The sheriff of Sun-Dog

It was a hot day in Marlin City, the county seat of Sun-Dog County. It had often been said that there was only one tree between Marlin City and the Arctic Circle to break the north winds of Winter, and that the aforementioned tree was too far north to afford Marlin City any shade during the Summer.

At the hitch-rack, in front of the Dollar Down saloon and gambling hall, stood a forlorn looking saddle-horse, head down, as though seeking the shade of its own body. A long lean dog of nondescript breed slouched along the hot board sidewalk, hunting a shady spot. From Le Blanc’s blacksmith shop came the odors of burning hoof, as the muscular French-Canadian swore at the stifling heat and tried to fit a hot shoe to the hoof of a half-broke bronco.

Inside the sheriff’s office sat “Brick” Davidson, the new sheriff, and his deputy “Silent” Slade. The former sheriff, “Bunty” Blair, had appointed Brick as his deputy, and had resigned in Brick’s favor. Bunty was glad to resign. Sun-Dog was no place for a weak-kneed sheriff, such as Bunty Blair. There was nothing weak about Brick Davidson. His flaming thatch of bright, brick-colored hair, a thin freckled nose, and an indomitable view of right and wrong, bade fair to make changes in cowland. Sun-Dog County did not elect Brick Davidson, although they had a chance at the last election. Sun-Dog followed the lines of least resistance and elected Bunty Blair.

In fact, Brick had received the whole sum of seven votes--including his own. Lafe Freeman, owner of the Nine Bar Nine outfit, of which Brick had been foreman, stated that Brick knew too much to get elected sheriff.

Bunty’s resignation and Brick’s appointment had been ratified by a majority of the board of county commissioners. Bill Voorhies, owner of the Lazy H outfit, and the acknowledged leader of the commissioners, was not in favor of Brick’s appointment, but the board had acted in the absence of Voorhies and he could do nothing less than agree.

Voorhies was a ponderous sort of person, loud of mouth, slow of action, and desiring power above all things. In the past three months he had shipped a great number of beef cattle, and was entertaining a buyer at the time Brick was appointed. He bossed the county commissioners and bragged of the fact. Voorhies might have become a big politician and a power in the State, but----

Through sound reasoning Brick had cleared Scott Martin and his adopted daughter, Jean, of all complicity in the robbery of the Whippoorwill stage, and had succeeded in bringing retribution where retribution was due. Two men had paid the penalty with their lives, while the third, Zell Mohr, had been given a life sentence, but in trying to escape from the train on the way to the penitentiary had been instantly killed. Incidentally, Brick had won the thousand dollar reward. It had been a big day in Marlin City, but after the smoke of battle cleared away, Marlin City and Sun-Dog County settled down to the humdrum existence of cow country and small cow town. It was all in a day’s work. Few men gave Brick credit for doing anything out of the ordinary. He was just Brick Davidson, cowpuncher; rather fast with a gun, and ready of wit. Brick lived to grin.

He had an overdeveloped sense of humor, which, at times, grated on the sensibilities of slower thinkers. When it was announced that Brick had been appointed sheriff to succeed Bunty Blair, many of the graybeards shook their heads. Sun-Dog County needed a wiser, cooler head. Brick’s hair was too red. He’d last quick. Brick heard some of the mumblings, and confided to Silent Slade.

“They’re scared of me, Silent, don’t yuh know it?”

“Well,” Silent had replied, “well, hadn’t they ought to, Brick?”

* * * * *

Silent’s reply was very matter of fact. Silent did not try to be funny. He worshiped Brick, and trailed him around like a great dog--a dog six feet six inches tall, built in proportion, with a long crooked nose and a big humorous mouth. His hands were big and ungainly, but they lost their clumsiness when called upon to reach for the big, black-handled Colt .44 which swung from their owner’s hip. In that respect they were very capable. Just now, Silent was perusing some old reward notices, while Brick spelled out a typewritten letter which Silent had brought from the post-office.