Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-05-30
No thought of Caddo Bill had crossed |


No thought of Caddo Bill had crossed
the boys mind since leaving home that
morning. Like his father, Bruce had
thought it hardly probable that the
murderer would attempt so far to the
northward in case he had escaped re-
capture.
Silently as a panther stealing upon its
prey, and relentlessly as death itself,
Caddo Bill crept nearer and nearer.
Barely twenty feet separated the
murderer and his victim. The Indian 3
face was drawn in grimace of fearful
vindictiveness. His arm was drawn
back for the deadly blow-his muscles
contracted for the final spring.
Suddenly there was rustic of shrub
berry, and the rush of flying feet, and
some heavy object was hurled against
the crouching Indian from the rear,
dashing him forward almost upon the
now thoroughly Bruce. The
missing calf had suddenly appeared up
on the exactly on time-not a
moment too early or too late.
How long Tom had been an interested
observer of Caddo Bills actions, it is,
of course, impossible to state. Evident
AON6NCts tiiG IhZH u Tile
fugitive's scarlet shirt had been con-
strued as a premeditated challenge,
which could not be tamely overlooked,
without doing violence to all the tradi-
tions Of the fighting Hereford s, and the
young champions onslaught was sudden
and irresistible.
Caddo Bills surprise was complete,
and his discontinue increased by the
fact that he was, for an instant, unable
to comprehend the exact identity of his
new assailant, and the momentary delay
allowed Bruce time to thoroughly digest
the danger of the situation. And, there
fore, when the murderer staggered 10
his feet, intent on the further prosecu.
ton of the villainous scheme, young
Webster, without an instant's reflection,
discharged both barrels of his gun in
his assailant's face, and dropping the
now useless weapon, fled from the spot,
without thought of noting the effect OF
his shots.
Ten minutes later, terror stricken and
out of breath, Bruce dashed into the
little dining room at the ranch, where
half a dozen strangers were gathered
about the table-soldiers from Griffin,
who, by the aid of bloodhounds. had
trailed their late prisoner thus far on
his way to liberty.
Hu1Tiedly the boy told his story, ami
in an inconceiynbly short space of time,
found himself seated ON a fiery cavalry
horse, behind the lieutenant in com
mand of the squad, guiding them TO the
scene of his late encounter.
Caddo Bill was found without diff.
Guilty, not dead, as Bruce had begun to
fear, but so badly disabled by handful
of bird shot, in the muscles of his
shoulder, that his capture was easily
effected.
The belligerent calf, Tom, was also
found ON the field of battle, contentedly
cropping the scattered heritage, and
looking as harmless and insignificant as
it was possible for fat, well-grown calf
to appear. He evinced no disinclina-
ton to return to the ranch, but trotted
contentedly along in advance Of the
party, the object of general admiration
from all; and Bruce observed, without
pang of jealousy, that in discussing the
particulars of the late ''scrimmage, the
soldiers accorded to Tom the most of the
credit for the capture, which view of the
matter the last was not disposed to dis
pute, since he felt that to Tom, alone,
he owed his life and safety
However, the reward paid for the re-
capture ef Caddo Bill was accorded to
Bruce by general consent, and with the
money thus obtained he purchased
number of young cattle-the nucleus Of
the large herd, over which the Here
n,
for many years. Yankee Blade.