Oliver Strange - Sudden Westerns 01 - The Range Robbers(1930) by Oliver Strange Read Free Book Online Page A

on the edge of it
some log-buildings and corrals. In the distance were specks which he knew to be
cattle.
                 The
place appeared to be deserted, and he was about to shout when a man showed in
the doorway. Green noted that he did not seem surprised, and surmised that his
approach had been observed. The fellow was powerful-looking, thick-lipped, and
wore a black patch over one eye, which imparted a cunning expression to his
face. He had a revolver slung at his hip, and the handle of a knife protruded
from his boot.
                 “Afternoon,’
Green greeted pleasantly. “I take it this is the Double X.’
                 “It
is,’ said the other shortly. “An’ I take it yo’re the new Y Z feller who got
gay with Poker Pete in Hatchett’s.’
                 Green
nodded, smiling. “I don’t allow tinhorns to run blazers on me,’ he returned
easily. “ Odd how news travels, even out here.’
                 “I
was in town yesterday,’ the man explained quickly, and Green chuckled inwardly.
“What’s brung yu out this far?’
                 “Well,
I’ve been huntin’ strays, an’ got the fool notion I was headin’ for home, but I
reckon I’ve strayed some m’self,’ the cowpuncher explained.
                 The
one-eyed man burst into a coarse laugh. “If yu keep agoin’ yu’ll have to go all
round the world to get to the Y Z,’ he guffawed.
                 “Is
that so? Pointin’ right away from it, eh?’ replied the visitor. “Well, if this
ain’t the beatenest country; that’s twice I done lost m’self in it.’
                 If
the man doubted this somewhat unlikely excuse for the puncher’s presence he
showed no sign of it. “Get down an’drink,’ he invited. “Can’t offer yu any
grub: we’re clean out. The boys are at Hatchett’s with the wa.ggin, fetchin’ in
what I ordered yesterday.’
                 His
one eye watched the visitor closely as he offered this information. Green
nodded understandingly, dismounted, and tied his horse, not yet being certain
that Blue would stand for a thrown rein. His host eyed the animal covetously.
                 “Good
hoss,’ he remarked. “Had him long?’
                 “No,’
replied the cowboy. “He’s kind o’ new.’
                 The
room they entered was a large one, and had a boarded floor. The furniture
consisted mainly of a long table and a number of chairs and benches, mostly
decorated with saddles, guns, and odds and ends of camp equipment. Two doors on
the far side apparently led to the other parts of the building, which was of
one storey only. Through one of these doors Green could hear a peculiarly
raucous voice bellowing a cowboy ballad.
                 “That’s
my cook—thinks he’s a blasted opery singer,’ explained the host. “I’ll just abate
him a bit.’ He opened one of the doors and yelled “Hey, Carewso, stop that
blamed racket; I got a visitor what’s fond o’ music.’
                 The
unholy noise died away into a grumble, and the host shut the door with a grin.
“The boys call him that. They stand it pretty well, but I reckon they’ll
abolish him one of these days.’
                 He
produced a bottle and glasses, pouring out generous portions. “Here’s how,’ he
said. “My name’s Dexter, an’ I own this place.’
                 Green
gave his own name, and then added: “Nice location yu got here, but the country
round strikes me as bein’ a hard one for cows.’
                 “Yu
said it,’ was the reply. “We lose a good few.’
                 “Rustlers?’
queried Green.
                 The
other man spat out an expletive. “Yep, copper-coloured ones
from the Reservation just across the range. The damn thieves know all
the passes, an’ they sneak through,