Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 19, 2025
Just before Sundown was called to take his turn with the night-shift, a lean, brown shape tore through the camp, upsetting a pot of frijoles and otherwise disturbing the peace and order of the culinary department. "Coyote!" shouted Wingle, vainly reaching for the gun that he had given to Sundown. "Coyote nothin'!" said a puncher, laughing. "It's the Killer come back hot-foot to find his pardner."
"All right, Hi. Now that you're out of a job, you might saddle up and ride with us. We'll need some one to keep us good-natured, I reckon." "Now you're whistlin'!" said Wingle. "Got a gun I can use? I give mine to Sundown." "There's one over in the office on the desk. But we're going to push the herd over to the water-hole. We're not going there to fight." "Huh! Goin' to be quiet, eh?
Wingle cut the rope and Sundown stood up. "They swiped me gun," he asserted. "Here's one I took off a herder," said Wingle. "if things get to boilin' over why, jest nacherally wilt the legs from under anything that looks like a Chola. Jack's got the cards, all right but I don't jest like the look of things. Loring's in the corner and he's got his back up."
"They's six pills in her yet. You got to show me he wasn't plugged from behind a rock or them bushes." And Wingle pointed toward the cottonwoods. One of the men rode down the cañon, searching for tracks. Chance, following, circled the bushes, and suddenly set off toward the north. Sundown, who had been watching him, dismounted his horse. "Chance, there, mebby he's found somethin'."
Moved by a mutual impulse they glanced at the long, rigid shape covered with a blanket. "When the boys come " began Wingle. "It will be out of our hands," concluded Corliss. "If Sun " "I ought to ride out after him," said Corliss, nodding. "But I can't leave. And you can't." Wingle stepped to the doorway and shaded his eyes.
Corliss ran to the corral, calling to Wingle, who came from the bunk-house. The cook whisked off his apron, grabbed his hat, and followed Corliss. "Sinker's done for!" said Corliss. "Saddle up, Hi. Sun found him out there. Must have had trouble at the water-hole. I should have sent another man with him."
"I'm expecting company on the west side," explained Corliss, The men gazed at each other knowingly. "All right," said Wingle. "Four sacks of flour and a sack of frijoles'll see us through. Got enough other stuff." "Send some one in for it," ordered Corliss. "I'm going to stay with the outfit, from now on." The men cheered. That was the kind of a boss to work for!
Mebby I better take my knittin' along to pass the time." And Wingle departed toward the office. Rejoining Corliss they rode with the men to the Knoll. Bud Shoop nodded gravely as his employer told him of Loring's occupation of the west bank of the river. Then the genial Bud rode over to the herd that was bunched in anticipation of just such a contingency as had developed.
His preparations were not extensive. First, he polished his silver spurs. Then he borrowed a coat from one of the boys, brushed his Stetson, and with the business instinct of a Hebrew offered Hi Wingle nine dollars for a pair of Texas wing chaps. The cook, whose active riding-days were over, had no use for the chaps and would have gladly given them to Sundown.
"Now I reckon we'll ride over to the rancho and see if Loring wants any more of it." Silently the rancher and his men rode toward the water-hole. As they drew near the line fence, the Mexican riders, swinging in a wide circle, spurred to head them off. "Hold on!" shouted Corliss. "We'll pull up and wait for 'em." "Suits me," said Wingle, loosening his gun from the holster.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking