CHAPTER IV.

SAD ANITA--THE MINE LOCATER--TROUBLE


Straight toward the door of the saloon he marched, the muzzles of the
grim sixes clearing a path to him; for Ned Harris had become
notorious in Deadwood for his coolness, courage and audacity. It had
been said of him that he would "just es lief shute a man as ter look
at 'im," and perhaps the speaker was not far from right.

Anyway, he led off through the savage-faced audience with a composure
that was remarkable, and, strange to say, not a hand was raised to
stop him until he came face to face with Catamount Cass and his gang;
here was where the youth had expected molestation and hindrance, if
anywhere.

Catamount Cass was a rough, illiterate "tough" of the mountain
species, and possessed more brute courage than the general run of his
type of men, and a bull-dog determination that made him all the more
dangerous as an enemy.

Harry Redburn kept close at Ned Harris' heels, a cocked "six" in
either hand ready for any emergency.

It took but a few moments before the two parties met, the "Cattymount"
throwing out his foot to block the path.