Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 7, 2025
The bandit had traveled fast and he had kept steadily to the eastward. This last was what caused Rathburn to smile with satisfaction. The man for whose crime Rathburn was suspected was heading straight for Rathburn's own stamping ground the far-distant desert range, which he knew from the low horizon in the south to the white-capped peaks in the north.
Both man and dog went supperless that night the man inside the cabin before a roaring fire; the dog outside in the cheerless dark before a fast-closed door whither his master had promptly consigned him. Gradually as the days passed there came still another change in the life at the cabin. Rathburn's step became slow, and his cheeks sunken.
"I guessed it," said Rathburn in a tone of contempt. "Well, you better slope while you've still got a chance." He motioned to the man to go, and the latter rode at a gallop up the arroyo and out of sight. Rathburn's face wore a worried scowl, as he slid his gun into its holster, whirled his horse, and speedily climbed the east side of the arroyo.
"You needn't be lookin' around," Rathburn said coldly. "You're goin' to stay here till you answer my question, if all the sheriffs in Arizona come ridin' up meanwhile. Who's headin' your gang?" "That ain't professional," the fugitive grumbled. "You're just the same as one of us." Then, seeing the look that came into Rathburn's eyes, he said hastily: "Mike Eagen planned the lay."
"Was you thinking I was an old acquaintance of yours?" he asked pleasantly. The other's eyes narrowed, and Rathburn thought he detected a glow of recognition and satisfaction. "Did you have your bath?" sneeringly inquired the man. Rathburn's brows lifted. Then he smiled queerly. "I sure did. Why? Did I maybe keep you waiting? Was you next?" The other's eyes blazed with wrath.
Rathburn's eyes held the other's as completely as would have been the case if he were invested with a power to charm in some occult way. Moreover, every trace of his amiable, confiding smile was gone. His gaze was hard and cold and gleaming. His face was drawn into grim lines.
I was thinkin' maybe you double crossed me to make 'em think I was carrying the money while you sneaked it up some other way, Mr. Sautee." "You can think what you want to," said Sautee. "But you better start moving. If I was you, I'd get as far away from this town and Mannix as I could by daylight." Rathburn's manner underwent a lightning change as he threw away his partly finished cigarette.
He knew the official had been right when he said that it would react in Rathburn's favor if he gave himself up. Some of the counts on which he would be indicted undoubtedly would be quashed; others he might disprove. There was a chance that he might get off lightly; in any event he would have to spend a number of years in prison. Rathburn looked up at the bright sky.
In one great effort he freed himself and leaped to his feet. Rathburn was up instantly. Long drove a straight right that grazed Rathburn's jaw and staggered him, but Rathburn blocked the next blow and succeeded in upper-cutting his left to the sheriff's chin. They went into another clinch, and the sheriff got the better of the close fighting.
Several of the men who were mounted spurred their horses up the steep trail. There was utter silence now among the men. Mannix, too, was cool and collected. He had not drawn his gun. He surveyed the quaking Sautee with a look of extreme contempt. The mine manager's nerves had gone to pieces before Rathburn's menacing personality. All he cared for now was his life.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking