Brand Blotters

"Aw! That ain't news. He's started back after them again. Left jes' a

little while ago. I saw him go--him 'n' Farnum 'n' Charley Hymer 'n' Hal

Yarnell 'n' Mr. Bellamy."

"Bet they git 'em."

"Bet they don't."

"Aw, course they'll git 'em, Tom."

The other youngster assumed an air of mystery. He swelled his chest and

strutted a step or two nearer. Urbane condescension oozed from him.

"Say, Jimmie. C'n you keep a secret?"

"Sure. Course I can."

"Won't ever snitch?"

"Cross my heart."

"Well, then--I'm Black MacQueen, the captain of the Roaring Fork bad

men."

"You!" Incredulity stared from Jimmie's bulging eyes.

"You betcher. I'm him, here in disguise as a kid."

The magnificent boldness of this claim stole Jimmie's breath for an

instant. He was two years younger than his friend, but he did not quite

know whether to applaud or to jeer. Before he could make up his mind a

light laugh rippled to them from behind the vines on the Lee porch.

The disguised outlaw and his friend were startled. Both fled swiftly, with

all the pretense of desperate necessity young conspirators love to

assume.

Melissy went into the house and the laughter died from her lips. She knew

that either her father's posse or that of Jack Flatray would come into

touch with the outlaws eventually. When the clash came there would be a

desperate battle. Men would be killed. She prayed it might not be one of

those for whom she cared most.