Page:Max Brand--The Seventh Man.djvu/149

Rh “How's that?” This from Haines. “One of your gang dropped?”

“He is.”

They followed him and stood presently beside the body. Aside from the red mark in the forehead he seemed asleep, and smiling at some pleasant dream; a handsome fellow in the strength of first manhood, this man who was the second to die for Grey Molly.

“It's the end of Dan Barry,” said Buck. “Lee, we'll never have Whistlin' Dan for a friend again. He's wild for good.”

The sheriff turned and eyed him closely.

“He's got to come back,” said Haines. “He's got to come back for the sake of Kate.”

“He'd better be dead for the sake of Kate,” answered Buck.

“Why, partner, this isn't the first time he's gone wild.”

“Don't you see, Lee?”

“Well?”

“He's fighting to kill. He's shooting to kill, and he ain't ever done that before. He crippled his men; he put 'em out of the way with a busted leg or a plugged shoulder; but now he's out to finish 'em. Lee, he'll never come back.”

He looked to the white face of Vic Gregg, standing by, and he said without anger; “Maybe it ain't your fault, but you've started a pile of harm. Look at these