Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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i » < THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1925. ' 1 THE BARNWELL PEOPLE, BARNWELL, BOUtH CAROLINA. PAGE THREE ¥ >=, rM ^r ^ Judith of Blue Lake Ranch By JACKSON GREGORY Copyright by Charles Scribner** Son* CHAPTER XVI—Continued —18— Then Lee told Jilin of Judith. Car- son’s K<>ud eye opened wide with in terest. Carson's bruised lips sought to form for a whistle which managed to give them the air of a maidenly pout. “He had the nerve!” he muttered. ‘‘Trevors had the nerve! Hud, we ought to make a little call on that gent.” Then, seeing Lee’s face, Carson realized that anything he might have to remark on this score was super fluous. Lee hud already thought of that. ' They roped a couple of the wander ing horses, improvised hackamores from tiie rope cut in two, and .went to meet Judith. Carson snatched eag erly at her hand and squeezed it and looked inexpressible things from his ame useful eye. He gave ids saddled horse to her, watched her and Lee ride on to the ranch, and sent Tommy to the old cabin for another rope, while he rounded up some more horses in a narrow canyon for Burkitt and Hampton. “You d—n fool," he said growling- ly to Hampton, “look what you've done.” “Of course I'm a d—n fool,” replied Hampton, by now his old cheerful self. *T’ve apologized to Judith and Lee and Burkitt. 1 apologize to you. I'll tell you confidentially that I’m a sucker and a Come on-Charlie. I haven’t got the brains of a Jack-rab bit.” Carson went away grumbling. But for the first time he felt a vague re spect for Bollock Hampton. “He'll be a real man some day," thought Carson, “if the. fool-killer don't pick him off first." “You may come and see me this evening.” Judith told Bud Lee as he left her to Marcia’s arms. “I’ll be - eating and sleeping and taking baths until then. Thank you for the bacon —and the water—and—” She smiled at him from Marcia’s excited embrace. Bud Lee, the blood tingling through him, left her. “Before I come to you, Judith girl," he whispered to himself as he went. ‘‘I’ll have to have a little talk with Bayne Trevors." CHAPTER XVI! Lee and Old Man Carton Ride Together Bud Lee, riding alone toward the Western Lumber camp, turned In his .saddle to glance back as he heard hoof-heats behind him. It was Carson, and the old -cattleman was riding hard. Lee frowned. Then for an in slant a smile softened his stern eyes. “(Jood little old Carson," he mut tered. Carson came to his side, saying merely in Jiis dry voice:, “Mind if I come along. Bud? You an' me have rid Into one thing an' another more’n just once.” “This is my fight,” said Lee coolly. “Who said it wasn't?" demanded the other querulously. "Only you ain’t got any call to be a hawg. Bud. Besides, I got a right to see if there's a fair break, ain't I? “Sayirlook at them cow brutes back yonder! Don't it beat all how silage, when you use It right, shapes ’em up?" Few enough words were said as the miles were flung behind them ; few were needed. A swift glance showed ('arson that Lee carried a revolver In his shirt; his own gun rode plainly In evidence in front of his, hip. What little conversation rose between them was of ranch matters. Hliey spoke of success now with confidence. These two foremen alone could see the money In late winter and early spring from their cattle and horses to carry the Blue Lake venture over the rap ids. Then there were the other re sources of the diversified undertak ing, the hogs, the prize stock, the olives, poultry, dairy products. And soon or late Western Lumber would pay the prTceTTor thefrmbef tract, soon. If they saw that they had to pay It or lose the forests which they had so long counted up<5n. Lumber values were mounting every day. Neither man, when It chanced that Bayne Trevors’ name was casually mentioned, suggested: “Why not go to the law?’’ For to them It was very clear that, once In the courts, the man who hod played safe would laugh at them. Against Judith’s oath that he had kidnaped her would stand Trevors’ word that he had done noth ing of the kind, coupled with his care fully established perjured alibi and the lying testimony of the physician who had visited Judith In the cave. This man and that might be rounded up, Shorty and Benny and Poker Face; and If any of them talked—which perhaps none of them would—at most they would say that they had no or ders from anybody but Quinnlon. And where was Quinnlon, who stood as a buckler between Trevors and prosecu tion? And what buckler In till the world can ever stand between one man and another? Now and then Carson sent a quick questioning glance toward Lae’s In scrutable face; now and then he sighed, his thoughts his own. Bud Lee, knowing his companion as he did, shrewdly guessed that Carson was hoping that events might so befall that there would be an open, free-for- all fight and that he might not be forced to play the restless part of a mere onlooker. Bud Lee hoped otherwise.' “There’s two ways to get a; man,” said Carson meditatively, out of a long silence. “An’ both is good ways; with a gun or with your hands.” “Yes,” agreed Bud quietly. "If it works out gun way,” continued Carson, still with that thoughtful, half-abstracted look in his eyes, “it don’t hurt to remember, Bud, that he shoots left-handed an’ from the hip." Lee merely nodded. Carson did not look up from the bobbing ears of his horse as he continued: “If it works oiij the other way an) it’s Just fists, It don’t hurt to remem ber how Trevors put out Scotty Webb last year in Hooky Bend. Four-footed style, striking with his boot square in Scotty’s belly.” Trevors’ name was not again re ferred to even In the vaguest terms. The road in front of them, at last dropping down into the valley in which the lumber-camp was, straight ened out into a lane that ran between stumps to the clutter of frame build ings. “Something doing at the office," of fered Carson, as they drew near. “Di rectors’ meeting, likely." Two automobiles stood in the road ten steps from the closed door of the unpretentious shack which bore the printed legend, “Office, Western Lum ber Company." The big red touring- car certainly belonged to Melvin, the company’s president. Carson looked curiously at Lee. Bud dismounted, dropped his horse’s reins, shifted the revolver from' his shirt to his belt where it was at once unhidden and loosely held, ready for a quicK draw. Then he went up the three steps, Carson at his heels, his gun also unhidden and ready. From within came voices, one In protest, Bayne Trevors’ ringing out, filled with mastery followed by a laugh. Lee set his hand to the door. Then, only be cause It was locked from within, did he knock sharply. “Who is It?” came the sharp In quiry. But the man who made It and who was standing by the door, threw it open. “What do you want?” he demanded again. “We’re busy." "I want to see Trevors," said Lee coolly. “You can't. He—” Lee shoved the man aside and strode on. Carson, close at Lee’s heels, his eyes glittering, stepped- a little aside when once he was within the room and took his place with his back against the wall close to the door. It was a big, bare, barn-like room, furnished simply with one long table and half a dozen chairs. Here were live men besides Bayne Trevors. All except, Trevors and the man who had opened the door were seqted; Trevors, at the far end of the room, was stand ing, an oratorical arm slowly drop ping to his side. His eyes met Lee's, ran quickly to Carson’s, came back to Lee's and' rested there steadily. Beyond the slow falling of his extended arm, he did not move. The muscles of his face hardened, the look of triumph which just now hud stood in his ^yes changed slowly and In Its place came an expression that was twin to that in Bud Lee’s eyes, just a look of In scrutability with a hint of watchful ness under It, and the hardness of agate. While a man might havie drawn a deep breath Into- his lungs and expelled It, neither Lee nor Trev ors stirred. "What the devil is this?” demanded Melvin from across the table. “Hold up or what?'’ He rapped the table resoundingly. “Shut up!" snapped Carson. “It’s just a two-man play, Melvin: Lee an’ Trevors.” “Ohr ’- - -said—Mel vin, and sank back. making no further protest. He was no stranger to Carson or to Bud Lee, and he sensed what might He between I^e and a man like Trevors. Then, shrugging his shoulders, he said care lessly: “I’m not the man to get In other men’s way, and you know It. Carson. But you might tell your friend Bud Lee that Bayne Trevors is rather a big man Influentially to mix things with. I’ve Just resigned this morning and Trevors Is our new president.” •’Thanks," returned Carson dryly. “I don’t think that’ll make much dif ference though, Melvin. Most likely you’ll have two presidents resigning the same dag.” ~~-At last Lee spoke. “Trevors," he said quietly, “maybe the law can’t get you. But I can. For reasons which both yofl and f under- sfafrrd you are going to clear out of this part of the country." “Am I?” asked Trevors The look ■of his eyes did not alter, the poise ot his big body did not shift, his hands, both at his sides again, might have been carved in bronze. Then suddenly he laughed and threw out his arms in a wide gesture and again dropped them, saying shortly: “You’re playing the game the way I thought you would. You’ve got a gun. I am unarmed—begin your shooting and be d—d to you !” He even stepped forward, his eyes fearlessly upon Lee's, ami settled his big frame comfortably in a chair by the table. “Go ahiaii," he concluded. “I’m ready." “That’s as It should be!” Lee’s voice was vlYrant. His hard eyes bright ened. With a quick jerk he drew the revolver from his belt and dropped It to the floor at Carson’s feet. Carson, though he stooped for it quickly,'did not shift his watchful eyes from Trevors. For Carson had known more fights in his life than he had years; he knew men, and looked to Trevors for Just the sort of thing Trevors did. ^ — : As Lee stepped forward, Trevors snatched open the drawer of the table at his side, quick as light, and whipped but the weapon which lay there. “Go slow, Trevors!" came old Cor son’s dry voice. “I’ve got you cov ered already, twlb-gun style.” Trevors, even with his finger crook ing to the trigger, paused and saw the two guns in Carson's brown bands traine'd unwaveringly upon him. There was much deadly determination in Carson’s eyes. Again Trevor^ laughed, drawing back his empty hand. “You yellow dog!” grunted Bud Lee, his tone one of supreme disgust. “You d—d yellow dog!" Trevors shrugged. “You see, gentlemen^—two to one, with the odds all theirs.” “You He!" spat out Carson. “It's one to one an’ I’ll see the game goes square." He stepped forward, re moved the weapon from the table un- ^er .Trevors’ now suddenly changeful eyes,' and went back to his place with his back to the wall. “For God’s sake!” cried the one nervous man In the room, he who had opened the door. “This Is murder!” Melvin smiled, a smile as cheerless “Or, Do You Want Padded Gloves and Someone to Fan You?” as the gleam of wintry starlight on a bit of glass. “Will you fight him, Trevors?" he asked. “With your hands?” “Yes," answered Trevors. “Yes." "Move back the table," commanded Melvin, on his feet in an Instant. “And the chairs. Get them back.” The table was dragged to the far end of the room; the choirs were piled upon It. “Now," and Melvin’s watch was in his hand, his voice coming with me tallic coldness, "It’s to a finish, is It? Three-minute rounds, fair fighting, no—” But n£w at last Bayne Trevors' blood was up, his slow anger had kindled, he was moving his feet rest lessly. “D—n ‘It," he shouted, “whose fight Is this but mine and Lee’s? If he wants a fight, let him come and get It; a man’s fight and rules and rounds and time be d—d! Am I to dance around here and sidestep and fence Just for you to look on? ... . Carson!” “Well?" said'Carson. “Lee challenges me doesn't he? Then I’m the man to name the sort of fight, am I not? Is that fair?” "Meaning Just what?” asked Car- son. “Meaning that I am going to get him, get him any way I can! You let us fight this out oijx way, any way, and ne Interference!” “Talk to Bud there," rejoined tlw old cattleman calmly. “It ain’t ftiy scrap.” “Then, Lee,” snapped Trevors, “come on if you want such a fight as you'd get If you and I were alone In the mountains, with no man to watch, a fight where a man can use what Weapons Ciid gave him, any weapon he (’an lay his mind to, his eye to, his hand to! Or," and at last the sneer came, “do you want a pair of padded gloves and somebody to fan you ?” Carson shifted his glance to Bud Lee’s face. Lee merely nodded. “Then," cried Carson sternly, "go to It! No man steps in, an’ you two can fight it out like coyotes or moun tain-lions for all of me." “Your word there will be no inter ference?" asked Trevors. “For you're Just a fool and not a liar, Carson." “My word," was the answer. Bayne Trevors slipped out of his coat anil vest, tossing them to the pile of chairs oq the table. He loos ened his soft shirt-collar and was ready. All of Bud Lee’s simple prep arations had been made when he threw his broad hat aside. Then came the little pause which is forerunner to the first blow, when two men measure each other, seeking each to read the other's purpose. “It ought to be a pretty even break,” muttered Melvin, his Interest obviously that of a sporting man who would travel a thousand .{niles to see. a fight for a champion’s belt. “Trevors has the weight by forty pounds; Lee has the reach by a hair; both quick footed; both hard; Lee, maybe a lit tle harder. Don’t know. Even break. The sand will do It—sand or luck.” The two men drew slowly together. Their hands came up, their fists showed glistening knuckles, their jaws were set, their feet moved cautiously. Then suddenly Bud Lee sprang In and struck. Struck tentatively with his left hand that grazed Trevors’ cheek, and did no harm; struck terribly with his right hand that drove through the other man’s guard and landed with the little sound of flesh on flesh on Trevors’ chest. Trevors’ grunt and his return blow came together; both men reeled back a half-pace from the impact, both hung an instant upon an unsteady balance, both sprang for ward. And as they met the second time, they battled furiously, clinging together, striking mercilessly, giving and taking with only the sound of scuffing boot-heels and soft thuds and little coughing grunts breaking the si lence. Bayne Trevors gave back a stubborn step, striking right and left as he did so; caught himself, hurled himself forward so that now It was Bud Lee who was borne backward by the sheer weight of his opponent. There was a gash on Lee’s temple from which a thin stream of blood trickled; Trevors’ mouth was bleed ing. “Under his guard, Trevors!" shouted Melvin, oh the table now, his face red,i his eyes shining. “Under, un der j” “Remember, Bud! Remember!" cried Carson. “That's it, that’s It!” Melvin clapped his two big hands and came perilously near falling frrtm his point of vantage as Trevors’ fists drove* into Lee's body and Lee went reeling back. “Give him h—-1! A hundred dollars on Trevors!" “Take you!" called Carson without withdrawing his eyes from the two forms reeling up and down, back and forth across the room. “Done!" cried Melvin. “Trevors, a hundred dollars—” % He broke off, forgetful of his own words. The two men met again, clung to each other In a ludicrous embrace, lm>ke asunder, and Lee struck so fhaT his fist, landing fair upon Trevors' chin, hurled the bigger man back, stumbling, falling— But not fallen. For his back found the wall and' c saved him. As Lee came on, rushing at him like a man gone mad. Trevors slipped aside and struck back, for the critical moment gaining time to breathe. lie spat, wiped his bloody mouth with the back of his hand and again eluded a rushing at tack by ducking and stepping to one side. * And ever, when he sought to save his own body, he struck back, grunting audibly with tht* effort. They fought everywhere, up and down, back and forth, until every foot of the floor felt their heavy boots, until eaqhr of them was fighting with all of the force that lay In him, fight ing with that swelling anger "which grows in leaps and bounds when two men strive body to body, when the hot breath of one mingles with the hot breath of the other, when red rage looking out of one pair of eyes sees Its reflection In the other. Again and again Melvin muttered: “An even break! By O—d, an even break!” And over and over did Carson’s heart rise In his breast as he saw Bud Lee drive Trevors, and over and over did his heart sink when he saw Lee sway and reel under the sledge-hammer blows beating at face and body. In the beginning there had been in Bud Lee’s mind but the one Thought: This man had laid his hands upon Ju dith ; this man must be punished and punished by none other In God’s wide world than Bud Lee. Now all cool thought had fled, leaving Just the hot desire to beat at that which beat at him, to strike down that which strove to strike him down, to master his cnem/, to see the great, powerful body prone at his feet. Now he was fighting for that simplest, most potent reason In the world, Just because he. uns fighting. And, though he knew that he had found a man as quick and hard and strong ns himself, still he told himself that he must fight a winning fight—there was some good reason why he must fight a winning tight. His whole body was bruised and battered and sore. A glancing blow shot him through with pain. Trevors knew how to put his weight behind his blows, and his weight was well over two hundred pounds. It was like being hammered with a two-hun dred-pound sledge. Give and take it was from the first blow, with none of the finesse of a boxers" match, with less thought of escaping punishment than of Inflicting It. More than once had Bud Lee felt that he was falling only to catch his balance and come back at Trevors; more than once had Trevors gone reel ing backward, smashing Into the wall. Many a time did Melvin count hla money won and lost. And Carson, crouching now, tense, eager, a little fearful, muttered constantly to him- •self. “They’ve both got the sand!” grunted Melvin. “WJhlch one draws the luck?" But luck stood by and din not enter into the battle that grew ever hotter as Bud Lee’s and Trevors’ gorge rose higher at every blow. It was to be simply the best man wins, and none of the six men who watched knew from the beginning until the end who the best man was. What tricks Trev ors knew, he used and they were met by what cunning lay ip Bud Lee; what strength, what resistance, what power to endure was In each panting body was called upon to the last re serve. > Already the spring had gone out of their steps. They came at eadk other for the most part more a'.ovny, more cautiously, but more determined not to give over.- Faces glistening with "Sweat, grimy with the dust their pounding feet beat up from the floor, the roots of Lee’s hair red where with ‘a bloody hand he had pushed It back, Trevors’ lips swollen and ugly, they fought on until the men who looked at them wondered Just where lay the limits upon which each depended. “Lee’s tough," Carson whispered to himself. “Riding every day an’ work ing . . . Trevors has been setting In a chair .... Bud’ll wear him out .... My G—d! Bud, look out 1 Foot work. . . ." Yes, foot work, but not as Carson expected it, not the thing Bud Lee looked for when he sensed rather than read In Trevors’ eyes that a fresh trick was coming. He was ready for a lifted boot, and, Instead, Trevors, rushing down upon him, threw grap pling arms about him, heedless of the fist smashing again Into his cut lips. Trevors doubled and twisted and got a grip about Lee’s middle, seeking to throw him. Down they went together with no particular advantage to either man. But as they rolled apart and Lee threw out an arm to lift himself Trev ors saw the chance he sought and mightily, brutally, cursing as he Jumped up for It, he drove the heel of his boot down upon Lee’s hand on the floor. —* * From Lee’s white lips burst an In voluntary groan as It seemed to him that every bone in his hand had oeen crushed, from (’Hrson a choking cry of rage, from Trevors a short laugh as hq called out sharply: “Hands off, Carson 1 Our fight— any way—” . 1 Again on their feet, Trevors a sec ond first and with the advantage clearly his now rushed Lee, seeking to finish what he had begun. And Bud Lee, his face white and drawn, looking ghastly with the blood smears across It, moving swiftly but not swiftly enough, went down, Trevors’ weight against him. “Five hundred on Trevors!” shouted Melvin. Carson did not hear him. “At him, Bud, go at him !” he was Trying over and 'over. “That’s the last dirty trick he’s got. Get him, Buddie. 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