Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-05-30

inant in his breast and his EYES
glinted ominously as he watched the
boyish form carelessly reclining 20
close to his own hiding-place
Was there ever such good luck! The
greatest cause of uneasiness to Caddo
Bill had been the fact that he had been
forced to begin the fight totally un-
armed; for, although renowned for his
reckless bravery when armed to the
teeth, in his present defenseless condi-
ton he was helpless. Supplied with
but a carbine. some of his pursuers
would have doubtless have felt his
vengeance before this; but without
even so much as a knife. however
small, he had no choice but stealthy,
speedy fight
Was kind fortune about to smile
upon him once more? Here, within
his reach, almost, and to be had for
the mere taking, was a substantial-look-
ing shotgun, just the weapon that he
wanted. Possibly he would have to
commit another murder to secure the
coveted arm. but that was matter of
small moment. On second thought it
would be far the safest plan to kill the
boy and quiet his tongue. Yes; that
was the proper course to pursue
Cautiously he rose to his feet, his
right hand clutching heavy fragment
of granite. All unconscious of his
peril, Bruce sat-half-asleep and half
awake-quite tired of watching for q
squirrel that never appeared but yet
in no particular hurry to journey
homeward.
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 appear so far to the
northward. in case he had escaped re-
capture.
At all events, the redskin would have
no possible reason for mOlesting q
mere boy like himself. So had rea-
soned the inexperienced lad. lulling
his fears to rest by line of argument.
seemingly quite sound, but. in reality,
false and misleading.
Silently as panther stealing upon
his prey, and relentlessly as death it
self, Caddo Bill crept nearer and
nearer.
Barely twenty feet separated the
murderer and his victim. The In
dams face was drawn in a grimace of
fearful vindictiveness His arm was
drawn back for the deadly blow-his
muscles contracted for the final
spring.
Suddenly there was a 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 acknowledgement Bruce The
missing calf had suddenly appeared
upon the scene-exactly on time-not
a moment too early or too late.
How long Tom had been an inter-
ested observer of Caddo Bills actions.
it lis, of course. impossible to state.
Evidently, however, the Haunting rags
of the fugitive's scarlet shirt had been
construed as a premeditated challenge,
which could not be tamely overlooked
without doing violence to all the tradi-
tions of the fighting Herefords, and the
young champions onslaught was sud-
den and irresistible.
Caddo Bills surprise was complete,
and his discontinue was increased by
the fact that he was, for an instant,
unable to comprehend the exact iden-
THY of his new assailant. and the mo-
mentary delay allowed Bruce time to
thoroughly digest the danger of the
situation. And. therefore, when the
murderer staggered to his feet, intent
On the further prosecution of the viii
famous scheme, young Webster. with
out an instant's reflection, discharged
both barrels of his gun in his assail-
ants face. and dropping the now use
less weapon, fed from the spot, with
out q 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 blood
hounds, had trailed their late prisoner
thus far on his way to liberty.
Hurriedly the boy told his story. and
in an inconceivably short space of time
found himself seated on 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 hand |
full of bird shot, in the muscles of his |
shoulder, that his capture was easily |
effected.
The belligerent calf, Tom. was also |