"
"Where was he found?"
"At the split down the trail--you know where Oldring's cattle
trail runs off north from the trail to the pass."
"That's where I met Jerry and the rustlers. What was Horne doing
with them? I thought Horne was an honest cattle-man."
"Lord--Bern, don't ask me thet! I'm all muddled now tryin' to
figure things."
Venters told of the fight and the race with Jerry Card and its
tragic conclusion.
"I knowed it! I knowed all along that Wrangle was the best hoss!"
exclaimed Judkins, with his lean face working and his eyes
lighting. "Thet was a race! Lord, I'd like to hev seen Wrangle
jump the cliff with Jerry. An' thet was good-by to the grandest
hoss an' rider ever on the sage!...But, Bern, after you got the
hosses why'd you want to bolt right in Tull's face?"
"I want him to know. An' if I can get to him I'll--"
"You can't get near Tull," interrupted Judkins. "Thet vigilante
bunch hev taken to bein' bodyguard for Tull an' Dyer, too."
"Hasn't Lassiter made a break yet?" inquired Venters, curiously.
"Naw!" replied Judkins, scornfully. "Jane turned his head. He's
mad in love over her--follers her like a dog. He ain't no more
Lassiter! He's lost his nerve, he doesn't look like the same
feller. It's village talk. Everybody knows it. He hasn't thrown a
gun, an' he won't!"
"Jud, I'll bet he does," replied Venters, earnestly.
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