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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>He has killed one of our drovers and corrupted alot
of yours an raided yore cattle!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then Mum snapped: Bingham Slyter, Ididnt hold it
against Sterl.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The rain had ceased except for a drizzle, but
theovercast sky predicted continuous downpour.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I can land here, somewhere if you rope
me.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Two ridersemerged from the impenetrable
black.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Butthat discovery did not by any means convince
Stanley Dann. Fellers, thet big dry wash has been raisin all the time.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then he watched the river for a slatch, and
urgedKing into deep water. Red and Slyter returned from the Dann camp, and Slyter
said: Saddle up,all hands.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I heahedOrmiston say he was a
bushranger.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Were wastin time, an well know for shorepronto.
Thatafternoon white clouds, like ships at sea, sailed over the ranges to
thenortheast.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>That part of hisface not covered with dirt and
blood was ashen white and clammy. Hes gonna persuade Ormiston to drive his herd back
on thisside, before the river rises.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Say, pard, the kid would have smacked the daylights
out of you but forme, he said.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then he mounted a fraction of a secondbehind Sterl.
A big herd of cattle, densely packed,had been run along this course, to go over the
bank. I stepped up on thewheel, so I could look down at her.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>But out here, after what weve gone through, Isay
hell yes, she could! His ice-blue eyes glinted as he faced Sterl. If you had facts
whydidnt you produce them? Folks, am I gettin balmy or is it hot sooner an wusser
than yestiddymawnin?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Fellers, thet big dry wash has been raisin all the
time. I stepped up on thewheel, so I could look down at her.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then Mum snapped: Bingham Slyter, Ididnt hold it
against Sterl.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>That awful odor of the blast furnace
closed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sterlgot his field glass from under a flap of the
tent.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>You may expect us back with Beryl bynightfall, or
tomorrow at the latest. Folks, am I gettin balmy or is it hot sooner an wusser than
yestiddymawnin? Strong hands pulled Sterl and his burden up on the bank. Sterl
released his strain on the bridle and thumped King hard in theflanks.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If he took Beryl on horseback wed runhim down.
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