Part 28 (1/2)

He felt no remorse The North had stripped hiuised him, and he was sie and primitive passions, and he felt no self-a a murderous and an inhuman crime He had learned certain lessons of cruelty froled had had their influence too

Bill, born and living in a land of beasts, had kept the glory offrom a land of men, had fallen to the beasts'

own level And even the savage wolf does not slay the pack-brother that frees him fro his every step

He threw the cigarette away and glanced critically at the rifles of his two confederates The breeds waited patiently for him to speak

”Where's Sindy?” he asked at last

They began to wonder if he had called them here just to ask about Sindy, and for an instant they were sullenly unresponsive But the heavy lines on their master's face soon reassured them ”Over Buckshot Dan's--just where you said,” Joe replied

”Of course Buckshot took her back?” The Indians nodded ”Well, I'ot a white squa--and soon I's to do first

Bill has found the ravely They expected soot caught in a cabin full of green-wood sain in a day or two So I sent for you right away”

The breeds nodded again, a trifle less phlegleaan sees in the eyes of the little weasel, leaping through the snow

”The mine's worth et a sixth--one third divided between you You'll never get ht's work More than you can spend, if you live a hundred winters But you agree first to these terms--or you won't knohere the mine is”

”Me--I want a fourth,” Joe answered sullenly

”All right Turn around and go home I don't want you”

It was a bluff, but it worked Joe ca treachery, Harold wisely decided that he wouldn't divulge the location of the mine, however, until all needed as done

”As soon as we've finished what I've planned, we'll tear down his claio down to the recorder and record the claiuess No one'll make any trouble”

Joe's mind seemed to leap ahead of the story, and he made a very pertinent question ”The white squaw Maybe she'll tell?”

Harold glared at him The man inferred that he couldn't master his ooman ”Didn't you hear me say she was _ot it planned, she won't know--at least she won't understand Now listen, you two, and don't o back to the cabin now--try to be there before they wake up They're both tired out from a hard experience yesterday--and, as I told you, Bill's as blind as a gopher

”Both of you are to come to the cabin, just about dark You'll tellback toward the Yuga village Bring along a quart of booze--firewater--and maybe two quarts would be better We'll have supper, and you'd better bring along soirl in a better ot to do?”

Neither of theuess--but they didn't conceive of the real brilliancy of the plan

”If you can't, you're dummies It's just this”--and Harold's face drew into an unlovely snarl--”so to him”

”Do him off----?” Joe asked stolidly

”Stamp him out like I stamp this snow!” He paused, and the two breeds leaned toward himatic now They were ie faces told the story Their features were beginning to draw, even as his; their eyes were lurid slits above the high cheek bones