saloons buzzed.
+
+Toward dusk the volume of noise in the saloons drowned all sound
+outside. Having made their purchases the ranchers who had driven in for
+supplies and had loaded their wagons preparatory to departure found time
+to join their friends and acquaintances over a convivial glass. By the
+time the kerosene lamps were lighted in the saloons revelry reigned.
+From one saloon issued the shrieking, discordant notes of a violin,
+accompanied by the scuffling of feet; from another came laughter and the
+clinking of glasses; from still another came harsh oaths and obscene
+shouts. In the latter place rose the laughter of women.
+
+Seated at his desk near the front window of the _Kicker_ office
+Hollis gravely watched the scene--listened to the sounds. In another
+chair sat Potter. There was no light in the office; neither man had
+thought of a light. As the revelry in the saloons increased the printer
+glanced furtively at his chief.
+
+"There'll be hell to-night!" he said.
+
+"I expect there will be trouble," agreed Hollis.
+
+Potter shifted uneasily in his chair, eyeing his employer with a worried
+expression. He was silent for a moment. Then he cleared his throat
+nervously.
+
+"Do you intend to go there--to the sheriff's office--to-night?" he
+questioned.
+
+Hollis looked quickly at him. "Of course!" he said with emphasis. "Why?"
+he interrogated.
+
+"Nothing," returned Potter; "only----" he hesitated and then blurted
+out: "I wouldn't go if I were you. They've been saying that if you do
+there'll be trouble. You know what that means."
+
+"Who has been saying that?" inquired Hollis.
+
+"I heard it at noon--in the Silver Dollar. Some of Dunlavey's men sat
+near me and I heard them saying that Watkins was to win if they had to
+put two or three of his chief opponents out of business."
+
+"I have been expecting that," returned Hollis. He said nothing more and
+Potter, having done his duty, felt that he had no business to interfere
+further.
+
+Shortly after dark there was a clatter of hoofs outside the
+_Kicker_ office and four men dismounted from their ponies and
+strode to the office door. They were Norton, Ace, Lanky, and Bud.
+Evidently Hollis had been awaiting their coming, for he met them at the
+door, greeting them with the words: "We'll be going at once; it's about
+time."
+
+Followed by Potter the five strode rapidly down the street. When they
+arrived at the sheriff's office there were a number of men congregated
+about the door. Inside a kerosene lamp flickered on a table that sat in
+the center of the room. Another lamp stood on Watkins's desk, and beside
+the desk sat Watkins himself.
+
+Conversation died away as Hollis and his men approached the door and
+stood in the stream of light from the interior. A man stepped out of the
+shadow of the building and approached Hollis, drawing him and Norton
+aside. It was Allen. The latter had lost some of the sprightliness that
+had marked his manner during his conversation with Hollis in the
+_Kicker_ office that morning--he was again the cool, deliberate,
+steady-eyed man he had been that day in Judge Graney's office when
+Hollis had met him the first time.
+
+"I've been waitin' for you," he said; "we're goin' to have a scrumptuous
+time. Dunlavey's planning to pack her." He swept a hand toward the
+interior of the office. "But each candidate is to be allowed two
+witnesses. I've selected you two. Dunlavey and Greasy are doing the
+honors for Watkins. We might just as well go inside; we can't do
+anything out here. There won't be anything done by any of this gang
+until Dunlavey says the word."
+
+He turned and stepped into the sheriff's office, Hollis and Norton
+following.
+
+Watkins looked up and surveyed them with a bland smile as they entered
+and dropped quietly into the several chairs that had been provided.
+
+"I reckon she's goin' to be some hot tonight?" significantly remarked
+Watkins, addressing himself to Allen.
+
+"Maybe," grinned Allen.
+
+"We're goin' to take a hand in handlin' the Law," significantly remarked
+Norton.
+
+Watkins's face reddened. He stared offensively at Hollis.
+
+"I reckon you're a witness, too," he said, sneering. "Well," he went on
+as Hollis gravely nodded, "the law says that a witness to the count must
+be a resident of the county. An' I reckon you ain't. You ain't been----"
+
+"He stays," interrupted Allen, shortly. "That's settled."
+
+Watkins's face bloated with a sudden anger, but he wheeled without
+replying and gave his attention to some papers lying on the desk in
+front of him.
+
+For a long time the four sat in silence. Outside arose voices of
+men--growing in volume. There was a jam around the door; looking out
+Hollis could see the bronzed, grim faces of the punchers as they crowded
+close, moved by a spirit of curiosity. Hollis could hear exclamations of
+impatience, though the majority of the men outside stood in silence,
+waiting.
+
+Plainly, nothing was to be done until the arrival of Dunlavey. And
+presently he came.
+
+He had not been drinking; he was undeniably sober and self-possessed. As
+he entered the door of the office there was a sudden surge on the part
+of the crowd--several of the men tried to force their way in behind
+Dunlavey. But he halted on the threshold, scowling back at them and
+uttering the one word: "Wait!" The crowd fell back at the command and
+watched.
+
+Dunlavey stepped across the room, standing beside Watkins, his rapid
+glance noting the presence of the three members of the opposition. He
+ignored Hollis and Norton, speaking to Allen.
+
+"So you're sure enough going to run?" he said.
+
+"Sure," returned Allen. He rose slowly, stepped deliberately across the
+room, closed the door, and stood with his back to it.
+
+"We're all here now," he said quietly, "and I want to talk a little.
+There ain't no one going to hear what I've got to say but them I'm going
+to say it to. I reckon that goes?" He turned to Dunlavey.
+
+Dunlavey had shown some evidence of surprise over Allen's action in
+closing the door, but this immediately gave way to a sneer of mockery.
+"I reckon you've forgot Greasy," he said.
+
+"Why, I sure have!" returned Allen evenly. He opened the door a trifle
+and called: "Greasy!"
+
+Evidently Greasy had been waiting at the door, for he immediately came
+in, slouching across the floor and standing beside Watkins and Dunlavey.
+Allen closed the door and adjusted the fastenings carefully. Then he
+turned again to Dunlavey.
+
+"Now we'll proceed to do the talking," he said. He walked over to the
+chair that he had previously vacated, dropping carelessly into it and
+leaning comfortably back. His movements had been those of a man
+unquestionably sure of peace. The expression of his eyes, the tones of
+his voice, his deliberation hinted at a desire for a peaceful
+compromise.
+
+But once seated in his chair a startling change came over him. There was
+a rapid movement at his sides, a mere flash of light, and two heavy
+six-shooters appeared suddenly in his hands and lay there, unaimed, but
+forbiddingly ready. He sat erect, his eyes chilled and glittering,
+alert, filled with menace.
+
+"Now," he said sharply, "the first man who peeps above a whisper gets
+his so plenty that he won't care a damn who's nominated for sheriff!" He
+spoke to Norton and Hollis without turning his head. "You two get
+whatever guns them gentlemen happen to have on them, standing to one
+side so's I can see to perforate anyone who ain't agreeable to handing
+them over."
+
+Norton rose and approached Dunlavey, while Hollis stepped forward to the
+sheriff and secured the weapon that reposed in a holster at his right
+hip. He did likewise with Greasy. While Norton was relieving Dunlavey of
+his weapon the sheriff opened his lips to speak, his gaze fixed
+doubtfully on one of Allen's sixes.
+
+"The law----" he began. But Allen interrupted with a grin.
+
+"Sure," he said, "the law didn't figure on this. But I reckon you heard
+Big Bill say once that the law could be handled. I'm handling it now.
+But I reckon that lets you out--you ain't in on this and the mourners'll
+be after you to-morrow if you open your trap again!"
+
+The sheriff swelled with rage, but he closed his lips tightly. When
+Hollis and Norton had completed their search for weapons and had laid
+the result of their search on the table near Allen they sought their
+chairs.
+
+Dunlavey had said nothing. He stood beside Watkins's desk, still
+self-possessed, the mocking smile still on his face, though into his
+eyes had come a doubting, worried expression. Plainly he had not
+anticipated such drastic action from Allen.
+
+The latter laughed grimly, quietly. "Sort of unexpected, wasn't it,
+Bill?" he said, addressing Dunlavey. "It ain't just the sort of politics
+that you've been used to. But I'm kind of used to it myself. Had to pull
+the same game off over in Colfax County when I was runnin' for sheriff
+the first time. It worked, too, because the folks that was mixed up in
+it knowed I wasn't ringing in any bluff." He looked at Dunlavey with a
+level, steady gaze, his eyes gleaming coldly. "If you think I'm bluffing
+now, chirp for some one of your pluguglies to bust into this game. I'd
+sort of like to let off my campaign guns into your dirty gizzard!"
+
+Hollis had been watching Dunlavey closely. There was no fear in the
+man's eyes; even the doubt and worry that had been there had disappeared
+and his expression was now mildly ironical, contrasting oddly with the
+demeanor of Watkins--who was plainly frightened--and that of Greasy--who
+smirked and showed his teeth like some beast at bay and in fear of
+death. It was evident that Dunlavey possessed the spirit of the fighter,
+that indomitable courage which enables a man to face any situation and
+still retain his presence of mind, which permits him to face death
+unafraid and unyielding. In spite of the enmity that had existed between
+them from the beginning, Hollis had always respected Dunlavey for these
+very qualities, and within the last few minutes that respect had grown.
+
+Dunlavey's eyes gleamed as he looked at Allen. "I don't think you would
+try to work any bluff on me, Allen," he said quietly. "You've took me by
+surprise, that's a fact. But let's get down to business. What's your
+game?"
+
+"I reckon that's a sensible way to look at it," returned Allen evenly.
+"That's the way I expected you'd look at it when you begun to realize
+that I was holding some pretty good cards. There ain't nothing personal
+in this; I'm out for a square deal and I'm going to get it. I want you
+to understand that I'm running this game to-night and I'm running it
+square. If I get enough votes I'm going to be the next sheriff. If I
+don't get enough votes Bill Watkins'll be it. But the votes are going to
+be real votes. I ain't figuring on letting your gang pack in here and
+keep my friends from voting.
+
+"I'm going to put your hat on this table. Then Norton will open the door
+and let one man come in. That man will vote--for whoever he pleases.
+Then Mr. Hollis will let him out the back door and Norton will let
+another man in the front. There won't be any row. I'm telling you that
+you and Bill Watkins and Greasy are going to set here and watch the
+voting. I'm going to stand behind you with one of my guns tucked under
+your fifth rib. If you, or Watkins, or Greasy let out a yawp that can be
+construed as a signal for anyone to bust into the game, or if there's
+anything started by your friends which ain't your doing, I'm going to
+pump six chunks of lead into you so fast that they'll be playing tag
+with one another going through. I reckon you get me. That ends the
+palaver."
+
+He arose, snatched Dunlavey's hat from his head, placed it on the table,
+and walked behind Dunlavey, standing against the wall.
+
+"Open the door!" he directed, looking at Norton.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+HANDLING THE LAW
+
+
+Norton opened the door a trifle and called "One man at a time!" There
+were some hoarse shouts from without--presumably from Dunlavey's
+friends; a chorus of derisive laughter from Allen's. Then the first man
+entered.
+
+It was Ace. The poet stood for an instant, blinking at the light, then
+he grinned as his gaze rested on the occupants of the room. He was
+directed how to cast his ballot. He took the piece of paper that was
+given him by Norton, scrawled "Allen" across it with a pencil that
+Norton had previously placed on the table, and dropped the paper into
+Dunlavey's hat. Hollis opened the rear door for him, but he halted on
+the threshold, looking back into the room with a broad grin.
+
+"Gawd A'mighty!" he said in an awed tone; "there must have been a wad of
+money blowed in in this here town to-day! Drunks! Man alive there ain't
+nothin' but drunks; the town's reelin' with 'em! They're layin' in the
+street; there's a dozen in the Silver Dollar an' that many more in the
+Fashion--an' Gawd knows how many more in the other saloons. Their heads
+is under the tables; they're hangin' on the walls an' clawin' around in
+spittoons--gle-or-i-ously, be-ut-i-fully paralyzed!"
+
+He was suddenly outside, pushed through the door by Hollis, and the door
+closed after him. Hollis glanced furtively at Dunlavey to see that
+gentleman scowl. He thought he saw a questioning glint in Allen's eyes
+as the latter looked suddenly at him, but he merely smiled and gave his
+attention to the next man, who was now entering.
+
+The latter proved to be Lemuel Train. He did his voting quietly and
+grimly. But as he went out through the door that Hollis opened for him
+he growled: "Lordy, what a drunken bunch!" He looked at Hollis. "One of
+your men, too," he said, grinning slightly. "I thought you taught them
+better!"
+
+Hollis frowned. He knew that Allen would need all his friends; none of
+them could be spared in this crisis. He smiled incredulously. It had
+been only a short time before that his men had accompanied him to the
+door of the sheriff's office. At that time they were perfectly sober. It
+would have been impossible for any of them--
+
+"An' Ten Spot's a hummer when he gits started," Train was saying. "I've
+seen him before when he cut loose an' he sure is a holy terror!"
+
+Then with a word of parting Train was gone, saying that he had done all
+the "damage" he could and that he purposed "hitting" the trail back to
+his ranch.
+
+He had certainly done some damage to Hollis. The latter's mind now
+rioted with all sorts of conjecture and he mechanically did his work of
+letting man after man out through the rear door, scarcely seeing them.
+
+He was aware of an odd expression that had come into Dunlavey's eyes at
+the mention of Ten Spot. Had Dunlavey succeeded in bribing Ten Spot to
+desert him? He had left Ten Spot at the Circle Bar, not inviting him to
+Dry Bottom because he felt that the latter would rather not come since
+he had deserted Dunlavey. And Ten Spot had come to town anyway. What did
+it mean? Did it mean that Ten Spot had come to assist Dunlavey in
+nominating Watkins and defeating his new employer?
+
+He frowned again, and for the next few minutes gravely studied
+Dunlavey's face. He was sure that the latter's manner had changed. The
+mocking smile which had been on his face since his arrival at the
+sheriff's office had been superseded by a huge grin--plainly of
+anticipation. Ten Spot--dangerous, reckless, drunk, at the head of a
+number of dissolute men, had it in his power to make things decidedly
+interesting should he advance on the sheriff's office with the intention
+of assisting Dunlavey.
+
+Several times since hiring Ten Spot Hollis had doubted him. The
+suspicion had assailed him that perhaps the appearance of Ten Spot at
+the Hazelton cabin so opportunely had been a part of a plot by Dunlavey
+to place a spy in his employ. They might have purposely sacrificed Yuma.
+
+During the next quarter of an hour he gave more attention to Dunlavey
+than to the steady stream of men that passed through the room, though he
+recognized a goodly number as friends he had made during the latter days
+of the drought.
+
+Allen's spirits had risen during the last quarter of an hour. His
+maneuver had dissipated Dunlavey's strength and it was plain to be seen
+that a majority of the votes cast were for him. If nothing unusual or
+unexpected happened within the next hour, or until nine o'clock, the
+hour named in Watkins's proclamation for the closing of the polls, he
+was assured of victory.
+
+Thoughts of the same character were passing through Hollis's mind. There
+was silence in the office. A man was voting at the table--writing his
+favorite's name on a piece of paper. Hollis consulted his watch. It
+lacked over an hour of the time for closing. The man at the table
+finished writing and tossed the paper into the hat. Hollis opened the
+rear door to allow him to go out. While the door remained open a sound
+floated in, which they all heard--an ear-splitting screech, followed
+instantly by a chorus of yells, a pistol report, more yells, and then a
+number of reports.
+
+Norton did not open the door. He exchanged glances with Hollis and
+Allen. Dunlavey grinned widely.
+
+"Something's coming," remarked Allen grimly.
+
+Dunlavey's grin grew derisive. "It would sure be too bad if my friends
+should bust up this peace meeting," he sneered.
+
+"There won't be nothin' spoiled," grimly assured Allen. But he drew his
+other six-shooter.
+
+The sounds outside grew in volume as they swept toward the sheriff's
+office. They broke presently at the door and an ominous silence
+succeeded. Then a voice reached the interior--harsh authoritative--Ten
+Spot's voice.
+
+"Open up, you damned shorthorns!" it said.
+
+Norton looked at Allen. The latter's face was pale. "They come in," he
+directed, "like the others--one at a time."
+
+Norton carefully withdrew the bar with which the door was fastened,
+swinging it open slightly. As he did so there was a sudden rush of
+bodies; Norton tried to jam the door shut, failed, and was flung back
+several steps by the surging, yelling crowd that piled tumultuously into
+the room.
+
+There were perhaps twenty of them and as they surged into the room,
+shouting and cursing and laughing Hollis recognized among them many men
+that he had come to know by sight. They were of the reckless, lawless
+element upon which Dunlavey had relied for his support--men of Ten
+Spot's character. They had been drinking, but in spite of their laughter
+and loud talking it was plain to be seen that they had determined not to
+be balked in the purpose which had brought them into the office.
+
+There was now no need to guard the door; the damage had been wrought,
+and Norton backed away, leaving the door ajar, pale, grim eyed, alert,
+ready to take an active part in the trouble which he felt certain was
+sure to develop. Something in the faces of the men who had come in with
+Ten Spot proclaimed trouble.
+
+Allen had not moved. He still stood behind Dunlavey, but his weapons no
+longer menaced the Circle Cross manager; their muzzles, level and
+forbidding, were covering the other men.
+
+Standing quietly beside the rear door, his face pale, his eyes bright,
+his lips in straight lines, Hollis watched closely as the visitors,
+having gained entrance, gathered together in the center of the room.
+They were not awed by Allen's weapons; they grinned hugely at him. One
+man, a young man of about Hollis's age, bronzed, lean, reckless of eye,
+and unmistakably under the influence of liquor, lunged forward to Allen
+and stood within arm's length of him, grinning at him.
+
+"Two guns!" he said with a laugh. "Why, I reckon you'd make a hell of a
+sheriff!"
+
+A chorus of laughter greeted the young cowboy's words. Dunlavey grinned
+widely. "You boys are just in time," he said.
+
+There was another roar of laughter. Many of the men seemed only now to
+have become aware of Dunlavey's presence and they surged forward around
+him, disregarding Allen's guns. The latter seemed to realize that the
+situation had passed beyond his control, for catching Hollis's eye he
+smiled grimly and sheathed his weapons, seeking Hollis's side.
+
+"It's no use," he said shortly to Hollis as he came near; "they'll run
+things to suit themselves now. I wasn't expectin' Ten Spot to butt into
+the game."
+
+"I reckon they've got us." Norton had also sought Hollis's side and the
+three stood near the rear door, watching the crowd around Dunlavey.
+Hollis tried to catch Ten Spot's gaze but failed--the latter seemed
+studiously to avoid him.
+
+A wave of dull anger surged through Hollis's veins. Until now the
+contest had been conducted fairly; they had given Dunlavey and Watkins
+an honest election, even though they had found it necessary to eliminate
+them as active participants. From now on he was assured the contest
+would be a joke--though a grim one. He had depended upon Allen's
+success--it meant much to him. The thought of failure just when victory
+was within his grasp aroused him and in spite of Norton's low word of
+caution he stepped forward and stood beside the table on which reposed
+the hat into which the ballots had been placed by the men who had
+previously voted. He intended to take personal charge of the hat,
+determined upon securing a fair deal in spite of the great odds.
+
+As he stepped forward he saw Greasy grin maliciously and try to snatch a
+gun from the holster of a cowboy who stood near him. This attempt was
+frustrated by the puncher, who suddenly dropped his hand to his holster,
+where it closed upon Greasy's. The puncher snarled, muttered profanely,
+and struck furiously at Greasy, knocking him down in a corner.
+
+Other men moved. There were curses; the flashing of metal as guns came
+out. Hollis felt rather than saw Norton and Allen advance toward the
+table and stand beside him. A grim smile wreathed his face over the
+knowledge that in the crowd there were at least two men upon whom he
+might depend to the end--whatever the end might be.
+
+He heard Dunlavey snarl an oath, saw his big form loom out of the crowd,
+saw one of his gigantic hands reach for the hat on the table.
+
+"I reckon I'll take charge of this now!" he sneered, his brutal face
+close to Hollis's.
+
+Hollis would have struck the face that was so close to his, but at the
+instant he saw Dunlavey's hand reach out for the hat he saw another hand
+dart out from the other side of the table, seize the hat, and draw it
+out of Dunlavey's reach.
+
+"I don't reckon that you'll take charge of her!" said a voice.
+
+Hollis turned quickly. Over the table leaned Ten Spot, the captured hat
+in his hand, a big forty-five in the other, a cold, evil glitter in his
+eyes as he looked up at Dunlavey.
+
+"I don't reckon that you're goin' to have a hand in runnin' this show
+a-tall, Bill," he sneered. "Me an' my friends come down here special to
+tend to that." He grinned the shallow, hard grin that marks the passing
+of a friendship and the dawn of a bitter hatred. "You see, Bill, me an'
+my friends has got sorta tired of the way you've been runnin' things an'
+we're shufflin' the cards for a new deal. This here tenderfoot which
+you've been a-slanderin' shameful is man's size an' we're seein' that he
+gits a fair shake in this here. I reckon you git me?"
+
+Hollis felt Norton poking him in the ribs, but he did not turn; he was
+too intent upon watching the two principal actors in the scene. Tragedy
+had been imminent; comedy was slowly gaining the ascendency. For at the
+expression that had come over Dunlavey's face several of the men were
+grinning broadly. Were the stakes not so great Hollis would have felt
+like smiling himself. Dunlavey seemed stunned. He stood erect, passing
+his hand over his forehead as though half convinced that the scene were
+an illusion and that the movement of the hand would dispel it. Several
+times his lips moved, but no words came and he turned, looking about at
+the men who were gathered around him, scanning their faces for signs
+that would tell him that they were not in sympathy with Ten Spot. But
+the faces that he looked upon wore mocking grins and sneers.
+
+"An' I've been tellin' the boys how you set Yuma on Nellie Hazelton, an'
+they've come to the conclusion that a guy which will play a low down
+mean game like that on a woman ain't no fit guy to have no hand in any
+law makin'."
+
+Ten Spot's voice fell coldly and metallically in the silence of the
+room. Slowly recovering from the shock Dunlavey attempted a sneer, which
+gradually faded into a mirthless smile as Ten Spot continued:
+
+"An' you ain't goin' to have a hand in any more law-makin' in this man's
+town. Me an' my friends is goin' to see to that, an' my boss, Mr.
+Hollis. I reckon that'll be about all. You don't need to hang around
+here while we do the rest of the votin'. Watkins an' Greasy c'n stay to
+see that everything goes on regular." He grinned wickedly as Dunlavey
+stiffened. "I reckon you know me, Bill. I ain't palaverin' none. You an'
+Ten Spot is quits!"
+
+He stepped back a little, away from the table, his teeth showing in a
+mocking grin. Then he looked down at the hat which he still held in his
+hand--Dunlavey's hat. He laughed. "Why, I'm cert'nly impolite!" he said
+insinuatingly. "Here you've been wantin' to go an' I've been keepin'
+your hat!" He dumped the ballots upon the table and passed the hat to
+Dunlavey. Without a word Dunlavey took it, jerking it savagely, placed
+it on his head, and strode to the door, stepping down into the street.
+
+There was a short silence. Then Ten Spot turned and looked at Hollis,
+his face wreathed in a broad grin.
+
+"I reckon you-all think you know somethin' about handlin' the law," he
+said, "but your little Ten Spot ain't exactly the measliest card in the
+deck! We'll do our votin' now."
+
+A quarter of an hour later, after Ten Spot and his friends had cast
+their ballots and Watkins had been forced to make out a certificate of
+nomination,--which reposed safely in Ben Allen's inside pocket--the
+kerosene lights were extinguished and the men filed out. Hollis and Ten
+Spot were the last to leave. As they stood for a moment on the threshold
+of the doorway Hollis seized Ten Spot's hand and gripped it heartily.
+
+"I want to thank you, my friend," he said earnestly.
+
+Ten Spot jerked his hand away. "Aw, hell!" he said as they sought the
+darkness of the street, "I ain't mushin' none. But," he added, as a
+concession to his feelings, "I reckon to know a white man when I see
+one!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+AUTUMN AND THE GODS
+
+
+It was Sunday afternoon and a hazy, golden, late September sun was
+swimming lazily in the blue arc of sky, flooding the lower gallery of
+the Circle Bar ranchhouse, but not reaching a secluded nook in which sat
+Hollis and Nellie Hazelton. Mrs. Norton was somewhere in the house and
+Norton had gone down to the bunkhouse for a talk with the men--Hollis
+and Nellie could see him, sitting on a bench in the shade of the eaves,
+the other men gathered about him.
+
+Below the broad level that stretched away from the ranchhouse sank the
+big basin, sweeping away to the mountains. Miles into the distance the
+Circle Bar cattle could be seen--moving dots in the center of a great,
+green bowl. To the right Razor-Back ridge loomed its bald crest upward
+with no verdure saving the fringe of shrubbery at its base; to the left
+stretched a vast plain that met the distant horizon that stretched an
+interminable distance behind the cottonwood. Except for the moving dots
+there was a total absence of life and movement in the big basin. It
+spread in its wide, gradual, downward slope, bathed in the yellow
+sunshine of the new, mellow season, peacefully slumberous, infinitely
+beautiful.
+
+Many times had Hollis sat in the gallery watching it, his eyes
+glistening, his soul stirred to awe. Long since had he ceased regretting
+the glittering tinsel of the cities of his recollection; they seemed
+artificial, unreal. When he had first gazed out over the basin he had
+been oppressed with a sensation of uneasiness. Its vastness had appalled
+him, its silence had aroused in him that vague disquiet which is akin to
+fear. But these emotions had passed. He still felt awed--he would always
+feel it, for it seemed that here he was looking upon a section of the
+world in its primitive state; that in forming this world the creator had
+been in his noblest mood--so far did the lofty mountains, the wide,
+sweeping valleys, the towering buttes, and the mighty canyons dwarf the
+flat hills and the puny shallows of the land he had known. But he was no
+longer appalled; disquietude had been superseded by love.
+
+It all seemed to hold some mystery for him--an alluring, soul-stirring
+mystery. The tawny mountains, immutable guardians of the basin, whose
+peaks rose somberly in the twilight glow--did they hold it? Or was it
+hidden in the basin, in the great, green sweep that basked in the
+eternal sunlight?
+
+Perhaps there was no mystery. Perhaps he felt merely the romance that
+would inevitably come to one who deeply appreciated the beauty of a land
+into which he had come so unwillingly? For romance was here.
+
+He turned his head slightly and looked at the girl who sat beside him.
+She also was looking out over the basin, her eyes filled with a light
+that thrilled him. He studied her face long, noting the regular
+features, the slight tan, through which shone the dusky bloom of perfect
+health; the golden brown hair, with the wind-blown wisps straggling over
+her temples; he felt the unaccountable, indefinable something that told
+him of her inborn innocence and purity--qualities that he had worshiped
+ever since he had been old enough to know the difference between right
+and wrong.
+
+A deep respect moved him, a reverent smile wreathed his lips. Motherly?
+Yes, that world-thrilling word aptly described her. And as he continued
+to look at her he realized that this world held no mystery for him
+beyond that which was enthroned in the heart of the girl who sat beside
+him, unconscious of his thoughts.
+
+He turned again toward the basin. He did not want to uncover the
+mystery--yet. There were still several things to be done before he would
+feel free to speak the words that he had meditated upon for some weeks.
+Meanwhile--if the gods were with him--the solving of the mystery would
+be the more enjoyable.
+
+Two weeks of inaction had followed the primary incident. Several of Ten
+Spot's friends were now in his employ; in spite of the drought the
+Circle Bar had so far experienced a very prosperous season, and, though
+the addition of the men represented quite an item of expense, he felt
+that it was much better to employ them than to allow them to be
+re-engaged by Dunlavey.
+
+He had been able to save considerable money. This he had transferred to
+a bank in Santa Fe, for he had determined to stay in the West. He had
+told his mother of this decision and had asked her to come, but she had
+written that she preferred to remain East for a time--at least until the
+following spring.
+
+Hollis was satisfied. Affairs were progressing beyond his anticipations.
+Dunlavey's influence in the county had received a mighty blow in the
+defeat of Watkins at the primary; he had received notice of the
+enactment of several new laws that would appreciably assist him in his
+fight; he had succeeded in winning many friends because of his attitude
+on the water question; the increased number of advertisements appearing
+in the _Kicker_ would soon necessitate the addition of an extra
+sheet. It all presaged prosperity. Yes, he was satisfied. And yet--
+
+He turned again and looked at the girl. This time he caught her watching
+him. Evidently she had been watching him for a long time for her gaze
+was fixed and meditative, as though she had been studying him. She
+started and blushed when he turned and caught her, looking down in
+sudden and complete confusion. But she looked up again instantly,
+meeting his gaze steadily, her lips in a frank smile.
+
+"You have been thinking of this country," she said.
+
+"You have guessed it," he returned gravely and gently; "I have been
+thinking of this country--and its people." He smiled at her, his eyes
+shining with a light that caused hers to waver and droop. "But how did
+you discover that?" he questioned. "I was not aware that I had been
+speaking my thoughts."
+
+"Do you think it is always necessary to speak?" she answered, looking at
+him with a quiet smile. "Don't you think there are times when one's
+thoughts find expression in one's eyes? When we can not conceal them--no
+matter how hard we try? I know that you were thinking of the country,"
+she went on earnestly, "because a few moments ago I had been thinking of
+it too and I know that my emotions were exactly the same as those
+expressed in your eyes. It is magnificent, isn't it?" she said in an
+awed, eager voice. "It is so big, so mighty, so soul-stirring. It
+allures with its vastness, it dazzles with its beauty; it makes one feel
+closer to the Creator, even while pressing home a disquieting sense of
+one's own insignificance.
+
+"For instance," she went on, her eyes large and luminous, a new, quiet
+color coming into her face "there are times when our tasks seem
+stupendous, when we are filled with an overpowering consciousness of the
+importance of them; when we feel that we are carrying such a burden that
+the addition of another would make the load too heavy. Then we look upon
+God's work and immediately a still, small voice within us cries: 'What
+have ye done in comparison to this?' And what have we done?" she
+suddenly demanded.
+
+"Nothing," he returned gravely, awed by this fleeting illuminating
+glimpse into her soul.
+
+She leaned back into her chair with a smile. "Those were the things I
+was thinking about. And you, too, were thinking of them," she added.
+"Now, don't deny it!" she warned, "for I saw it in your eyes!"
+
+"No!" he said with a quick smile; "I don't deny it. But I was thinking
+of the people also."
+
+"Oh, the people!" she said with a frown.
+
+"Perhaps I should have said 'person,'" he modified with a quick glance
+at her, under which her eyes drooped in swift confusion--as they had
+drooped on another occasion which he remembered.
+
+"Oh!" she said merely.
+
+"I have been comparing this person to God's other works," he said, a
+light in his eyes which told that the former decision to postpone an
+attempt to uncover the mystery had been ruthlessly put aside, "and I
+have come to the conclusion that in spite of the infinite care he took
+in forming the beautiful world out yonder he did not neglect this person
+to whom I refer."
+
+Her eyes met his in a glance of swift comprehension. She drew a slow,
+deep breath and averted her face, which was now crimson.
+
+"As you have been able to illustrate man's insignificance in comparison
+to God's mighty creations, so has my own inferiority been forced upon me
+by my attempting to compare myself to the sweet character of the person
+of whom I speak," said Hollis, his voice low and earnest. "It has been a
+question whether--when I speak to her of a thing which has been on my
+mind for many days--she could not with justice paraphrase the question
+asked by the still, small voice and say: What have you done to deserve
+this? And I should have to reply--nothing." He had moved closer to her,
+leaning forward to look into her eyes.
+
+She sat very still, her gaze on the basin. "Perhaps this very estimable
+person holds other views?" she returned, with a flash of mischief in her
+eyes. She turned suddenly and looked straight at him, meeting his gaze
+unwaveringly, a demure smile on her face. "I told you that sometimes a
+person's thoughts were expressed in their eyes," she said--and now her
+lashes flickered--"perhaps you can tell what my thoughts are?"
+
+It was a challenge, a defiance, and an unconditional surrender. Like a
+flash one of Hollis's arms went out--she was drawn, vainly protesting,
+toward him.
+
+"You haven't answered," she laughed, in a smothered voice; "you are not
+certain----"
+
+She did not finish the sentence. Mrs. Norton, coming to the door for a
+breath of fresh air, halted on the threshold, looked, smiled, and then
+quietly--very quietly--slipped back into the house.
+
+Away out over the basin a Mexican eagle circled, winging his slow way
+through the golden sunshine of the afternoon. Miles away the mountain
+peaks rose somberly, a mysterious, golden halo rising slowly above them.
+Perhaps there would always be mystery in the mountains, but a certain
+mystery that had troubled Hollis mightily had been successfully solved.
+The gods had favored him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+THE SEAR AND YELLOW DAYS
+
+
+"This here town,"--read a letter that Hollis received from Weary late in
+September--"aint fit for no man to live in which thinks anythink of
+hisself, in the first place theres two many folks here which dont seem
+to know what to do with themselves they just keep millin around an actin
+like they was ready to stampead any time. In the 2nd place im runnin shy
+of dust an id admire for to receave about a months pay which i wont
+charge two you bein as ive already spent more then i ought two its a
+good thing i got a return ticket or id be in a hell of a fix when i got
+ready to come back last nite the doctor at the hospittle said hed
+operate on ed today which hes already done this mornin an eds restin
+easy though the doc dont know whether hes goin to git well or not but
+hes hopin an ile let you know by telegraph if he gits any worse which is
+all for this time.
+
+P. S. say boss dont forgit to hustel that coin ile shure make it right
+with you i forgot to tell you that i got cleaned out by a card sharper
+here i would have tore him apart but about a million sheriffs piled onto
+me an i dident have no chancst what in hell does any town need with so
+many sheriffs.
+                                                               "Weary.
+
+"P. S. id like to be home for the round-up but reckon i wont make it.
+
+                                                               "Weary."
+
+Nellie Hazelton did not see this letter, though Hollis told her that Ed
+had been operated on and that he was doing as well as could be expected.
+And the telegraph that night flashed Weary's "coin" to him.
+
+The days passed all too quickly now, for the time for the fall round-up
+was at hand and Hollis realized with regret that his daily rides--with
+Nellie Hazelton as a companion--must soon be discontinued.
+
+The nights had already grown cool; snow had appeared on the mountain
+peaks; the basin was no longer a great green bowl, but resembled a
+mammoth, concave palette upon which nature had mixed her colors--yellow
+and gold and brown, with here and there a blotch of red and purple, a
+dash of green,--lingering over the season--and great, wide stretches of
+gray. The barren spots seemed to grow more barren--mocked by the scarlet
+blossoms of the cactus that seemed to be everlasting, and the fringing,
+yellow soap weed, hardy, defying the advancing winter. Razor-Back ridge
+was a desolate place. Never attractive, it reared aloft barren and
+somber, frowning down upon its fringe of shrubbery the latter stripped
+of its leaves, its scant beauty gone and bending its bare branches
+stubbornly to the early winds.
+
+With the last day of the month came a rain--a cold, bitter, driving
+storm that raged for three days and started a drift that the cattlemen
+could not stop. Arrayed in tarpaulins the cowboys went forth, suffering,
+cursing, laboring heroically to stem the tide. The cattle retreated
+steadily before the storm--no human agency could halt them. On the
+second day Norton came into the Circle Bar ranchhouse, wet, disgusted,
+but fighting mad.
+
+"If this damn rain don't stop pretty soon," he told Hollis as he dried
+himself before the open fireplace, "we'll have cattle down here from
+over the Colorado line. An' then there'll be hell to pay!"
+
+But on the third day the rain ceased and the sun came out. The country
+lay smiling in the sunshine, mellow, glistening, inviting. But the
+damage had been wrought. From Lemuel Train of the Pig Pen outfit, came
+word that fifty per cent of his cattle were missing. Truxton of the
+Diamond Dot, Henningson of the Three Bar, and nearly all of the other
+small owners, reported losses. Of course the cattle would be recovered
+during the fall round up, but they were now scattered and fair prey for
+cattle thieves, and with the round up still two weeks away it seemed
+that many must be stolen.
+
+Yet there was nothing that could be done; it is folly to attempt to "cut
+out" cattle on the open range.
+
+From the editorial columns of the _Kicker_ might be gleaned the
+fact that the Law had come into Union County. Many men of Dry Bottom
+entered the _Kicker_ office to thank Hollis; others boldly draped
+their houses with flags and bunting.
+
+Dunlavey had visited Dry Bottom twice since the incident of the primary.
+He had said nothing concerning the incident to anyone save possibly his
+intimates, but from the sneer that appeared on his face when approached
+by those whom he considered friendly to Hollis it was plain that he
+intended continuing the fight.
+
+Hollis had been compelled to record in the _Kicker_ the unpleasant
+news that Dunlavey had refused to comply with the new law regulating
+brands and the submitting of lists for taxation, and also that he had
+threatened to shoot the first officer trespassed on his land. Dunlavey
+had not complied with the law, but he had failed to carry out his threat
+to "shoot the first officer that trespassed on his land," for Allen had
+trespassed several times, openly and boldly. Moreover, Dunlavey had seen
+him, had even spoken to him, but had offered no violence.
+
+Perhaps in a calmer mood Dunlavey had decided not to use his weapon;
+perhaps there was something about the quiet, cool, and deliberate Allen
+which convinced Dunlavey that the former might be able to give a good
+account of himself in the event of trouble. At any rate several times
+Allen had ridden the Circle Cross range unmolested by either Dunlavey or
+his men. He explored the farthest limits of the Circle Cross property,
+tallying the cattle, nosing around the corrals, examining brands, and
+doing sundry other things not calculated to allay Dunlavey's anger over
+this new and odd condition of affairs.
+
+Then one day he failed to visit the Circle Cross. Instead, he appeared
+to Potter in the office of the _Kicker_ with copy for a poster
+announcing the sale by auction of a thousand of Dunlavey's best cattle.
+He ordered Potter to print it so that he might post copies throughout
+the county within a week. The night following the issue of the
+_Kicker_ containing the announcement concerning the coming of the
+law Potter had informed Hollis that he had that day delivered the
+notices to Allen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+IN DEFIANCE OF THE LAW
+
+
+Hollis had demonstrated the fact that a majority of Dry Bottom's
+citizens welcomed the law. Dry Bottom had had a law, to be sure--the law
+of the six-shooter, with the cleverest man "on the trigger" as its chief
+advocate. Few men cared to appear before such a court with an argument
+against its jurisdiction. The law, as the citizens of Dry Bottom had
+seen it, was an institution which frowned upon such argument. Few men
+cared to risk an adverse decision of the established court to advocate
+laws which would come from civilized authority; they had remained silent
+against the day when it would come in spite of the element that had
+scoffed at it. And now that day had arrived. The Law had come.
+
+Even the evil element knew it. The atmosphere was vibrant with
+suppressed excitement; in the stores men and women were congregated; in
+the saloons rose a buzz of continuous conversation. On the street men
+greeted one another with subdued voices, or halted one another to
+discuss the phenomenon. In a dozen conspicuous places were posted
+flaring, printed notices, informing the reader that a thousand of the
+Circle Cross cattle--a description of which followed--were, on the
+following day, to be sold to the highest bidder. Below this
+announcement, in small, neat print, was quoted the Law.
+
+Dry Bottom gasped. The saloons swarmed. In the Fashion two bartenders
+and the proprietor labored heroically to supply their customers with the
+liquid stimulant which would nerve them to look upon Ben Allen's posters
+with a certain degree of equanimity. The reckless element--the gun-men
+who in a former day were wont to swagger forth with reckless disregard
+for the polite conventions--skulked in the background, sneering at this
+thing which had come to rob them of their power and which, they felt,
+presaged their ultimate downfall.
+
+But Dry Bottom ignored the gun-men, or smiled blandly at them, giving
+its attention to Ben Allen's posters and discussing a rumor which had
+gained rapid credence, to the effect that the new governor had
+telegraphed Allen that he would hold a detail of United States soldiers
+in readiness for any contingency.
+
+The good citizens smiled. And throughout the day many of them passed and
+repassed the _Kicker_ office, anxious to get a glimpse of the man
+who had been instrumental in bringing about this innovation.
+
+Shortly after noon on the same day Dunlavey rode into Dry Bottom,
+dismounted, hitched his pony to the rail in front of the Fashion, and
+entered.
+
+In former days Dunlavey's appearance within the doors of the Fashion was
+the signal for boisterous greetings. For here might always be found the
+law's chief advocates. To-day, however, there were no greetings. Minds
+were filled with vague and picturesque conjecture concerning Dunlavey's
+probable actions and the outcome of this strange affair. Thus upon
+Dunlavey's entrance a silence--strange and awkward--fell in the
+bar-room. There were short nods and men fell away from Dunlavey as he
+crossed the room and came to a halt before one of Ben Allen's posters.
+He read every line of it--every word. No man interrupted him. Then,
+finishing his reading, he turned and faced the crowd, his face white
+with wrath, his lips snarling.
+
+"Why in hell didn't some of you damned fools tear this down?" he
+demanded.
+
+No man felt it incumbent upon him to reply to this and Dunlavey watched
+them for an instant, sneering, his eyes glittering menacingly. Then he
+suddenly turned, seized the poster, savagely tore it into pieces, hurled
+the pieces to the floor, and stamped upon them. Then he turned again to
+the silent crowd, his face inflamed, his voice snapping with a bitter,
+venomous sarcasm.
+
+"Scared!" he said. "Scared out clean--like a bunch of coyotes runnin'
+from the daylight!" He made a strange sound with his lips, expressing
+his unutterable contempt for men so weakly constituted.
+
+"Quit!" he grated. "Quit clean because a tenderfoot comes out here and
+tries to run things! So long as things come your way you're willing to
+stick it out, but when things go the other way--Ugh!"
+
+He turned abruptly, strode out through the door, mounted his pony, and
+rode rapidly down the street. Several of the men, who went to the door
+after his departure, saw him riding furiously toward the Circle Cross.
+
+Then one of his former friends laughed harshly--sarcastically. "I reckon
+that there tenderfoot is botherin' Big Bill a whole lot," he said as he
+turned to the bar.
+
+                   *       *       *       *       *
+
+It had been a busy day for Hollis. His hand had been shaken so much that
+it pained him. The day had been a rather warm one for the season and so
+when late in the afternoon Norton rode into town, "To see the
+excitement," he told Hollis, the latter determined to make the return
+trip to the Circle Bar in the evening. Therefore, after a short
+conference with Judge Graney and Allen--and a frugal, though wholesome
+supper in the Judge's rooms back of the court house--which Allen
+cooked--he and Norton rode out upon the Coyote trail and jogged quietly
+toward the Circle Bar.
+
+There was a good moon; the air was invigorating, though slightly chill,
+and the trail lay clear and distinct before them, hard after the rain,
+ideal for riding.
+
+Many times during the first half hour of the ride Norton looked
+furtively at his chief. Certain things that Mrs. Norton had told him
+held a prominent place in his thoughts, and mingling with these thoughts
+was the recollection of a conversation that he had held with Hollis one
+day when both of them had been riding this same trail and Hollis had
+stopped off at the Hazelton cabin. Many times Norton smiled. He would
+have liked to refer to that conversation, but hesitated for fear of
+seeming to meddle with that which did not concern him. He remembered the
+days of his own courtship--how jealously he had guarded his secret.
+
+But the longer his thoughts dwelt upon the incident that had been
+related to him by Mrs. Norton the harder it became to keep silent. But
+he managed to repress his feelings for the first half hour and then,
+moved by an internal mirth that simply would not be held in check
+longer, he cackled aloud.
+
+He saw Hollis shoot a quick glance at him. He cackled again, his mirth
+swelling as he caught the surprised and puzzled expression of Hollis's
+face.
+
+"I have a very original opinion of people who laugh without any visible
+cause," remarked the latter, grinning reluctantly in the semi-darkness.
+
+Norton's reply was another cackle. They rode in silence for a long time.
+
+Then Norton spoke. "This is a great country," he said.
+
+Silence from Hollis, though taking a quick glance at him Norton again
+observed the puzzled grin on his face.
+
+"And original," he remarked, placing upon the latter word the same
+peculiar emphasis that Hollis had given it a moment before.
+
+Hollis grinned widely; he began to detect a subtle meaning in the range
+boss's speech and actions. But he did not answer; it would not strain
+his patience to await until such a time as Norton made his meaning
+clear.
+
+"But there's some things that ain't original," continued Norton in the
+same tone, after another short silence.
+
+This remark clearly required comment. Hollis grinned mildly. "Meaning
+what?" he questioned.
+
+Norton met his gaze gravely. "Meanin' that the ways of makin' love are
+pretty much the same in every country." He laughed. "I know there's
+different ways of makin' it--in books," he continued; "the folks which
+write books make their men an' women go at it all kinds of ways. But did
+you ever know anyone in real life to make love to a girl any different
+than anyone else?"
+
+"I have had no experience in love making," returned Hollis, puzzled
+again.
+
+Norton cackled. "No," he said, "an' that's the peculiar part of it.
+Mostly no one has ever had any experience when they start to makin' love
+the first time. But they all make it the same way. That's why it ain't
+original. You take a man which has got in love with a girl--any man. He
+don't want anyone to know that he's in love with her--he feels sorta
+sheepish about it. Goes around hangin' his head an' blushin', an' mostly
+not sayin' anything about it. Once he gets it into his system he ain't
+the same man any more. Takes to actin' reserved like an' gentle. But
+them that's had experience can see the symptoms. There ain't no way to
+hide it."
+
+Had Norton looked at Hollis now he might have observed a touch of red in
+the young man's face. But he did not look; he was watching the trail
+ahead, smiling broadly.
+
+They had been riding through a deep depression, going toward a ridge
+whose crest was fringed with dense, tangled shrubbery. Hollis was about
+to reply to Norton's remark when he saw the latter's lips suddenly
+straighten; saw his body stiffen as he drew himself erect in the saddle
+and pulled his pony abruptly up. Surprised, Hollis also reined in and
+sat silent, looking at Norton.
+
+The latter's hand went to one of his ears, the fingers spreading out,
+fan like. "Listen!" he warned sharply.
+
+Hollis had been listening. A low rumble greeted his ears. He looked
+suddenly upward at the sky, fearful that another storm, such as he had
+encountered months before, might be forming. But the sky was cloudless.
+He looked again at Norton. The latter's eyes shone brightly in the
+moonlight as he leaned toward Hollis. The rumbling had grown more
+distinct.
+
+"It ain't a stampede," said Norton rapidly; "there wouldn't be anything
+to stampede cattle on a night like this. An' them's cattle!"
+
+It was about a hundred yards to the ridge toward which they had been
+riding and Hollis saw Norton suddenly plunge the spurs into his pony's
+flanks; saw the animal rush forward. He gave his own animal the spurs
+and in an instant was at Norton's side, racing toward the ridge. The
+range boss dismounted at the bottom, swiftly threw the reins over his
+pony's head, and running stealthily toward the crest. Hollis followed
+him. When he reached Norton's side the latter was flat on a rim rock at
+the edge of a little cliff, behind some gnarled brush. Below them the
+country stretched away for miles, level, unbroken, basking in the
+moonlight. Hollis recognized the section as that through which he had
+traveled on the night he had been overtaken by the storm--the big level
+that led to Big Elk crossing, where he had met Dunlavey and his men that
+night.
+
+Looking out upon the plain he held his breath in amazement. During the
+time he had been at the Circle Bar he had seen cattle running, but never
+had he seen them run like this. About a quarter of a mile from the ridge
+on which he and Norton stood rose a dust cloud--moving swiftly. But
+ahead of the cloud, heads down, their horns tossing were a number of
+cattle, perhaps fifty, racing furiously. They were running parallel with
+the ridge and would probably pass it. Behind and flanking them raced
+several cowboys, silent, driving with their quirts.
+
+"Rustlers!" came Norton's voice from beside him. "They're headin' for
+Big Elk!"
+
+Hollis had brought his rifle, which he had carried since the attack on
+the night of the storm. At Norton's word he raised it. But Norton's hand
+touched his and his voice came again, sharply, commandingly.
+
+"Don't shoot!" he said. "It wouldn't do any good; some of them would get
+away. Mebbe they'll come close enough so's we can see who they are!"
+
+Hollis waited breathlessly. It seemed that but an instant had passed
+from the time he had caught a first glimpse of them until they were
+thundering by the ridge and he and Norton were blinded by the dust. They
+had gone before the dust settled, but through it as they passed, Hollis
+had caught sight of a familiar figure. Before the thunder of hoofs had
+died away Hollis felt Norton's hand on his arm and his voice in his ear.
+
+"Dunlavey!"
+
+There could be no doubt of that, for Hollis had recognized him also. He
+turned, to hear Norton's dry voice in his ear.
+
+"The new law don't seem to be botherin' Dunlavey a heap," he said.
+
+Hollis stepped boldly out on the ridge, his face grim and pale. But he
+was pulled back by Norton. "I take it you don't want to let them see
+you," he said. "When a thing like that comes off there's always somebody
+sure to be lookin' back." He was pulling at Hollis's arm, directing his
+steps down the slope toward where they had left the horses. "You an' me
+ain't enough," he was saying to Hollis; "we'll hit the breeze to the
+Circle Bar, get some of the boys, an' hustle back here an' take them
+cattle!"
+
+Hollis accompanied him willingly as far as the horses. Then he halted,
+his eyes flashing brightly. "We won't go to the Circle Bar," he said.
+"We won't fight them like that. There is a law in this country now and I
+am going to see that the law acts!" He seized Norton's arm in a firm
+commanding grip. "You follow them," he directed. "From the edge of the
+butte where they caught me on the night of the storm you can see the
+country for miles. Don't cross the river," he warned. "Stay there beside
+the butte until I come back--I won't be long. Watch where they take the
+cattle!"
+
+Before Norton could offer a word of objection he was on his pony and
+racing over the back trail at terrific speed. For a moment Norton
+watched him. Then he disappeared and Norton grimly mounted his pony and
+rode down to the level following the trail taken by the thieves.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+THE ARM OF THE LAW
+
+
+The lights in Dry Bottom's saloons were flickering brightly when Hollis
+rode down the street and dismounted from his drooping pony in front of
+the court house. He ran stiffly around the side of the building and
+knocked loudly on a door. There was a short silence and then a movement
+inside and Ben Allen stuck his head out of a window. He saw at a glance
+the upward turned face of the nocturnal visitor and called shortly:
+"Wait! I'll be down!"
+
+There was a short wait, during which Hollis impatiently paced back and
+forth and then Allen appeared in the door, fully dressed. Judge Graney,
+in a night shirt, stood behind him.
+
+"Something's up, of course," drawled Allen as he stepped down from the
+door, "or you wouldn't come around disturbing folks this way. What is
+it?"
+
+Hollis briefly related the events of the night, concluding with the
+statement that he was determined to force the law to act.
+
+"Correct!" laughed Allen. "She's got to act now." He caught Hollis's arm
+and turned him toward a small cottonwood grove about half a mile
+distant. A dozen white objects dotting the grove caught Hollis's gaze.
+He started.
+
+"Soldiers!" he exclaimed.
+
+"I might say that was a good guess," drawled Allen. "I sent for them
+because I thought I might need them if our friend Dunlavey got to
+cuttin' up any. It's been my experience that a detail of Uncle Sam's
+boys is about as good a thing to have around in case of trouble as any
+man could want."
+
+"But you can't use them in this case," remarked Judge Graney, who had
+stepped down beside the two men. "The governor's instructions were that
+they should be used merely as an instrument in enforcing the court's
+order regarding the sale of Dunlavey's cattle. The theft of the Circle
+Bar cattle is a matter which comes directly under the jurisdiction of
+the sheriff. If he refuses to act----"
+
+"Hell!" broke in Allen. "We know he won't do anything!"
+
+The Judge smiled slightly. "I suspect he won't," he said dryly. He
+winked at Hollis.
+
+"Being a judge in this district I am, of course, averse to advising any
+infractions of the law. But if I were not a judge I would suggest that
+two strong, energetic men--such as you appear to be----" He leaned
+forward and whispered in Allen's ear, whereat that gentleman let out a
+joyous whoop and almost dragged Hollis around the corner of the building
+toward the street, leaving the Judge standing in the doorway.
+
+Once on the street Allen set a pace that brought the two to the door of
+the sheriff's office quickly. A light shone through the window and when
+Allen opened the door Watkins was sitting beside his desk, gravely
+fumbling a deck of cards. He dropped them when he saw his visitors and
+made a quick movement with his right hand toward his revolver. But
+Allen's weapon was already out.
+
+"Bill," he said in a soft, even voice, "we're wantin' a warrant for the
+arrest of Bill Dunlavey. The charge is stealin' cattle. Of course you'll
+issue it," he added insinuatingly.
+
+Watkins's face slowly paled. "Why----" he began.
+
+"Of course I knowed you wouldn't do it when I asked you," said Allen
+with a dangerously soft smile. "That's why I come down here. This town's
+got a sheriff an' it ain't. I wouldn't care a damn if it didn't have
+you. There's lots of folks wouldn't care either. So that if you're one
+of them which does care you're settin' right still an' not sayin'
+anything which can be construed as talk till my friend here goes down to
+the station." He whispered to Hollis. "Be middlin' rapid," he said aloud
+afterward, "an' use my name." He turned to Watkins with a smile. "While
+we're waitin' I'll do some talkin'," he said. "But if you let out one
+little wee chirp them folks which don't care about you bein' sheriff of
+this man's town will sure have a heap of cause to rejoice."
+
+Hollis was already far down the street toward the station. When he got
+there the station was dark--evidently the agent had gone to bed. Hollis
+pounded heavily on the door and presently the agent opened it, appearing
+in his night shirt, a heavy six-shooter in hand, his eyes blinking.
+
+"My name is Hollis," said the latter from the darkness; "I want you to
+telegraph the governor."
+
+"Come in." The agent disappeared within, Hollis following. "This way,"
+he directed, as he disappeared through another door leading into the
+station, his night shirt flapping about his lean legs. "What you wantin'
+to telegraph?" he questioned, as he seated himself before the instrument
+and looked up at Hollis. And then, before the latter could answer he
+continued: "You're the durndest man to stir up a muss I ever, seen in my
+life!"
+
+Hollis smiled grimly as he seized a blank and wrote his message to the
+governor:
+
+    "Cattle thieves caught red-handed. Sheriff refuses to act.
+    Crisis. Suggest you appoint me temporarily.
+
+                                                    BEN ALLEN"
+
+The agent took the message, read it, and then monotonously began to drum
+on the keys of his instrument.
+
+Hollis found it impossible to sit still and so he nervously paced up and
+down the room during the sending of the message. The agent finished and,
+leaned his head sleepily on the table.
+
+"Ought to answer in half an hour--if he's home," he informed Hollis.
+Upon which Hollis slipped out of the door and returned down the street
+to the sheriff's office, peering within Watkins still sat at the table
+and in a chair near him lounged Allen, talking volubly. Hollis watched
+for a time and then returned to the station to find the agent asleep
+beside his instrument. Hollis had scarcely awakened him when the sounder
+began its monotonous ticking. He leaned over the agent's shoulder and
+read the governor's answer as the agent sleepily wrote it down.
+
+    "Ben Allen: You are hereby appointed sheriff of Union County in
+    place of W. Watkins, dismissed. Have Judge certify,"
+
+"I reckon there must be somethin' goin' on," remarked the agent. "What's
+the matter with Bill----"
+
+But Hollis had snatched the message from his hand and was out into the
+street in an instant and running down toward the sheriff's office. When
+he arrived there Allen was still talking. He passed the telegram to him
+and the latter rose to his feet and smiled at Watkins, shoving the
+message under his nose.
+
+"You can read her," he said. "Then you can go home an' quit
+sheriffin'--after I've got through with you. You've been called down to
+the court house. I'm takin' you, chargin' you with bein' an accessory
+before the fact, or somethin' like that. It don't make no difference
+what it is, you're goin' with me." His voice came sharp and chill:
+"Jump!"
+
+Judge Graney had dressed himself by the time the three arrived at the
+court house and Watkins was roughly tumbled into the room which had been
+set aside as the jail. Then the judge led Hollis and Allen into the
+court room where he issued Allen's certificate of appointment.
+
+"Now, I reckon we won't have no trouble in gettin' the soldiers," he
+grinned. "This sheriff is goin' to act!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+FORMING A FRIENDSHIP
+
+
+At three o'clock in the afternoon Hollis closed his desk and announced
+to Potter that he was going to the Circle Bar. Potter watched him with a
+fond smile as he went out the door and placed the saddle on his pony,
+mounted and rode into the sunshine of the afternoon. The presence of the
+troopers in town had created a sensation and most of the town's citizens
+were gathered about the court house, curiously watching Dunlavey and
+several of his men who had been taken into custody during the early
+hours of the morning. Neither Hollis or Norton had been allowed to
+participate in the final scene, the little captain informing them curtly
+that the presence of civilians at what promised to be a free-for-all
+fight was strictly forbidden. And so Norton had returned to the Circle
+Bar, while Hollis had gone to Dry Bottom to finish an article for the
+next issue of the _Kicker_.
+
+It had been in that bald, gray time between darkness and dawn when Ben
+Allen and Hollis, riding at the head of the detail of troopers beside
+the dapper little captain, had arrived at the edge of the butte where
+Hollis had directed Norton to await his coming.
+
+Norton's only comment upon seeing the troopers had been: "Where in hell
+did them come from?"
+
+He told Allen that he had watched where Dunlavey and his men had driven
+the cattle, and that he would find them concealed in a narrow defile
+between two hills about a mile on the other side of the Rabbit-Ear. He
+and Hollis had announced their intention to accompany the troop to the
+scene, but had been refused permission by the captain.
+
+The capture of the thieves had been quite a simple matter. In single
+file the troopers had descended the slope of the river, crossed a
+shallow, and clattered up the other side. A mile dash at a gallop had
+brought them to one end of the defile mentioned by Norton, and in a
+grove of fir-balsam the captain had deployed his troopers and swooped
+suddenly down into the defile, surprising several men, who with
+Dunlavey, were busily at work altering the brands on the cattle they had
+stolen. There was a fire near the center of the defile, with branding
+irons scattered about it.
+
+The stolen cattle bore various brands. There were perhaps a dozen
+belonging to the Circle Bar, several from the Pig Pen; others bore the
+brands of the Three Bar and the Diamond Dot.
+
+Proof of Dunlavey's guilt had been absolute. He had made some
+resistance, but had been quickly overpowered by Allen and the troopers.
+Then with their prisoners the troops had returned to Dry Bottom.
+
+Hollis rode slowly toward the Circle Bar. He was tired--dead tired. When
+he arrived at the Hazelton cabin the shade on the porch looked so
+inviting that he dismounted, tied his pony to one of the slender porch
+columns, and seated himself, leaning wearily against the column to which
+he had tied his pony.
+
+He sat there long, staring at a clump of nondescript weed that fringed
+the edge of the arroyo near the cabin, his thoughts filled with pictures
+of incidents that had occurred to him during his stay in the West.
+Nellie Hazelton appeared in every one of these pictures and therefore he
+smiled often.
+
+He had not liked the country when he had first come here; it had seemed
+to offer him no field for the pursuit of his ambition. Certainly the
+raising of cattle had never entered into his scheme of things. Yet he
+now realized that there was plenty of room in this country for success
+in this particular industry; all a man had to do was to keep up his end
+until the law came. And now the law had come and he had been partly
+responsible for its coming. The realization of this moved his lips into
+a grim smile.
+
+He filled and lighted his pipe, smoking placidly as he leaned against
+the slender column, his gaze shifting to a clump of dense shrubbery that
+skirted the trail within twenty feet of the cabin. He sat quiet, his
+long legs stretched out to enjoy the warmth of the sun that struck a
+corner of the porch floor. His pipe spluttered in depletion and he
+raised himself and looked around for his pony, observing that the animal
+was contentedly browsing the tops of some weeds at the edge of the
+porch. Then, resigning himself to the sensation of languor that
+oppressed him, he knocked the ash from the pipe, filled it again,
+lighted it, and resumed his former reclining position.
+
+During the past few days he had given much thought to Dunlavey. He was
+thinking of the man now, as his gaze went again to the clump of
+shrubbery that skirted the trail.
+
+Some men's mental processes were incomprehensible. Dunlavey was one of
+these men. What did the man hope to gain by defying the law? Would there
+not be profit enough in the cattle business when conducted honestly?
+
+He felt a certain contempt for the man, but mingled with it was a sort
+of grim pity. No doubt Dunlavey felt justified in his actions, for he
+had lived here a good many years, no doubt suffering the privations
+encountered by all pioneers; living a hard life, dealing heavy blows to
+his enemies, and receiving some himself. No doubt his philosophy of life
+had been of the peculiar sort practiced by the feudal barons of the Old
+World, before civilization had come, carrying its banner of justice,
+which, summed up epigrammatically, though ironically, had been "Might is
+Right." But might could never be right in this country. Dunlavey must
+learn this lesson; he could not hope to--!
+
+Hollis sat suddenly erect, putting aside his pipe and his ruminations at
+the same instant, the languor gone from him, his eyes narrowing coldly.
+
+For suddenly, from behind the shrubbery that skirted the edge of the
+trail, had appeared the man about whom he had been thinking! It was
+evident that he had not come upon Hollis unexpectedly. He reined in his
+pony and sat motionless in the saddle, his face white, his eyes alight
+with passion.
+
+For an instant neither man spoke. Hollis realized that the great moment
+for which he had waited many days had arrived. And it had arrived
+unexpectedly. It had arrived to find him tired after his activities of
+the night and in no condition for a fight. He drew a deep breath and got
+to his feet, a grim smile on his face. He stepped off the porch and
+stood by one of the columns, watching Dunlavey closely. As he watched
+the grim smile on his face slowly faded, his lips curled bitterly, his
+eyes chilled.
+
+"I suppose you've come to collect that thrashing?" he said.
+
+Dunlavey dismounted quickly, his right hand flew to his holster, drawing
+his revolver. He came toward Hollis crouching, a cold, merciless glitter
+in his eyes.
+
+"Yes, you tenderfoot ---- ----." he snarled.
+
+                   *       *       *       *       *
+
+From the moment of Hollis's arrival at the court house the night before
+Ben Allen had been constantly in action. It was late in the morning when
+he had returned to the court house with his prisoners. The men who had
+been captured with Dunlavey were still with the troopers, there not
+being sufficient room at the court house for them. Watkins had been
+released and Dunlavey had taken his place in the little room that
+answered for a jail. Shortly before noon Allen proceeded to the station,
+where he telegraphed to the governor the story of the capture. He had
+then deputized a dozen punchers and sent them to the Circle Cross to
+round up a thousand of Dunlavey's cattle and hold them until the late
+afternoon when, according to Allen's published program, they were to be
+sold to the highest bidder. Then, tired and hungry, Allen sought the
+Alhambra and ate a hearty meal.
+
+Dry Bottom was swarming with visitors that had come in for the sale. But
+by the time Allen had finished eating the exodus had begun. The trail
+leading to the Circle Cross ranch was dotted with probable bidders,
+curiosity seekers, idlers, and mere residents of the town. Now that the
+law had come there were many who discovered that their sympathies had
+always been with the men who had championed it. Allen found his way to
+the court house strewn with men who halted him to express their good
+will. Many people gathered in front of the _Kicker_ office, eager
+for a glimpse of Hollis. Those who gathered there before twelve-thirty
+saw him seated at his desk, tall, angular, serious of face, absolutely
+unaffected by this thing which had caused a sensation. Passing the
+_Kicker_ office on his way to the court house, Allen had paused to
+look within and shout a greeting to him. Then he had continued on his
+way.
+
+Arriving at the court house Allen looked in at Dunlavey to find him
+lying on the floor, apparently asleep. Allen did not disturb him. He
+went out, threw the saddle on his pony, and rode over to the grove where
+the soldiers were quartered, talking long with the captain. At two
+o'clock he returned to the court house to be greeted with the news that
+Dunlavey had escaped. Allen did not stop to inquire how the escape had
+been accomplished. He remounted his pony and raced down to the
+_Kicker_ office, fearing that Dunlavey had gone there. Potter
+informed him that his chief had departed for the Circle Bar fully an
+hour and a half before. He had taken the Coyote trail--Potter had
+watched him.
+
+Allen wheeled his pony and returned to the court house. He was met at
+the door by Judge Graney. The latter's face was white and drawn with
+fear.
+
+"He's gone to kill Hollis!" the judge told him through white, set lips.
+"I heard him threaten Hollis this morning and a moment ago a man told me
+that he had seen Dunlavey, not over half an hour ago, riding out the
+Coyote trail at a dead run!"
+
+Allen's own face whitened. He did not stop to answer but drove the spurs
+deep into his pony's flanks and rode furiously down the street toward a
+point near the _Kicker_ office where he struck the trail.
+
+The distance to the Circle Bar ranch was ten miles and Dunlavey had a
+good half hour's start! He fairly lifted his pony over the first mile,
+though realizing that he could not hope to arrive at the Circle Bar in
+time to prevent Dunlavey from carrying out his design to kill Hollis.
+No, he told himself as he rode, he could not prevent him from killing
+Hollis, should he catch the latter unprepared, but he promised himself
+that Dunlavey should not escape punishment for the deed.
+
+He had had some hope that Dunlavey would accept his defeat
+philosophically. The latter was not the only man he had seen who had
+been defeated by the law. Over in Colfax County and up in Wyoming he had
+dealt with many such men, and usually, after they had seen that the law
+was inevitable, they had resigned themselves to the new condition and
+had become pretty fair citizens. He had imagined that Dunlavey would
+prove to be no exception, that after the first sting of defeat had been
+removed he would meet his adversaries half way in an effort to patch up
+their differences. The danger was in the time immediately following the
+realization of defeat. A man of the Dunlavey type was then usually
+desperate.
+
+So Allen communed with himself as he rode at a head-long pace down the
+Coyote trail, risking his neck a dozen times. Not once since he had left
+Dry Bottom had he considered his own danger.
+
+He had been riding more than half an hour, and was coming up out of a
+little gully when he came upon a riderless pony, and close by it,
+browsing near a clump of shrubbery, another. He recognized one of them
+instantly as Dunlavey's, and his teeth came together with a snap. He
+rode closer to the other pony, examining it. On one of its hips was a
+brand--the Circle Bar. Allen's face whitened again. He had arrived too
+late. But he would not be too late to wreak vengeance upon Dunlavey.
+
+He dismounted and cautiously approached the brush at the side of the
+trail. Parting it, he saw the roof of a cabin. He recognized it; he had
+passed it a number of times during his exploration of the country. He
+drew back and crept crept farther along in the brush, certain that he
+would presently see Dunlavey. But he had not gone very far when he heard
+voices and he cautiously parted the brush again and peered through.
+
+He started back in surprise, an incredulous grin slowly appearing on his
+face. The incredulity changed to amusement a moment later--when he heard
+Hollis's voice!
+
+The young man was seated on the edge of the porch--smoking a pipe! Near
+him, seated on a flat rock, his face horribly puffed out, with several
+ugly gashes disfiguring it, his eyes blackened, his clothing in tatters,
+one hand hanging limply by his side, the fingers crushed and bleeding,
+was Dunlavey! Near him, almost buried in the sand, was a revolver.
+Allen's smile broadened when he saw Dunlavey's empty holster. Evidently
+he had met with a surprise!
+
+While taking in these details Allen had not forgotten to listen to
+Hollis as the latter talked to Dunlavey. Apparently Hollis had about
+finished his talk, for his voice was singularly soft and even, and
+Dunlavey's almost comical air of dejection could not have settled over
+him in an instant.
+
+"... and so of course I had to thrash you--you had it coming to you. You
+haven't been a man--you've acted like a sneak and a cur all through this
+business. You made a thrashing inevitable when you set Yuma on Nellie
+Hazelton. You'll have plenty of marks to remind you of the one you gave
+me that night." He pointed to his cheek. "I've got even for that. But I
+think I wouldn't have trimmed you quite so bad if you hadn't tried to
+shoot me a few minutes ago."
+
+He puffed silently at his pipe for a short time, during which Dunlavey
+sat on the rock and squinted pathetically at him. Then he resumed:
+
+"I've heard people talk of damned fools, but never, until I met you,
+have I been unfortunate enough to come into personal contact with one. I
+should think that when you saw the soldiers had come you would have
+surrendered decently. Perhaps you know by now that you can't fight the
+United States Army--and that you can't whip me. If you've got any sense
+left at all you'll quit fighting now and try your best to be a good
+citizen."
+
+He smiled grimly as he rose from the porch and walked to where Dunlavey
+sat, standing over him and looking down at him.
+
+"Dunlavey," he said, extending his right hand to the beaten man, "let's
+call it quits. You've been terribly worked up, but you ought to be over
+it now. You ought to be able to see that it doesn't go. I've thrashed
+you pretty badly, but you and your men used me up pretty well that night
+and so it's an even thing. Let's shake and be friends. If you show signs
+of wanting to be a man again I'll withdraw the charge of cattle
+stealing which I have placed against you, and I imagine I won't have any
+trouble in inducing Allen to call off that auction sale and accept
+settlement of the claim against you."
+
+Until now Dunlavey had avoided looking at the outstretched hand. But now
+he looked at it, took it and held it for an instant, his bruised and
+swollen face taking on an expression of lugubrious self-pity.
+
+"I reckon I've got it in the neck all around," he said finally. "But I
+ain't no squealer and I've got----" His gaze met Hollis's and his eyes
+gleamed with a reluctant admiration. "By God, you're white! I reckon you
+could have tore the rest of me apart like you did my hand." He held up
+the injured member for inspection.
+
+Allen's grin could grow no broader, and now he showed his increased
+satisfaction with a subdued cackle. He backed stealthily out of the
+shrubbery, taking a final glance at the two men. He saw Hollis leading
+Dunlavey toward a small water hole at the rear of the cabin; saw him
+bathing Dunlavey's injured hand and binding it with his handkerchief.
+
+Then Allen proceeded to his pony, mounted, and departed for the court
+house to tell Judge Graney the news that kept his own face continually
+in a smile.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+AFTERWARD
+
+
+From Razor-Back ridge the big basin spread away to the Blue Peak
+mountains. On the opposite side of the ridge began the big plain on
+which, snuggled behind some cottonwood trees, were the Circle Cross
+buildings. From where Hollis and Nellie Hazelton sat on the ridge they
+could look miles down the Coyote trail, into Devil's Hollow; could see
+the two big cottonwood trees that stood beside Big Elk crossing, above
+which, on the night of the storm, Hollis had been attacked by Dunlavey's
+men. Back on the stretch of plain above the basin they could make out
+the Circle Bar buildings, lying close to the banks of the river.
+
+It was in the late afternoon and the sun had gone down behind the Blue
+Peaks, though its last rays were just touching the crest of the ridge
+near Hollis and Nellie. He had called her attention to the sinking sun,
+telling her that it was time they started for the Circle Bar.
+
+"Wait," she said; "someone is coming up the Coyote trail. I have been
+watching him for ten minutes."
+
+Hollis faced the trail and watched also. In a quarter of an hour the
+horseman came out of Devil's Hollow. Hollis and Nellie could see him
+plainly as he guided his pony around the huge boulders that filled the
+place. Hollis smiled whimsically.
+
+"It's the poet," he told Nellie, catching her gaze and grinning widely
+at her. "I sent him to Dry Bottom this noon for the mail--Potter is
+going to stay in town over night."
+
+For an instant it seemed that Ace would not see them, and Hollis rose
+from the rock on which he had been sitting and halloed to him. He
+responded with a shout and urged his pony up the steep side of the slope
+and then along the crest until he came within a few feet of where they
+sat. He dismounted and came forward, grinning broadly.
+
+"Takin' the view?" he questioned. His eyes twinkled. "Sometimes there's
+a heap of poetry could be got out of this county. But--" and his
+eyelashes flickered slightly--"a fellow's got to be in the right frame
+of mind to get it out. I reckon you two----"
+
+"I suppose you got the mail?" interrupted Hollis, grimacing at him.
+
+"I sure did," returned the poet, "one letter. I reckon the blacksmith'll
+be kickin' because I've been galivantin' around the country for one
+letter. Here it is." He passed an envelope to Hollis, and the latter,
+with a quick glance at the legend in the upper left hand corner, tore it
+open and read. It was from Weary.
+
+    Dear boss i got cleaned out agin what did you send me a hundred
+    dollars for you might have knowed that id make a gol darned fool
+    of myself with so much coin i never could keep no coin no how
+    but its all right anyway cause me an eds comin home tomorrow eds
+    all right except bein a littel week which the doc says he git
+    over in a littel while.
+
+                                                        ta ta.
+                                                              WEARY
+
+    P.S. i might have telegraphed but ed says it dont make no
+    difference cause the letter will git there quick enough any way
+    an hes afraid a telegram will scare some one. im dam glad i got
+    a return ticket.
+
+                                                              WEARY
+
+After reading the letter Hollis passed it over to Nellie, watching her,
+his eyes alight with satisfaction.
+
+"Oh!" she said. "Oh!" The letter dropped from her hand, was caught by
+the breezes and swirled several feet distant. Ace sprang to recover it.
+When he turned, the letter in hand, he saw something that brought a huge
+grin of sympathy to his face. But mingled with the sympathy was another
+emotion.
+
+"Boss," he said, as Hollis, disengaging himself, turned and faced him,
+"I've writ quite a nice little thing on 'Love.' Mebbe you'd like to----"
+
+He caught Hollis's frown and immediately retreated to his pony, his grin
+broadening as he went. He cackled with mirth as Hollis's voice reached
+him.
+
+"Ace," he said gravely, "don't attempt to write a poem on 'Love' until
+you've had some experience."
+
+"You havin' yours now?" insinuated Ace, as he mounted his pony.
+
+He alone caught Hollis's reply. It was an expressive wink.
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Coming of the Law, by Charles Alden Seltzer
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