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at the warm confiding pressure of the arm about his neck。
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CHAPTER II
BRICK MAKES A MOVE
As Kansas Kimball raised his weapon to fire； the man before him
uttered a cry of terror and began to entreat for his life。 In the full light of
the dazzling moon； his face showed all the pallor； all the contortions of a
coward who； though believing himself lost； has not the resolution to mask
his fear。 He poured forth incoherent promises of secrecy； ejaculations of
despair and frenzied assurances of innocence。
〃Hold on； Kansas！〃 interposed Red。 〃There's not a one of the bunch
believes that story about the last wagon getting away； and the dying wife。
We know this Gledware is a spy； whatever he says； and that he brought the
kid along for protection。 He knew if we got back to No…Man's Land we
couldn't be touched； not being under no jurisdiction； and he wanted to find
us with our paint and feathers off。 He's a sneaking dog； and a bullet's too
good for him。 But 〃with an oath〃blessed if he don't hate to die worse
than any man ever I saw！ I don't mind to spare him a few minutes if he's
agreeable。 I put it to himwould he rather the kid be put out of the way
first； and him afterwards； or does he want the first call？〃
〃For God's sake； put it off as long as you will！〃 quavered the prisoner。
〃I swear I'm no spy。 I swear〃
〃This is unpleasant；〃 the captain of the highwaymen interposed。 〃Just
you say another word； and I'll put daylight into you with my own hand。
Stand there and keep mum； and I'll give you a little breathing space。〃
Kansas； not without a sigh of relief； lowered his weapon and looked
questioningly at his brother。 The shadow of the log cabin was upon him；
making more sinister his uncouth attire； and his lean vindictive face under
the huge Mexican hat。 Gledware； not daring to move； kept his eyes fixed
on that deep gloom out of which at any moment might spurt forth the red
flash of death。 From within the cabin came loud oaths inspired by cards or
drink； as if the inmates would drown any calls for mercy or sounds of
execution that might be abroad in the night。
〃Now； Brick Willock；〃 the leader spoke grimly； 〃take your turn first。
That kid's got to die； and you are to do the trick； and do it without any
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foolishness。〃
〃I can't；〃 Willock declared doggedly。
〃Oh； yes； yes； you can； Brick。 You see； we can't 'tend to no infant class；
and I ain't hard…hearted enough to leave a five…year…old girl to die of
hunger on the prairie； nor do I mean to take her to no town or stage…station
as a card for to be tracked by。 Oh； yes； you can； Brick； and now's the
time。〃
〃Red；〃 exclaimed Willock desperately； 〃I tell you fair； and I tell you
foul； that this little one lives as long as I do。〃
〃And what do you aim to do with her； eh； Brick？〃
Willock made no reply。 He had formed no plans for his future； or for
that of the child； but his left arm closed more tightly about her。
〃Now； Brick；〃 said Red slowly； 〃this ain't the first time you have
proved yourself no man for our business； and I call Kansas to witness
you've brought this on yourself〃
Without finishing his sentence； Red swiftly raised his arm and fired
pointblank at Willock's head as it was defined above the sleeping form。
Though famed as an orator； Red understood very well that； at times； action
is everything； and there is death in long speaking。 He was noted as a man
who never missed his mark； and in the Cimarron country； which belonged
to no state and therefore to no court； extensive and deadly had been his
practise； without fear of retribution。
Now； however； his bullet had gone astray。 The few words to which he
had treated himself as an introduction to the intended deed had proved his
undoing。 They had been enough to warn Willock of what was coming； and
just before Kansas had been called on 〃to witness；〃 that is an instant
before Red fired； Willock had sent a bullet through the threatening wrist。
The two detonations were almost simultaneous； and Red's roar of pain； as
he dropped his weapon； rang out as an accompaniment to the crash of
firearms。
The next instant； Willock； with a second shot from his six…shooter；
stretched Kansas on the ground； then； rushing forward with reversed
weapon； he brought the butt down on Red's head with such force as to
deprive him of consciousness。 So swift and deadly were his movements；
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so wild his appearance as； with long locks streaming in the wind and huge
black whiskers hiding all but glittering eyes； aquiline nose and a brief
space of tough red skinso much more like a demon than a man； it was no
wonder that the child； awakened by the firing； screamed with terror at
finding her head pressed to his bosom。
〃Come！〃 Willock called breathlessly to the prisoner who still stood
with his back to the moon； as if horror at what he had just witnessed
rendered him as helpless as he had been from sheer terror。 Still holding the
screaming child； he darted to the ponies that were tied to the projecting
logs of the cabin and hastily unfastened two of the fleetest。
Henry Gledware； awakened as from a trance； bounded to his side。
Willock helped him to mount； then placed the child the saddle in front of
him。
〃Ride！〃 he urged hoarsely； 〃ride for your life！ They ain't no other
chance for you and the kid and they ain't no other chance for me。〃
He leaped upon the second pony。
〃Which way？〃 faltered Gledware； settling in the saddle and grasping
the bridle； but without the other's practised ease。
〃Follow the moonI'll ride against the windmore chance for one of
us if we ain't together。 Start when I do； for when they hear the horses
they'll be out of that door like so many devils turned loose on us。 Ride；
pardner； ride； and save the kid for God's sake！ Nowoff we go！〃
He gave Gledware's pony a vicious cut with his lariat； and drove the
spurs into his own bronc