The Willamina times., August 15, 1935, Page 7, Image 7

TIMES. WILLAMINA, OREGON
Thursday, August 15, 1935
Page 5
Winter Range
By ALAN LE MAY
Copyright by Altn
Bill McCord stared again, hesitated.
ms Interest. On the wall of this house dragged the sheriff after blm to the
Yes,” Hopper admitted, " I was look
Then
he laughed shortly. “That’s a lie,”
■«.•d to be a chromo— an enlarged snap- door.
lug for It all right; but when It com'
he decided. “T h at’s a lie from the
"What
are
you
going
to
do?
Y«”
’ve
tiot—of
a
man
sitting
on
a
horse.
to killing Mason—’’
“Com« on In. If you want to, Bob,”
Vou'd look across the room at that tit­ got the case worse scattered out now ground up! Neither me nor Elliot had
"He was a right ambitious victim.
anything to do with any of thia.”
Kentucky said. “You might Just as well
le picture, and you’d say to yourself. than— "
Kentucky agreed; "but there were big
“So be It," said Kentucky. “Floyd,
alt In on thia.”
Why, Campo has bung up » lens study
“Then we’ll try to tie it together
reasons for killing blm, too. When you
Elliot accepted, following aa Ken­
bring In Elliot. Or, here— I ’ll bring
<
>
f
Bob
E
llio
t’
Then
maybe
you’d
look
again.
Here’s
where
we
tackle
Bill
build up pressure like that you can
tucky led the way through the main
him myself.” He flashed a malignant
figure on an explosion. But It was closer; and you'd see It wasn't Bob McCord I I t ’s the turn, lt'a the break,
living room to a little room at one
grin at McCord, and went onL
Elliot
at
a
ll—but
a
representation
of
you
hear
me?
I
’ve
got
to
run
a
bluff.
the gun smoke In the history, and the
aide.
»
Behind blm Hopper said to bis dep­
Are you backing me or not?”
pressure of the bad times, that wiped John Mason.”
Thia room was small, and Its gun-
uty,
“Watch this guy, W illie !” He fol­
Sheriff
Hopper
said,
“You
mean—
" I’m backing you."
out John Mason—and Incidentally
racka and deer horna mnde It seem
you're saying—"
“Give me the gun that killed San­ lowed Kentucky Jones.
Zack Sanders."
smaller, as If there were hardly room
“Bob Elliot knew that sometimes, sit­ ders.”
Kentucky and the sheriff paused for
"And Jim Humphreys and I-ee Bish­
for the three men to find places here.
whispered conference beyond the
ting
his
horse
In
a
certain
way
and
at
Floyd
Hopper
obeyed,
and
Kentucky
Kentucky Jones could not look at this op,” the sheriff put In.
a certain distance, be and John Mason Jones stuck It In bis waistband. “Come door.
"That’s partly true," Kentucky al­
trophy-cluttered room, which gave a
looked strangely alike; and Campo had on!"
“By G— d, Jones,” said the sheriff.
curious effect of being a cross section lowed; “the killing of Humphreys and promised to kill Elliot that day. Elliot
" I believe that guy knows something.**
Three
pairs
of
eyes
turned
upon
of Campo Itagland'a soul, without Bishop sure do moke up an angle of knew that Campo did not dare to take Kentucky Jones and Floyd Hopper as
“O f course he knows something,”
thinking of that other contrasting room this thing. It took two things to kill a chance on what a jury might make they came Into the kitchen. In the Kentucky said irritably.
off
Humphreys
and
Bishop—
the
smoky
at the other end of the house, which
out of that.”
But he got through the loop on
room from which they had come, all
belonged to Jean's mother. So differ feeling between the brands before Ma­
“You’re suggesting that Campo Rag­ four men had been arm ed; and to ac­ you,’’ Hopper said. “H e’s too cool and
ent must have been the people that son's death, and Mason's death Itself. land killed Mason by mistake, taking customed bad they become to the sag­ tough to stampede. You've played your
mnde those rooms that the wonder was Humphreys and Bishop were killed In him for E llio t r
ging gun belts aa standard equipment ace, and never took a trick. W hat are
not that Mrs. Itagland was now far the weirdest d—n one-sided range
“I'm suggesting that It could be made In the last few days that here it was you going to do now?’
away, but that abe had ever been struggle that has ever been seen on to look that way; end that Elliot was
Ted Baylor and Bill McCord, who were
“Lead the Jack,’’ aald Kentucky, un­
able to make herself a part of this this or any other range.”
able to bold that over Campo— and that unarmed, who looked unusual and sus­ perturbed. Aa be moved on to the room
The
sheriff
said
slowly.
"Mason's
household at alL
was why Elliot dared swamp Bar Hook picious now. Floyd Hopper was flushed where Campo was bolding Bob Elliot
Campo eat In a corner. His heavy death comes first But don't you ever range.”
and sharp-eyed; but though It was to he no longer believed that be conld
desk was pulled diagonally across In think, Elliot, that I've forgotten the
“You mean that he ran a bluff that Hopper the eyes of the three waiting lose.
front of him, as If he were at bay funuy look of this so-called range war he could bring Ragland to trial for the men turned, it was Kentucky Jones
A dissension was beginning In the
there, futllely barricaded. From beneath that's rubbed out Humphreys and Bish­ murder of Mason?“
who spoke, bis face as unpleasantly little room where Campo was presid­
op.
Everybody
knows
you’ve
swamped
the sweeping dome of bis forehead
“You can call It a bluff." said Ken­ cold and ugly aa Ice on broken rock.
ing over the now conscious E llio t Jean
his eyes regarded them aa redly as the Campo's range; and Campo'a hardly tucky Jones, looking at Bob Elliot, “or
He
showed
Bill
McCord
the
gun
that
and Campo did not appear to have
eyes of a dog In firelight Suddenly raised his hand against I t 1*11 tell you you could call It a kind of allent black­
bad killed Sanders— the gun that had moved; but the boas of tbe 88 was sit­
Kentucky wondered If Campo'a evident plain, Elliot, If It turns out that Rlsh
mail, If you want."
been in Sanders’ hand as Lee Bishop ting up in a chair. He leaned forward,
sense of standing stubbornly at bay op and Humphreys were killed In the
Bob Elliot Jerked forward In hla
bis bands gripping the arms, and glow­
had been caused more by himself and kind of shenanlgnn It looks like. I l l —" chair as If be would come to hla feet found him dead.
“I
don't
suppose,”
he
said
to
Mc­
ered
at Ragland with eyes that
Bob Elliot reddened. "I didn't come "Why, d—n your eyes," he said, “If you
Sheriff Hopper than by the now far-
Cord, “you ever saw thia gun before?" seemed not quite able to focus accu­
off woman who had made him fear a here to talk about range rights,” he think I'm going to alt here and take— "
Bill McCord seemed to consider for rately. “Put down that gun,” he was
ahowdown upon Mason's death—so fear said, “but If you want a showdown
“You'll alt there," Kentucky Jones
a long moment. “Maybe I have,” he saying. "There’s no d— n—” He checked
It that he was held In a paralysis of on that. I'm ready any time. As long said coolly, “and you'll take I t and
said at last; "and maybe I haven't”
aa Kentucky and the sheriff appeared.
Indecision while Jim Humphreys was as there's been cattle on the rim, or you’ll like I t You’ll take It because
“Would you care to say where It
"Tell him,” Kentucky whispered side­
killed, and Lee Bishop, and the 88 on the Bake l ’an either, no brand has you're yellow, clear down to the roots.
was when you saw It last?”
long to Hopper, “he’s under arres t”
ever leaned any harder against another And you haven't forgotten the night
herds poured over his range.
A humorless grin twisted one side of
“You're under arrest E llio t” said
In the shadows of a recessed win­ brand than the Bar Hook has borne I knocked you kicking and squalling. In McCord's face. “You go to h—h” be
the sheriff.
down on the 88. If Campo's pulled In the sheriff's office at Waterman.”
dow- seat Jean Itagland sat
answered.
“Tell him," Kentucky prompted,
Bob Elliot's face went white, and hla
Sheriff Hopper said, "Howdy, Cam bis horns, maybe It's because he knows
Kentucky Jones eyed blm sorrow “ 'McCord has spilled the beans.’ "
that the rights of the 88 are going eyes took on a squinting slant Hla fully. “Is that final?” be said.
po; howdy, .Miss Itagland."
“McCord has spilled the beans,” the
Carntm flicked him a glance, then to be backed .up for a change."
“You bet your life It's final!”
sheriff repeated to Elliot with convinc­
Campo England s;>oke for the first
dropiied surly red eyes to his thick
“I'm sorry for this," Kentucky said.
time. "Rights!"
he said bitterly.
freckle-blotched hands.
“I swear to heaven, 1 believe there's ing emphasis.
Bob Elliot stared at them vaguely
Kentucky Jones began the makltig "Rights r
going to be an Injustice done. I was
for
a full quarter of a minute. “I don’t
Sheriff
Floyd
Hopper
said
angrily.
of a cigarette. “Seems like wo been a
afraid of this I But this McCord Is
little bit disorganized out here. Hop­ “You're u funny one, Elliot, to bring In
man who means what he says. Floyd; know what you’re talking about,” be
per.” he said. “The fact la Campo and talk about rights!"
If be won’t talk he won't talk. I guess said finally.
Kentucky nudged Hopper, but this
“You said yourself," Elliot nnswered.
I haven't seen eye to eye on this. In
there's nothing to do but follow up
“the Bar Hook has folded up."
all things.”
what Elliot says—don't It look that time the sheriff did not wait for his
whispered instructions. For tbe first
They all turned their eyes to Campo
way to you?"
Sheriff Floyd Hopper waited; and
time. Hopper seemed ready to go for­
Ragland;
but
the
boss
of
the
Bar
Hook
Floyd
Hopper
had
no
more
Idea
of
Bob Elliot crossed his legs and laced
was rolling a cigarette with slow metic­
what Jones was talking about than did ward under his own power. “You’re
his fingers together.
McCord. But he was a poker player, charged with murder, Elliot,” he said.
" It seems," said Kentucky, "that ulous care, and he did not contribute
and a good one; and he had been In "McCord has told it all.”
Campo became convinced that I did any observations.
Sheriff Floyd Hop;»er swung restive­
Elliot stared at the sheriff for a
office for a long time. “It sure looks
awny with Old Ironsides myself."
ly In bis sent. ”1 can't understand It,"
long moment more. " I’ll talk to Mc­
that way," he said.
There was a sharp silence here dur
Kentucky Jones said, “You're under Cord," be said at last, his voice harsh.
lug which Kentucky Jones finished and be said. “I can't understand It.”
“ You'll understand It now," said
"Let me talk to McCord.”
arrest, McCord.”
lighted hla cigarette. Hopper turned a
For a moment no one spoke. A hard
"I should say not,” said the sheriff.
questioning gin nee on Campo. "Yes?" Kentucky Jones. "I can tell you exact­
gleam came Into Bill McCord's eyes.
“1 should say yes,” said Kentucky
Itagland glanced at Kentucky Jones ly why Elliot has thought he could
“Who
says
so?”
he
demanded.
Jones.
“McCord s In the kitchen, Elliot.
shove
his
beef
nil
over
Bar
Hook
range
but did not speak.
Once more the sheriff, completely In Just step this way.” He pushed the
In full peace nqd comfort.”
“Everybody's known all along," Ken
the dark as he was, backed Kentucky's sheriff ahead of him. Bob Elliot fol­
Bob Elliot said, “If the idea Is to sit
tucky said, "that 1 was nut here at
play gamely. “I say so." be told Mc­ lowed. Campo trailed along; but Jean
the Bar Hook Just before snow flew on here half the— "
Cord.
stayed where she was.
"Let
him
alone.
Bob,”
Hopper
the day Muson was killed; and I've
“Personally,” said Kentucky, “ I don’t
“Here's your friend. McCord," said
admitted lb Assuming for a minute snapped.
think you’re guilty. Bill. I’ll admit I Kentucky. “Ix>ok him over— and ask
Kentucky
Jones
looked
Elliot
over
that 1 could easily have got hold of
was kind of hoping that we had closed yourself what you’ve been depending
the weapon that killed Mason, the nest with a cool unfriendly eye. " I’ll tell you
in on bigger game. Still, I suppose we on, all this time.”
another
little
thing
that
happened
the
thing needed against me was my rea­
ought to be glad that we can hang this
fro BE CONTINUED)
day
Mason
wns
killed,"
be
said.
"Bob
son for this act of unseemly violence.
There Was a Ringing Crack.
on anybody at all. I guess we better
Elliot
nnd
Campo
England
were
rid­
Campo found out where I did have a
tell yon that anything you say will be D iffere n c e in M o n k e y ,
good renson—and naturally figured ing the Bake Ban jrange; and It hap­ lower lip dropped loose away frpm his used against you. McCord.”
pened
that
they
met
on
that
ride."
teeth. “Why, you—"
H u m a n H ands and Feet
that he’d come to the end of the trail."
Bill McCord spat Into the wood box.
“Where did you get this?” Hopper
“Yellow,” Kentucky repeated, “clear
“ You admit you had a reason for
Though we are scarcely ever aware
“What
am
1
charged
with?”
he
de­
put In.
down to the roots."
killing Mason?" Hopper said.
of It, our thumbs are very important
manded.
“Partly," Kentucky said, "from E l­
An irthrtlculate blasphemy strangled
"I'm not denying that I had," said
to the usefulness of our hands. And
"The
murder
of
Lee
Bishop."
said
,
In Elliot's throat Sheriff Floyd Hopper
Kentucky. “Come to find out, that was liot himself.”
there Is no surer way of being con­
Kentucky.
Elliot
said.
“I'll
be
d—d
If—"
made a clutch at Elliot’s belt but
one of the reasons that Campo Itag­
vinced of this than to go to some zoo
McCord's
face
hardened,
but
he
went
"W ill you be still?" said Sheriff Hop- missed his hold, as Elliot sprang at
land wanted Ted Baylor brought out
back to the making of his cigarette. and watch the hands and feet of mon­
t>er.
“What
then.
Jones?"
Kentucky Jones like a quirted horse.
here. Ted Is one of the very few thnt
“In the first place," he said, "I wasn't keys, asserts a writer In the S t Louis
"Elliot was armed; Campo Ragland
know that Mason turned me down on
Kentucky hunched low,then straight­ anywhere near it. And In the second Globe-Democrat.
a renewal that I'd counted on—and wns not. It seems to be a kind of cus­ ened out the whole length of his body place It wasn't np murder. Lee Bishop
The interesting thing about the hu­
tom with the 88 to take advantage of a behind his left hand. There was a ring
like to broke me."
man thumb Is that It Is faced toward
was
kihed
In
a
fair
stand-up
fight."
situation like that—as l-ee Bishop »nd ing crack, as If a bone had broken,
“You’re broke, Jones?"
“Tha* lie Is plumb useless." said Ken­ the other fingers and can meet each
I found out one day In a little con and an instunt's confused tangle. Then
“Close to lb”
tucky
contemptuously, “because I was them, tip to tip. It gives our hands a
"You sure are free-handed about vcrsntlon we had with BUI McCord. Rob Elliot k # s lying on his back, with l.ee Bishop when he was kilted. decided advantage, for instance, over
Naturally I wasn’t there when Ragland breathing hoarsely, staring at the cell
making a case against yourself!”
Bishop wns knocked out of the sad­ the paws of animals. In nearly ail of
“Campo was overlooking a couple of and Elliot m et; but I can tell you that Ing with blank eyes; and Kentucky dle with a rifle shot, by a man hidden which the thumb-claw Is no more use­
things," said Kentucky. "It's true thnt what happened was this— Elliot gnve Jones stood over him. nursing his left In the rocks three hundred yards ful than our own big toes are.
you can show I was broke by Mnjon. Ragland such a cussing out ns you hand in his right.
But the feet of monkeys are unique
away; and the slug that killed him
But what about all those other ow- couldn't expect any man to stand for,
Hopper said in a low exasperated was poured Into hint after he was down among animals. The monkey’s big toe
men that Mason hud to close dowa^on? or put up with.”
voice. “ You baited him Into that. and helpless, and I was carrying him is placed as conveniently ns our own
“ Is that right. Cumpo?" the sheriff
* To those meu Mason's decisions meant
Jones!"
to cover. And m.v story Is proved by thumbs. And some monkeys have
snlvatlon or ruin—exactly as to me. detna uded.
“I was counting on his temper,’’ Ken
the nntuce of Bishop's wounds. Fair handy thumbs as well as convenient,
Campo Ragland gnve a grunt which
He could not carry us all. In digging
tucky said. “Lord. 1 thought It would tight, h—I! That's murder—you hear big. thtunh-like toes. They thus have,
up a renson for me to kill Mason, might have lu-en an affirmative; it did never break."'
practically speaking, four hands with
me?"
Campo only dug up a motive that forty not appear to be a denial.
, Hopper’s voice rose angrily, " if you
McCord stared at Jones. Ids face which to grasp the boughs of trees.
“Campo Ragland," said Kentucky
or tlfty rlmrock cowmen would own
American monkeys differ from their
got me out here to make fools of us immobile. At last he shook his head,
Jones, "told Bob Elliot that be would
to.”
African relatives in several ways.
puzzled. “I take all that to be free
all—”
" I see what you're driving at," said kill him before the day wns nut."
They have 24 teeth instead of 20.
"Shut up,” Kentucky snap|>ed at him. nand lying. If you was with Bishop,
"He's guessing now," said Bob Elliot.
Hopper. "Maybe Mason did have such
They have no cheek pouches for stor­
"we've got work to do. I —”
you’d know thnt I wasn't there."
“Yes, guessing," conceded Kentucky
an enemy, or six of them, or tlfty ; the
"He was shot from cover, I told you. ’ ing food. They usually have long and
“You’ve talked all around and about,
tlfty of them weren’t having no barbe­ Jones.
and over the bush,” Hopper said bit­ Kentucky said. "1 didn't see his killer. useful tails, whereas some of the Old
Campo Ragland said unexpectedly.
cue at the Bar Hook the day Mason
terly. "And you end up with nothing I could never have named yon as the world monkeys are without tails. And
“Yes, by U—d—but he's guessing
wns killed."
man— If Bob Elliot hadn’t lost his they are tamer and more playful than
more to the point than a cheap brawl
"So I gathered," Kentucky admitted. right I"
their African cousins.
guts."
You've
wasted
enough
words
to—
”
Kentucky Jones nodded. “Sure I’m
“But bear In mind this— If any one of
The tails of African monkeys are
“Elliot? Him lose his guts’"' McCord
“Not
one
single
word,"
Kentucky
von
the fifty had Iteen there, he might have guessing right! Up here In the Frying tradlcted blm. “1 had to go all over repeated Incredulously. “That's a hot of little use in swinging from tree to
gun-whipped Mason. There's been an Ban country there’s an old lion hunter that so that you would understand one!”
tree, but the tail of the American mon­
awful lot of wearing of guns In the called Old Man Coffee; nnd he says—’ what Is going to happen—whut I hope
Kentucky Jones shrugged. "1 heard key Is as good as another arm would
"To h—I with Old Man Coffee,” said
rlmrock the past ten, twelve months,
is going to happen now. Campo! Hold different," he said significantly. “Mc­ he. or better.
the
sheriff. "What happened then?”
what with riders hoping for a chance
Cord, If you’ve got anything to say for
“Just at the moment," said Ken­ this range hog here when lie comes
to shoot a coyote, or a rabbit—with
Danish Children Musical
yourself you sure better talk. I tell
to—
put
a
gun
on
him
If
you
need
to.
a .45 slug I Cowmen’s minds can work tucky Jones, “1 can't tell you exactly
Every Danish child Is given a mo
you, Elliot’s gone out from under you.
“All right."
what
happened
then;
but
I
can
tell
that way only about so long before
steal education
Jones caught Hopper's arm and you foolI”
you something difereut, of a very curl-
somethlns bolls over and busts.”
CHAPTER XII—Continued
—15—
4