Then, the fact that two of the T-Bar-T men had been killed
rather quieted the public mind, which expressed itself as pretty well
satisfied that old man Annersley's account was squared. He or the boy
had "got" two of the enemy. In fact, it was more or less of a joke on
the T-Bar-T outfit--they should have known better.
An inquest decided that Annersley had come to his death at the hands of
parties unknown. The matter was eventually shunted to one of the many
legal sidings along the single-track law that operated in that
vicinity. Annersley's effects were sold at auction and the proceeds
used to bury him. His homestead reverted to the Government, there
being no legal heir. Young Pete was again homeless, save for the
kindness of the storekeeper, who set him to work helping about the
place.
In a few months Pete was seemingly over his grief, but he never gave up
the hope that some day he would find the man who had killed his pop.
In cow-camp and sheep-camp, in town and on the range, he had often
heard reiterated that unwritten law of the outlands: "If a man tried to
get you--run or fight.
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