The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-20
THE MORNING NEWS: MONDAY. AUGUST 20, 1883.

accurately as literally to dodge the shower
OF bullets poured upon him. Under the
circumstances, he had little opportunity to
use his own weapon, and as has
law made four shots before it was
possible for Morse 10 return the fire. When
at length he did manage to shoot, his bail
struck the pistol in Soto's hand, disabling it
in such a manner that its chambers would
no longer revolve, and driving the barrel
violently against the desperado's cheek. 1t
Is supposed also that the shock OF the bullet
temporarily paralyzed the mans arm, for
he dropped his hands to his sides, and i'm
medlately turning on his heel, dashed back
into the house from whence he came. As
he ran the recreant deputy, Wirchell, re-
covered himself sufficiently to take a flying
shot at the outlaw, but the charge went
wide of its mark, lodging only in the adobe
wall of the house. Why he did not fire
upon Soto when the latter was engaged
with Morse can only be explained upon the
supposition that tho man was paralyzed
with fear, for he had every opportunity,
and mi ght have dropped the desperate in
his tracks
Upon the return of Soto, Morse turned
and ran back at the top of his speed to the
point where he had left his horse, bent upon
recovering his Henry rife. Returning at
once, he had reached the northern corner
of the corral when Soto again emerged from
the house-a six-shooter in either hand
and made dash for his horse, which stood
saddled and bridled under tree near by.
The subtle cunning and presence of mind
of the outlaw, even at this critical instant
or his career, now stood prominently forth.
Although scarcely a moment had elapsed
between his entrance and exit from the
house, he had in that brief time thrown off
his conspicuous blue overcoat and compelled
God l.. I.,l-
recovered his hat and secured two extra
revolverS. He undoubtedly counted upon
deceiving the officers, in the excitement of
the moment, by this sudden Change of
guise, and hoped so to distract their atten-
ton as to secure time for escape. Morse,
however, saw through the ruse at once.
For Gods sake, JUAN" he cried, as the
latter made frantic efforts TO reach his
horse, throw down your pistols. There
has been shooting enough"
But the outlaw paid no heed, and Morse
had already brought his rifle to his shout
der, intending to shoot the horse, when the
mad rush of the desperate stampeded the
animal, causing it to break its fastening
and dash away down the canyon.
For second Soto stood bewildered then,
recovering himself, he turned ard ran
directly away from the officer, and down
the mountain, to point where he had a Sec
ond horse tethered, being accompanied as
he ran by the confederate in the blue over
coat
Sheriff Harris, in the mean time, had
come up in hot haste to the support of his
brother officer, and being deceived by the
overcoat, was on the point of firing upon
its wearer. Morse, however, with cool
ness and consideration which appear most
remarkable under tho circumstances, per-
coived his intention and stopped him. Har-
ris then fired at Soto but missed.
The two fugitives were now fully $50
yards distant, ana moving away at the top
of their speed, when Morse brought his rifle
to his eye and fired, the ball striking its
victim with a sharp click, and passing
through the outlaws right shoulder.
Stung to desperation by the wound, Soto
now abandoned all hope of escape, and
turning in his tracks cameright back toward
the officers, with the appalling determination
stamped upon his features to kill some one
or die himself in the attempt. Again Morse
called upon him to throw down lis arms,
but appeals were vain to the maddened
outlaw. The Indian in his nature was up
permOSt. With that grim Indifference to
danger, born of supreme desperation, he
charged straight down on his enemies
Seeing that entreaties were useless, and
that the man could not be taken alive
Morse again raised his rife, and taking de
liberate aim, sent bullet crashing through
the outlaws skull.