the Drift Fence (1992) (38 page)

"Howdy, Slinger! You seem to be doing fine. I'm sure glad. How about a little talk?"

"Suits me, if you do the talkin'," he replied. "Molly is aboot talked out, an' I never had nuthin' to say."

Whereupon Jim sat down next to Molly, and took time to settle himself comfortably.

"We'll be riding you into Flag, pronto," began Jim.

"Say, I don't hanker aboot thet. I'd only meet up with Bray. An' fact is, I'll be sorta sick fer a while."

"Bray won't get near you," went on Jim, warming to his subject. "But Doc Shields will. We'll take Molly along an' go right to Uncle Jim's ranch.--And send for your father and mother to come up... You see, Slinger, it's this way. Molly and I will be getting married in a--a year or so"--here a half-stifled gasp at his elbow disrupted him--"and you know she's pretty much of a kid. We won't let her go back to the Cibeque--ever--except, of course, on visits--and you just ought to be where you can see her often."

"I reckon I ought," agreed Dunn.

"Fine. I thought you'd agree. Now, here's another angle. Do you happen to know the Yellow Jacket ranch?"

"I shore do."

"What kind of a place is it?"

"Wal, no ranch to brag aboot--only a cabin an' corrals. But, Lord! what a range! Water an' grass an' timber!"

Jim really needed no more than the light of Slinger's eyes.

"Uncle has turned it over to me, lock, stock, and barrel," laughed Jim.

"Only three thousand head of cattle. But great possibilities for development... Now, Slinger, I want you to go in with me--be my partner in making a big ranch out of the Yellow Jacket."

Dunn grew quite red in the face for him.

"Molly, is this heah fellar of yours drunk or crazy?" he asked, turning to her.

"I--I don't quite know--Arch," she faltered. "But I reckon you can trust him."

Jim had further impetus to his enthusiasm. A small trembling hand slipped into his and clung.

"Sure there's a string to the offer, Slinger. There always is--in business deals. Sure it's a big chance for you--not to say how wonderful for Molly. But I'm quite selfish in the matter. You're more than worth the deal to me, provided, of course, you agree to my terms."

Jim felt another pressing little hand stealing up around him, over his shoulder.

"Alia. An' what's them terms, Jim Traft?" queried Dunn. "Do you happen to know Jed Stone?" counter-queried Jim.

"I shore ought to. Jed an' me drawed on each other aboot a year ago.

Reckon we was so durn scared we missed. But we hevn't met since."

"Do you know his Hash Knife outfit?"

"Better'n anyone who rides the Diamond."

"Well, it was Jed Stone and his outfit who cut the last nine miles of our fence. And he has cut his brand on the aspens. Next spring we'll go back on the job. Slinger, to complete that fence and keep it up, I need you.

Savvy? Will you throw in with me and the Diamond?"

"Gawd! Jest gimme the chanct!" replied Dunn, hoarsely.

"Here's my hand. And with it is an end of the bad blood between us."

When Jim extended that hand he naturally released the little one that had clung tighter and tighter to his. Suddenly, while he came to grips with Slinger, and their eyes met in the understanding of men, this little hand flashed up before him to lock with the other hand behind him. As he had reason to remember, these little members were strong, and now he had more proof of that. Moreover, Molly's arms were inseparable from them, and they twined and twined. "Mizzourie Jim!" she whispered. And between Jim and Slinger, while yet their hands gripped, intervened a pale little face, with wet eyes, dark in passionate gratitude, with red parted lips that came up and up and up--

"Wal, Jim, I reckon thet'll be aboot all," said Slinger Dunn.

THE END

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