Part 9 (2/2)
It was less than an hour after separating from dick Arbuckle that pawnee Brown found his way to Arkansas City
He was accoreat scout's object was not alone to aid dick in the search for Mortiet back some money out of which the cowboy boomer claimed he had been swindled
Clemmer had played cards with a certain sharp known as Pete Stillwater, and lost two hundred and fifty dollars At first he had ihts, coupled hat he heard on the sly the next day, made hiht his case to pawnee Brown, and the leader of the booambler had not acted fairly He had ambler's reputation was far from savory
”You were a fool to bet at cards, Cal,” he said flatly ”But that is no reason why Stillwater should cheat you I'll do what I can, but you h stakes alone in the future”
”Don't yer fear, pawnee,” was Clemmer's ready reply ”A scorched Injun keeps hez distance from the blaze, don't he? Wall, I'm the scorched Injun in this air case Git back her then penny-ante ez long ez I live”
The ga forth was soon reached, and the three entered, to find the place coa As pawnee Brown surveyed the assee his lip curled with a sarcasm which was by no ht; ”they expect to win, and nine-tenths of them are bound in the end to be fleeced out of all they possess Why ood money in this fashi+on is more than I can understand”
”Thar's Stillwater,” whispered Cal Cle hez neck fer hi first,” smiled pawnee Brown
Without hesitation he called Stillwater outside and explained the situation
”You can say what you please, Stillwater,” he said ”I a, for I know your past record You ht away”
A stormy war of words followed, but pawnee Broas firave up about a hundred dollars--all he had with hieance and when at a safe distance turned and drew a pistol fro to shoot ye!” cried one of the boomers, but Stillwater was afraid to fire As pawnee Brown started after hio after him!” cried one of the others, and away they went Soon they caht of the river and saw Stillwater in a s his way to the opposite shore Presently a bend in the strea out pawnee Brown ”Here comes another rowboat, and--yes, there is dick Arbuckle in it What can he be doing on the river?”
”The boat is makin' fer thet half-sunk tree!” interrupted Cal Clemmer
”He'll strike ef he don't look out! Heavens!”
”Look out there, youngster!” yelled pawnee Brown, and those were the words which attracted dick's attention, as mentioned in the for upon the bank, pawnee Brown and the cowboy booo to pieces and saw dick thrown out into thehis head came into painful contact with the furthest of the tree branches, and he was partially stunned His eyes closed and he struck out wildly and ineffectually
”He'll be drowned!” gasped Cleain the bank with the water runnin' ez it is to-day”
”I don't believe he could catch a rope,” answered pawnee Brown, starting off down the river bank ”Cal, hunt one up so in after him!”
”But the risk----”