Part 40 (2/2)

The man struggled with himself for some moments. The strong young body was yielding reluctantly enough to the death-grip. And at last his words gasped haltingly upon the still air.

”Their plugs--wasn't--fresh. Mine--was. That give--me--the--legs--of 'em. But--they--rode--hard, an'--”

His voice died down to a whistling gasp and his eyes closed. He was sinking fast. Minky forced more brandy between his lips. And presently the drooping eyelids widened, and a momentary strength lifted the weakening body.

”They follered,” he mumbled, ”but--I--don't--know--how--many.

'Bout--three. Three--miles--back--I--I--lost--'em--”

His eyes were glazing and staring painfully. And as his last words hovered on his lips they were drowned by the gurgling and rattling in his throat. Suddenly a shudder pa.s.sed through his frame. He started, his eyes staring wildly.

”I'm--done!” he gasped. His arms shot up convulsively, his legs flung out. And then all his weight dropped back on to the storekeeper's supporting arm. The next moment his body seemed to heave as with a deep, restful sigh, and his head lolled helplessly forward. He was dead.

CHAPTER XXIII

A BATH AND--

Scipio started and looked up as a joyous greeting from the children outside warned him of the approach of a visitor. He was rather glad of the interruption, too. He found the Bible offered him such an enormous field of research. It was worse than enormous; it was overwhelming.

The Bible was really more than he could study in the few minutes he had allowed himself. As yet he had not found even one single mention of the few subjects he still retained a vague recollection of.

As he glanced at the doorway it was darkened by a familiar figure.

Sunny Oak, as ragged, disreputable and unclean as usual, smiled himself into the room.

”Howdy, Zip?” he greeted genially. ”Guessed I'd git around, seem' it was Sunday. Y'see, folks don't work any Sunday. I'd sure say it's a real blessin' folks is 'lowed to rest one day in seven. Talkin' o'

work, I heerd tell you've took a pardner to your claim. Wild Bill's smart. He ain't bluffed you any?”

The loafer seated himself in the other chair with an air of utter weariness. He might just have finished a spell of the most arduous labor, instead of having merely strolled across the dumps. Scipio smiled faintly.

”He hasn't bluffed me any,” he said gently. ”Seems to me he wouldn't bluff me. Yes, he's in on ha'f my claim. Y'see, he thinks ther's gold in sight, an'--an' I know ther' ain't. That's what's troubling me. I kind of feel mean some.”

Sunny yawned luxuriously.

”Don't you worry any,” he said easily. ”Bill's mighty wide. If he's come in on your claim he's--needin' to bad. Say--”

He broke off and turned alertly to the door. A sound of voices reached them, and a moment later Sandy Joyce and Toby stood grinning in the doorway.

”Gee!” cried Sunny. ”Gettin' quite a party.”

”I'm real pleased you folks come along,” Scipio declared warmly. He stood up and looked round uncertainly. ”Say,” he went on, his pale face flus.h.i.+ng a little ruefully, ”come right in, boys. I don't see jest where you're goin' to sit. Maybe the table's good an' strong.

This chair'll do for one.”

But Toby would have none of it.

”Set you down, Zip,” he cried. ”I got this doorway. Guess the table'll fit Sandy. He's kind o' high in his notions. I jest see Bill comin'

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