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"An' if it's true it shore makes this difference--we cain't blame all the rustlin' on to Jorth," concluded Blue

"Wal, it's not true," declared Gaston Isbel, roughly "Jorth an' his Hash Knife Gang are at the bottom of all the rustlin' in the valley for years back An' they've got to be wiped out!"

"Isbel, I reckon we'd all feel better if we talk straight," replied Blue, coolly "I'm heah to stand by the Isbels An' y'u knohat thet ht Jorth because he may be a rustler The others may have their own reasons, but mine is this--you once stood by me in Texas when I was needin' friends Wal, I'm standin' by y'u now Jorth is your enemy, an' so he is mine"

Gaston Isbel bowed to this ultiitated than when Esther Isbel had denounced him His rabid and morbid hate of Jorth had eaten into his heart to take possession there, like the parasite that battened upon the life of its victiray eyes, showed the unbiased truth of the ain, but in a differentat him that other men must suffer, perhaps die, for his hate And the very soul of the old rancher apparently rose in Passionate revolt against the blind, headlong, eleth of his nature So it seere through his father Was it too late? Alas! Gaston Isbel could never be turned back! Yet so, fixed et down to business I'm for havin' Blue be foreman of this heah outfit, an' all of us to do as he says"

Gaston Isbel opposed this selection and indeed resented it He intended to lead the Isbel faction

"All right, then Give us a hunch e're goin' to do," replied Blaisdell

"We're goin' to ride off on Jorth's trail--an' one way or another--kill hiht"

What did old Isbel have in his mind? His listeners shook their heads

"No," asserted Blaisdell "Killin' Jorth ht be the end of your desires, Isbel, but it 'd never end our fight We'll have gone too far If we take Jorth's trail fro, or stay to the last man"