Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-13

"Harm!" broke in one of the ranch
men, with demonstratively loud laugh.
alarm be bowed! What harm could
you do, I'd ike to know? If the mas
ter'n only say the word, we'd break you
heads In minute"
Quiet, now, Dick" interposed the
overseer; but the other hands growled
approval, and Perry's eyes flashed with
anger at the insult. What reply he
might have made was checked by the
sight of Sergt. Leary throwing himself
from the saddle and tossing his reins &c
one of the men. He knew well enough
what that meant, and sprang instantly
in front of him.
Back to your horse, sir. Back, In
stantly!" for the sergeant's face was fierce
with rage Mount, say!' added the
lieutenant, as the sergeant still hesitated,
and even the sense of discipline could not
keep the mounted troopers from NUT
tered word of encouragement. Slowly,
wrathfully, reluctantly, the soldier
obeyed. once turning furiously back as
! ieering taunts were hurled at him from
J =.
manager Now move off with Your
men to the gate. Leave my horse, and
/ wait for me there. Co." added the young
officer, sternly; and, with bitter NORTH
! cation at heart and a curse stifled on his
| quivering lips, the Irishman turned his
horses head away and slowly walked him
in the indicated direction.
Now, Mr. Manager" said Perry,
/ turning fierceiy upon the younger Eng
! lishlnan, Il have done nv best TO re-
strain my men; do you look out for
| yours. You have allowed them to insul.
me and mine, and you may thank your
stfss that discipline prevailed with my
pec)le, though you have nothing of the
/ kind here"
Your men have cut down our fences,
by your order, presume, said the man
ager, coolly, land it's lucky for them
they got out of the way when they did.
We have right to protect our property
and eject intruders, and
Il came here to inquire for missing
mana right even an Englishman can
not deny us on these prairies. We had
excellent reason to believe him injured,
and thought, not knowing you for the
inhospitable gang you are, that he might
have been carried in here for treatment:
there was no other place. Your pro-
| prletor tells me he is not here. After
what I've seen of your people. have
reason to be still more anxious about
him. Scant mercy single trooper
would have had at their hands Now
ask you, Do you know or have you heard
of a cavalry soldier being seen around
here during the day?'
Perry was standing holding his horse
by the curb as he spoke, facing the par
lor windows and confronting the angry
group of ranchmen. Within, though
nearer the window than he had left him,
was the bent form of the owner of Dun
raven. leaning on his cane and apparent
ly impatiently striving to make himself
heard as he came forward Before the
manager could answer, he was compel
led to turn about and rebuke his men,
two of whom were especially truculent
and menacing. Finally he spoke:
Il have heard nothing, but | tell you
frankly that if any of your men have
been prowling around here it's more thar
probable some one has got hurt. Has
there been any trouble today, mens" he
asked.
by God. there will be if this ranch
isn't cleared in five minutes" was the
only answer.
Don make an ass of yourself. Hoke.'
Growied the manager. They are going
quick enough"
Il am going" said Perry, swinging
lightly into saddle: land mind You this.
sir: | go with well warranted s.lspicion
that some of these DULLES of y,%rs have
been responsible for the non-appearance
of nv stable sergeant. IF he is not found
this night you may confidently look 70,
another visit. | say that to YOU also.
Mr. Maitland. and you owe it to our for
bearance that there has been no blood
shed here tonight"
Old Maitland's tremulous tones were
heard but a second in reply when he was
interrupted by coarse voice from the
crowd Of ranchmen, by this time in
creased to nearly dozen men. Some
of them were gathering about Perry as
he sat in the saddle, and an applauding
echo followed the loud interruption:
Give the swell lift. Tummy: twill
teach him better manners"
Almost instantly Perry felt his right
bending at the stirrup. He had heard
of the trick before Many time has
the London cad endorsed the English
trooper, taken unawares, by hurting him
with sudden lift from below But Perry
was quick and active as cat. Seat and
saddle, too, were in his favor He sim
ply threw his weight on the left foot and
his bride hand upon the pommel let the
night leg swing over the horses back un-
til released from the brawny hand, then
back it came as he settled again in the
saddle. his powerful thighs gripping like
a wise: At the same instant. and before
his assailant could duck 10 earth and slip
out of the way. he had whipped out the
heavy Colts revolver and brought its
butt with stunning crash down on the
ranchman's defcnseless head.
There was instant rush and commotion.
In vain Old Maitland feebly piped his
protests from the veranda: in vain the
overseer seized and held back one or two
of the men and furiously called off the
rest Aided by the darkness which
yelled them. the others made a simuIta-
neous rush upon the young officer and
sought TO drag him from his plunging
horse Perry held his r,tstf,I b5vh IN air