The Bad Man

ave started forth-he was sure of that now. But the flame of youth was in him, the sure sense that he could conquer where others had miserably failed; and, like all virile young Americans, he ha

ren beckoned, and

ad not shaped themselves as he had planned. Event piled upon event,

hat, mentally; pottering in the shed; looking at his horses-the few that were left!-smili

hat God was in His heaven and all was right with the world. No, indeed! He was just a normal, regular fellow, ready to face a difficult situation when it came about as

ding about it, and then instantly dismissing it from his mind as of no consequence. He never connected himself with so remote an event. Yet a few years l

d out over the blue hills, heavy with hea

ntry fit to live in. There would have developed a feeling of permanence and peace, and a young chap could have made his plans for the future with some sense of security and high optimism. Surely they were entitled to protection-these brave boys and stalwart sons of America who fearlessly took up claims, staked all, and strove t

sed four head of cattle, and brought them himself to this ranch he had purchased

e line. He recalled how, after one raid, in which a good citizen had been foully murdered in his bed, he had ca

helped any cause. They were not na?ve enough to expect the Secretary of State to come down in person and see to the mending of things. But a platoon of soldiers-a handful of troops-would have worked wonders. Jones always contended that not a shot would have to be fired;

atchword-or the catchword. And the

e about "some nice folks down the line," but he hadn't heard much of what he said. There were always a hundred and one odd jobs to be done around the place-something was forever needing attention; and when Uncle Henry wasn't grumbling about something, he was forcing his nephew to play checkers or crib

s lest the invading Mexicans should get any of it away from him. His holdings, in the eight years since he had come to the border, amounted to several thousand well-cultivated acres; and he looked like a man who, when he set out to get anything, would get it. He had an inordinate desire to grab up some more

e depredations of Mexico's casual visitors, and was ready to protect not only his own interests but those of any newcomers. He seemed to have the spirit of fair-mindedness; and he believed

e was no shadow of doubt as to that. He had struck oil himself, and had made a goodly extra pile. Now, unknown to young Jones, he was casting envious eyes on h

p his mortgage? What were neighbors for, if not to come

ent. It was better so, thought Gilbert. Better to be foreclosed by a friendly neighbor, who might hesitate

ell, he'd take his medicine like a man. He