THE END OF SWING'S STORY 149 



killing would prove for him a way to happiness or 

 the road to a hopeless hell. I was answered, in part, 

 a few weeks later, when the news of the packer's 

 suicide reached us. He had gone out on bail, fur- 

 nished by a cattleman he knew, taken a room at the 

 hotel, locked the door, and shot himself. 



The tragedy shocked us inexpressibly. We could 

 think of nothing else for a time. Knowing more 

 than the others of Kwing's story, I felt sick over the 

 affair for days. Then, the first sudden horror of the 

 shooting over, we began to consider its practical re- 

 sults. E wing's place must be filled, and at once. 

 But Jackson, as soon as the question was broached, 

 set Frazer's mind at rest on this point. 



"I 'phoned to Johns at Silver," he said, "as soon 

 as I heard of the matter, and he told me to ride up 

 and help you until you can get another man. 

 There's not much doing in the district right now 

 anyway, and Eandolph at Fierro can look after 

 things here for a while. I wouldn't be surprised if 

 the Supervisor would let me finish out the job with 

 your outfit. The fire season is over and he's cutting 

 out all unnecessary men at this time anyway." 



That, as it turned out, was just what occurred; 

 Jackson remained with us until we struck for Silver 

 City. 



