He had often seen
the unshod and unbranded ponies of the high country run along a trail
for a mile or so and then dash off across the open. Of course, if the
posse took the direct trail to the border, paying no attention to
tracks, they would eventually overtake him. Pete was done with the
companionship of men who allowed the wanton killing of a man like
Annersley to go unpunished. He knew that if he were caught, he would
most probably be hanged or imprisoned for the shooting of Gary--if he
were not killed in being taken. The T-Bar-T interests ruled the
courts. Moreover, his reputation was against him. Ever since the raid
on Annersley's place Pete had been pointed out as the "kid who stood
off the raiders and got two of them." And Pete knew that the very folk
who seemed proud of the fact would be the first to condemn him for the
killing of Gary. He was outlawed--not for avenging the death of his
foster-father, but actually because he had defended his own life, a
fact difficult to establish in court and which would weigh little
against the evidence of the six or eight men who had heard him
challenge Gary at the round-up.
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