Catoctin clarion., 1884-12-04

the frohtieIsntan. He became superb
horseman and wonderfully skilled in
the use of the six.shooter and Winches-
ter. The rancho adjoining the one
where he was employed was owned by
a man named Flanagan, hot-tenper-
ed, brutal fellow, brave as a lion and
the hero Of many sctapes in which fire.
arms had played an important part
He had killed several men and was
feared and respected accordingly. Wild
Frank met Flanagan at 'round-up.'
They became involved in quarrel
over the ownership of COW. Tower
was cool and polite, but as firm in the
maintenance of his rights as adamant.
Flanagan, accustomed to ride down all
opposition, applied ahh' Insulting epithet
to the boy who had dared to dispute
with him and, seizing his heavy riding
whip, sprang toward him.
"I'll give ye hundred lashes, ye
spindle shsnked puppy, he hissed.
The coyboys glanced at each other
apprehensively, and Franks friends,
not daring to interfere, so much did
they fear Flanagan, trembled for their
companion's safety. The object of the
bully's wrath faced the ruffan cody.
Don't touch me p he cried warming
ly, but Flanagan, with bitter oath
sprang upon the boy, and Selling him
by the collar, was about to administer
the threatened chastisement,
Accounts differ as to how it all oc-
Cured. There was a chorus of curses
and loud cries, fierce struggle, the
onlookers heard the swish swish of the
cuarte, and through the cloud of dust
which enveloped the combatants, saw
Flanagan, writing on the ground, while
Frank, welding the whip with qu o,&
and heavy hand, rained blow after
blow on the bully's head and face. The
sharp lash cut the flesh like knife
and the blood streamed from many
wounds, and, mixing with the choking
dust, blinded the PROSTATE mans eyes,
Several times he endeavored to regain
his feet. but he never succeeded, and
when at last, weak from pain and loss
of blood, he tainted. Wild Frank
threw the bloody whip to the ground
and mounting his horse, rode away
The whole affair had been SO sudden
and unexpected and had resulted so
differently from what the spectators
imagined that the boy had disappeared
behind a roll in the plain before the
ast,nished cowboys recovered their
senses. They raised the unconscious
bully up, washed away the blood and
poured whiskey down his throat. He
recovered sufficiently to be assisted
back to his rancho, and when week
later he was able to leave his bed he
swore big oath and vowed to have
Wild Franks life. Intelligence Ct
Flanigan's purpose was brought to
Frank. He made no counterthreat,
but there was peculiar gleam IN his
eyes which led his informant to believe
that the boy would be ready. About
two weeks later, ut another rancho, tire
two again met. Both were mounted,
and drawing his Winchester from his
scabbard, Frank spurred his horse to-
ward the bully and shouted:
Look out, Flanagan !"
The ranchman raised his rifle, with
wicked look in his small gray eyes,
Both fred at the same time and, still
pressing forward, discharged theil
Winchesters in rapid succession. Elan
igan pitched from his saddle with three
bullets in his body, and, satisfied that
his enemy was dead, Wild Frank rode
to the nearest ranger camp and surren'
dered to the commanding officer. Pub
lie opinion on the frontier has great
influence in court of law, and WILD
Frank was acquitted. The ranger cap
tain had taken u great fancy to the
boy, and he urged him to become
scout. Accordingly he enlisted in T
company OF the frontier battalion. ant
remained in the command seveca
years. 1t was company Of brave men
but none were Drawer than Wild
Frank. With a perfect Disregard fo1
his own safety, he was always in th'
front when dangerous work was to b'
done, and many times risked his life il
defense of IL fellow scout.
When Frank left the rangers he de
termined upon trip through Mexico
and this was one of his numerous ad
ventures in the land of the Montezu
mas: He crossed the Rio Grande a
Presidio del Norte, and amused him
self for four or five days hunting AM