Guardians of the Sage by Harry Sinclair Drago

Author:Harry Sinclair Drago
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781590774755
Publisher: M. Evans & Company

CHAPTER XII HOME ON THE RANGE

NEEDLESS to say, the events of the night on the creek, which led to the killing of Gene Crockett, were viewed in quite another light above the North Fork. Reb, still smarting from coming off second best in his encounter with Jim Montana, had been summoned to the house to make a report. He sat facing the old man, twisting his hat and having a very unhappy time of it. He was fiercely loyal to his men; so if his tale was colored in their favor it was no more than was to have been expected. It left a lot to be desired, even to him, and he did not have to wait for Mr. Stall to speak to gather that he was greatly annoyed.

“This whole affair has turned out unfortunately for us,” old Slick-ear stormed, slamming things about on his improvised desk. “I can’t understand why you ever let them get across the creek, Mr. Russell. I’ve given you men enough to patrol it day and night. When we said stay out it should have meant stay out!” He blew his nose violently as if to give emphasis to his words.

Reb slid further down in his chair.

“I wanted to stay inside the law,” he said. “We couldn’t open up on them until we caught them trespassing.”

“You miss my point,” the old man snapped. “I maintain that with a proper show of force they never would have crossed the creek. We said the North Fork was the deadline. They called our hand and proved we were only bluffing.”

“I don’t know about that,” Red grumbled. “We made it pretty hot for ’em.”

“They accomplished what they came over here to do,” Mr. Stall retorted sharply. “I do not care about the range they destroyed; we can get along without it. It’s the effect it’s going to have that counts. They’ll come again; they’ve got a double incentive now.”

“You mean the boy, I suppose——”

“Certainly!”

Dull spots of color began to stain Reb’s cheeks as his temper and righteous indignation loosened his tongue.

“It was the only thing we could do, Mr. Stall,” he exclaimed with some heat. “We gave him better than an even break, but he wouldn’t have it. I can’t ask my men to stand up and take it just because it happens to be a boy who has pulled down on them and is blazing away.”

“I’ve no fault to find with that,” the old man acknowledged. “You were well within your rights. You know I am against bloodshed if it can be avoided. Ever since Sauls was killed I have been afraid some of the men would try to avenge his death. This affair last night hardly comes under that heading; but it will be taken that way by the other side. They’ll forget that we had men wounded and be swayed by the fact that one of their crowd was killed. I’m squarely behind you on this point; you couldn’t have done otherwise. But we’ll pay for it.

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