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"Wal!that beats me holler, too," ejaculated Colter

"Jierly "If we're sharp we can corral that half-breed He's the last of the Isbels"

"More, pard He's the last of the Isbel outfit," declared Colter "If y'u can show me blood in his tracks I'll trail him"

"Y'u can bet I'll show y'u," rejoined the other rustler "But listen! Wouldn't it be better for us first to see if he crossed the canyon? I reckon he didn't But let'sthat west canyon wall He's not got no gun He'd never run thet way if he had Jim, he's our meat!"

"Shore, he'll have that knife," pondered Colter

"We needn't worry about thet," said the other, positively "He's hard hit, I tell y'u All we got to do is find thet bloody trail again an' stick to it--goin' careful He's layin' low like a crippled wolf"

"Springer, I want the job of finishin' that half-breed," hissed Colter "I'd give ten years of un down his throat an' shoot it off"

"All right Let's rustle Mebbe y'u'll not have to give much more 'n ten minnits Because I tell y'u I can find him It'd been easy--but, Jim, I reckon I was afraid"

"Leave your hoss for o ahaid," the rustler then said, brusquely "I've a job in the cabin heah"

"Ha!Wal, Jim, I'll rustle a bit down the trail an' wait No huntin' Jean Isbel alone--not fer me I've had a queer feelin' about thet knife he used on Greaves An' I reckon y'u'd oughter let thet Jorth hussy alone long enough to--"

"Springer, I reckon I've got to hawg-tie her--" His voice beca away of theto catch every syllable while his gaze rested upon Ellen who stood beside the door Every line of her body denoted a listening intensity Her back was toward Jean, so that he could not see her face And he did not want to see, but could not help seeing her naked shoulders She put her head out of the door Suddenly she drew it in quickly and half turned her face, slowly raising her white arm This was the left one and bore the ers