Cowmen and Rustlers: A Story of the Wyoming Cattle Ranges by Edward Sylvester Ellis (books suggested by bill gates TXT) π
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- Author: Edward Sylvester Ellis
Read book online Β«Cowmen and Rustlers: A Story of the Wyoming Cattle Ranges by Edward Sylvester Ellis (books suggested by bill gates TXT) πΒ». Author - Edward Sylvester Ellis
"And I ask you again, why do you come here after him? I don't deny that he was with me, but he left fully two hours ago."
"We know that; he gave us the slip, but we believe he came back."
"And I ask what reason you have for such belief; why did he bid us good-by and ride away? I know that he had not the slightest intention of returning for several days," said Fred, sticking to the technical truth.
"We don't care what his intention was, he did come back."
"How do you know that?"
"He was sitting in that chair alongside of you less than ten minutes ago; you were smoking and talking, though you didn't speak loud enough for us to catch your words."
"Where is the proof, Larch Cadmus, of what you say?"
Without noticing this penetration of his disguise, the rustler turned and spoke to the nearest of his companions:
"Spark Holly, how was it?"
"I seen 'em both and heard 'em talking," was the prompt response of the individual appealed to.
"Are your eyes better than the others'?" asked Fred.
"They don't have to be," replied Cadmus, speaking for him. "While we stayed in front of the house, Spark stole round to the rear, where none of your family seen him. He got to the corner and had a good look at both of you."
"Does he know Sterry?" inquired Fred, purposely raising his voice, that his friend, standing a few feet away within the house, should not miss a word.
"He don't know him, but I do, and the description Spark gives fits the man we're after to a T. We want him."
"But the notice you gave Sterry allowed him twenty-four hours' grace. Why do you ask for him now?"
"Them was my sentiments, but when I joined the party under Inman, a little while ago, he told me the boys had reconsidered that matter, and decided that after what Sterry has done, and tried to do, I hadn't any right to make the promise."
"That may be their decision, but it cannot affect yours; you are bound by the pledge you made in writing to him."
Larch Cadmus, like his companions, was growing impatient. He said:
"I haven't come here to argue the matter with you; I've come after my man, and am going to have him."
"And I repeat what I said: he left more than two hours ago, and you have no business to come here."
"Do you mean to tell me he isn't in the house?" demanded Cadmus, with rising temper.
"I refuse to answer, but I do say that neither you nor any of your gang shall enter my home, where are my mother and sister, their hearts stricken by your murderous doings of yesterday, except over my dead body."
"We don't like to disturb the ladies," said Cadmus, "but we mean business; we have promised the boys to bring back that fellow; but I'll make a proposition."
"What is it?"
"If you will say that Mont Sterry is not in there, we'll go away without disturbing any one; we'll take your word."
"I recognize no right of yours to question me," was the scornful reply of Fred Whitney.
"Boys," said Cadmus, turning again to his companions, "that's only another way of owning up that the coward is hiding here, afraid to meet us; he's our game."
CHAPTER XVII. β A DELICATE SITUATION.
Few men possessed more courage than Fred Whitney, and he was thoroughly aroused.
Sitting in front of his own home during the evening, it naturally happened that he was without any weapon at immediate command. His Winchester and revolvers, his inseparable companions, during those stirring times, whenever away from home, were inside. It need not be said that every one of the rustlers had his "guns" in his possession, so he was a single, defenceless man against four armed ones.
Nevertheless, he strode forward in front of the open door, determined to make good his threat.
"You talk of cowards," he said; "you are four, and each has his pistols and rifle; I have none and one arm is wounded, but I defy you!"
"Come, come," said the leader, "this will do you no good; we're bound to have that man, and if he won't come out we must go after him. If you stand in the way we'll pitch you aside. We don't want to hurt you."
"Advance at your perilβ"
"Fred, move a little to the leftβthat will do. I've got a bead on him now."
It was the voice of Mont Sterry, a few feet away, in the darkness of the room. The muzzle of his rifle, however, projected just enough to reflect the moonlight, and it was leveled at the breast of Larch Cadmus.
"One step," added Sterry, "and you're a dead man."
"Larch Cadmus," said Fred, thrilled by the occurrence, "for we recognize you despite those whiskers, I never knew Mont Sterry to break his word!"
Language cannot do justice to the situation. At the very moment the miscreant was about to advance to hurl Whitney from his path he was confronted by the muzzle of a loaded rifle, held by a man who was in deadly earnest, and who realized he was at bay.
The startled ruffian recoiled a step and stared into the darkened room, as if he failed to grasp the situation.
"Not a step in any direction," said Sterry, warningly; "if you attempt to retreat, advance, or move aside, I'll fire."
It would be a rash thing for any one to deny that the young inspector had secured the "drop" on Larch Cadmus.
But the man was accustomed to violence, and it took him but a minute to rally.
"Pretty well done, I'll own," he said, with a forced laugh; "but what good is it going to do you? There are three more of us here and a half-dozen hardly a hundred yards away."
"And what good will they do you?"
"Spark," said Cadmus, "slip back to the boys and give 'em the tip; we'll see about this thing."
"The moment Spark or either of the other two stirs I'll let the moonlight through you! I'm going to keep my gun pointed right at you, Mr. Cadmus. If those fellows think
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