United States or Belize ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Mebbe," replied the cowboy, as he sheathed the big gun. "Neale. I'm used to what you ain't. Shore I can see death a-comin'. Wal, every day the outfit grows wilder. A little whisky 'll burn hell loose along this heah U.P. line." Larry strode on in the direction Shurd had taken. Neale pondered a moment, perplexed, and grateful to his comrade.
He struck Shurd a blow that staggered him, and would have followed it up with more had not the man, suddenly furious, plunged away to pick up a heavy stake with which he made at Neale to brain him. Neale could not escape. He yelled at Shurd, trying to intimidate him. Then came a shot from behind. It broke Shurd's arm. The stake fell and the man began to bawl curses.
Shurd, passing through the camp, either drunk or unusually surly, had kicked Neale's instrument out of his way. Some one saw him do it and told Neale. Thereupon Neale, in high dudgeon, had sought out the fellow. Larry King, always Neale's shadow, came slouching after with his cowboy's gait. They found Shurd at the camp of the teamsters and other laborers. Neale did not waste many words.
"Get out of heah!" called Larry King, advancing slowly. The maddened Shurd tried to use the broken arm, perhaps to draw on King. Thereupon the cowboy, with gun low and apparently not aiming, shot again, this time almost tearing Shurd's arm off. Then he prodded Shurd with the cocked gun. The man turned ghastly. He seemed just now to have realized the nature of this gaunt flaming-eyed cowboy.
"Shore your mind ain't workin'," said Larry. "Get out of heah. Mozey over to thet camp doctor or you'll never need one." Shurd backed away, livid and shaking, and presently he ran. "Red! ..." expostulated Neale. "You you shot him all up! You nearly killed him." "Why in hell don't you pack a gun?" drawled Larry. "Red, you're you're I don't know what to call you. I'd have licked him, club and all."
The first happened in camp. There was a surly stake-driver by the name of Shurd who was lazy and otherwise offensive among hard- working men. Having been severely handled by Neale, he had nursed a grievance and only waited for an opportunity for revenge. Neale was quick-tempered, and prone to sharp language and action when irritated or angered.
Word Of The Day