CHAPTER I.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8003, 5 May 1904, Page 4

CHAPTER I.

WSs{.. .. CHAPTER ;; V^fhe yiaKiß were veiled in the heat-mist, tlw gras6 Tolled its yellow waves ,to a Ipgf&fenrig- skyline, and over "the southern <if;'^oriaai, dark against the sun-glare, came a ;.U -JtoWinted man. His horse was dun of colBke the grass, his shirt and duck overwere frey.'witn dust, and the one splash was his 'kerchief, blood-red, about This middle-aged cowboy's face ll W|» ghastly under the tan, and he spurred •>/ *#J*wd with the haste*of flight. <H«r the waves and hollows to the north catte a 'second horseman, bis jacket of glowisg scarlet, his accoutrements glittering like stars, while the chestnut flanks of his fat mate gleamed red-gold under the sun. A constable of the North-west Police on patrol, the youngster timed a song to his charger's easy pace, and came rolling on-. wards, holding the mare's head high, lest she should buck for very joy of her strength. It seemed as though Death were riding from the south, Life from the north, when 1a the immensity of the Plains these horse-, Wen met, the trooper as he reined lifting $£b hand to make the sign of Peace. "Hello!" he called. "Why—say, what's the matter?" V "You of them all, Jimmy"—the cowboy stated at the other's face-J-"you ride as Stiff as ever; I might have' known it was Well," he added in breathless haste, ' "I guess you'll do as well as another. It was meant—it's fate!" ." You're wounded!" The cowboy looked at his bridle ami, where streaks of deep red stained the shirt sleeve. "That? O, that's only a scratch, and there ain't no time to fuss." He looked " over his shoulder along the southward ruts Of the long trail. "It's no use making a howl. Here"—he drew his revolver with a .? shaking hand, and held out the butt— "take my gun and come on!" "But why?" "'Cause I'm your prisoner. Come on, lad!" "My prisoner. ) 6> what have you been - and done?" ."Only murder," explained the other, bitterly, "that's all. Come^ on"—he roused his* exhausted pony and spurred^ onward. * Where's vouf confounded post?" . "Murder?" " ■ „ , "O, it's all right," the cowboy called '. Ijack in irritable words over^/his shoulder. "I'done it." ■ , „ The trooper followed doubtfully, and Shouted after him: "But I don't know as you done it." The cowboy swung round and stood sideWays on one stirrup. "I tell you," he «ri«d, " I shot Pete dv Plessis, our foreman. .. We had an argument last night, and he's !■{ sore dead. What's the use of making all this hurroar?" ' . " I don't believe you done it. You re a liar!" ' _ so," the cowboy agreed; "but, finriny, this is straight." ' " All right," the trooper galloped forward, snatched Kit's rein, and turned the pony •font. "Look here," he said, roughly, ', "this ain't possible between us two. I ' l aWi Been you for weeks, I ain't seen you to- «"' day, I ain't heard of the shooting until I ■ gets to the Bar Zee camp. What you want * to do is to ride for Whiskey Gap. Once you erots the line you're safe in the United A fit*tes Then lay up in the Sweet Grass or ■ 5* Bear Paw, and they can't get you for 1 taUadition. Take-back your gun and ride. "O, what's the use! You're a. fool! ri Jfcm't you understand!? The boys are Jios- - life. They lashed me into our waggon, but ' ,1 ate through the raw hides last nigiht and broke away for the States. They've -headed ■» hack, they're driving me now. and when A Hfcer get me they'll—here they are!" A .group of horsemen had come up above the southern skyline, riding hard. , ,' "They'll string me up now, sam fcne nozderer. '"bet you a dollar they will." i" Bet you; a dollar tfoey won't. You just Mft. You keep youi. fur on." " We'd better make tracks, though,' said Kit - - . . -I «Torn tail?" said Jimmy. "Whatwould "T those boys'think if they 4»w my tail? I'm '''the Police Outfit," he added boastfully; *• 2 they want to take me on—l'm- Canada! % Let them try to steal my meat! Here," fie 1 * trooper opened Ms saddle wallet.and tore ' out a pair of handcuffs, which he threw to '- Jim prisoner. " Put them on—to protect W' x AI» this the law?" ' "The iron law, and if them boys act v foolish, get behind me!"