The Press., 1891-03-19
A FIGHT ON THE BORDER.


 boom was in progress at place that I will call San Pedro. It was about POO miles from Denver and not railroad near it. So wenA down by stage worked while at mining, but l didn't make a strike, so drifted down to a small town then known as Cow Gap, but dignified now by longer name. I spent most of my money there, and one day took it into my head to start out on a tramp. l headed for Pueblo, a good way off, know; but I was in no hurry, and as there were several ranches only half days walk apart was not troubled about food and shelter. Folks are very hospitable in the west. l man. aged to get off the right trail while cross ing one of the mountains, and although was on some kind of a wagon road didn't come to any ranch. had some bacon, salt, matches, five pounds of flour and dozen large potatoes with me, so had no trouble in getting dinner. didn't much relish the idea of camping out, as had no blanket, but had about resigned myself to it when saw the smoke of ranch.
 "When I reached the house l was at tackled by two enormous dogs, but beat them off and shouted until a woman ap- peared She seemed surprised and some what annoyed to see me, but when loHered to pay for my board she asked me into the house, where. a man was sitting by huge fire, It seemed that he was simply neigh bor. The master of the house was away, the woman said. The neighbor was just keeping her company during his absence. The neighbor was very sociable, but he tniH md WI out all about me. had nothing to conceal, so I made his pumping process easy work, and when, as I supposed, he was satisfied that it was safe to leave me alone with the woman said good-by to both of us, mount ed his horse and rode away.
 1.-The ranchman was expected home by g. but he had not arrived when the clock struck 10. The woman did not seem un- easy at his absence She and l had been chatting about many things. She had just shown me where 1 could sleep and was preparing to turnin when heard a horses hoofs ringing on the frosty road. 1t struck me that the animal was being ridden for all it was worth, and I wondered whether any accident had befallen my hostess hus- band and if the rider had come laden with bad news The horse was refined up short at the gate leading to the house. peered out through the window. A medium sized man with handsome beard was rapidly removing the saddle and bridle. These he tossed inside the gate, and then gave the horse a smart cut with his "quirt" or whip. The animal-a fine Kentucky bred black-wheeled and galloped off at a tre- mendous pace. The man listened until the hoof beats died away in the distance and then entered the house. heard him talk ing with his wife, for did not doubt that +I if ShoT oaao wondered why he had ridden so furiously and then turned his splendid horse adrift, for the night was chilly and the horse very warm. Presently footsteps approached my door and heard my hostess voice.
 "tMy husband wants to speak with you at once,' she said. Will you please make haste?' Wondering more than ever at this request, I hastily resumed such of my clothes as I had thrown aside and joined the couple in the living room. The man was eating some supper that she had pre- pared. He seemed hurried, but perfectly cool She looked worried.
 "tSorry to disturb you, stranger he said, looking up as I entered the room My wife tells me that you asked for shel ter and she has given it to you. Pm glat | to meet you, but it's unfortunate that yor | happened here tonight. From the look O you I don't think you'd betray the mal l whose grub you have eaten, but can afford to take chances. I'm Tom King
 While he was speaking dozen conject ures fitted across my mind. Did he meal to kill me? I wondered, and as he declares his determination to risk nothing invol untari1y felt for my revolver. As his nam | that of noted desperado-left his lips however, I gazed into the muzzle of Col 45 He must have had the weapon on hi | ic 1u tn l did not attempt to draw my shootin iron.' I had learned sufficient to knoN when a man got the drop on me. Ol serving this be lowered his weapon.
 "'Don't take ofense, young man. h said. Don't fool with your gun either Lay it on the table,
 T complied.
 "'You are recently from the east, al you not? he asked. I answered in the a firmative.
 "'Ah,' he said, effectively, I was i Wall street fifteen years ago.
 Something in his appearance, I kne' not what, made me look closely at hin So your name now is Tom King r marked. Did you ever meet my fathe Nicholas Greener?" t>.
 "He started from his chair. You don mean to say that you are little Ere | Greener? ! see the likeness now, thougl We'll, your father did me many zoe turn. Pm more sorry than ever that yo should have come here at this time TT sheriff and a large posse are after me, an guess there'll be fight
 ''The ranchman was an old friend of m fathers. He used to visit my family vel frequently when l was youngster knee brooches. He wore no beard in tho days He had often given me tips, and was, I knew, then most extravagal man. I dimly remembered that he h. I held a prominent position in the stree and that he suddenly ceased coming to o1
 house. I remembered also that my fath
 had spoken regretfully If his fall, and tn
 the commercial world had been astoundt
 at the magnitude of the series of robberi
 that he had committed. also knew tn
 he had been arrested and jumped his ba ! -I think with the consent of his suretie \ He watched me for moment while DO dered oa these things. Then he spol
 again:
 "'Don't breathe my name to any livi1
 soul, Fred,' he said. It was supposed tn
 was drowned on board the Merry Mo
 arch, bound for Buenos- -Ayres. Never cc
 rect that impression. Now for the even
 of the present. If the sheriff happens
 meet my horse down the road he will @ in at the old ranch before he comes hel
 If not, he will be at the gate in fifteen mi
 utes. I won't surrender. and he meal
 business
 AHe paused and looked inquiringly
 me. fWhat do they want you forp
 asked.
 "I have penchant for other people
 horses. I got good number last winte + <s< J, ,I1r>r hr1% %ho