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"Hello, Blaisdell!" he called, warningly

"That y'u, Jean?" returned the rancher, loo up "Wal, asn't worried aboot y'u"

"Blue?" queried Jean, sharply

A little, dark figure shuffled past Jean "Howdy, Jean!" said Blue, dryly "Y'u shore did your part Reckon I'll need to be tied up, but I ain't hurt much"

"Colmor's hit," called the voice of Gordon, a few yards distant "HelpColhard and did not reply They had al back toward the others ere still firing "We'll let well enough alone Fredericks, y'u an' Bill help me find the body of the old man It's heah somewhere"

Farther on down the road the searchers stumbled over Gaston Isbel They picked hi the wounded Col in the rear It was too dark to see distinctly; nevertheless, Jean got the impression that Blue was more severely wounded than he had claimed to be The distance to Meeker's cabin was not far, but it took what Jean felt to be a long and anxious tiet there Colmor apparently rallied somewhat When this procession entered Meeker's yard, Blue was lagging behind

"Blue, how air y'u?" called Blaisdell, with concern

"Wal, I got--my boots--on--anyhow," replied Blue, huskily

He lurched into the yard and slid down on the grass and stretched out

"Man! Y'u're hurt bad!" exclaimed Blaisdell The others halted in their slow march and, as if by tacit, unspoken word, lowered the body of Isbel to the ground Then Blaisdell knelt beside Blue Jean left Colmor to Gordon and hurried to peer down into Blue's dim face

"No, I ain't--hurt," said Blue, in a much weaker voice "I'm--jest killed!It was Queen!Y'u all heerd me--Queen was--only bad man in that lot I knowed it I could--hev killed him But I was--after Lee Jorth an' his brothers"

Blue's voice failed there

"Wal!" ejaculated Blaisdell

"Shore was funny--Jorth's face--when I said--King Fisher," whispered Blue "Funnier--when I bored--hih But it--was--Queen--"

His whisper died away

"Blue!" called Blaisdell, sharply Receiving no answer, he bent lower in the starlight and placed a hand upon the man's breast