Reputation

by W. C. Tuttle

Reputation

by W. C. Tuttle

Author of “Tramps of the Range,” “The Misdeal,” etc.

“El Tigre! Madre de Dios!” A man must indeed have the soul of a devil to draw such an exclamation at the mere mention of his name.

“The Tiger! Mother of God!”

We of Santa Ynez, a little handful of folks living in a little mission village, near the Mexican border, knew him only by reputation. But that was enough.

Riders dropped in at the little cantina and over their cups of tequila or warm beer would tell us of some new deviltry done by Jeff Tigard, the killer. And Felipe’s hands trembled as he drew the beer, while we laughed at him for being such a coward.

What would the Tiger do in Santa Ynez, we asked each other. There is nothing for him here.

“Who knows, señores?” trembled Felipe. “Always the tales come closer to Santa Ynez. Some day he will come.”