San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-04-22
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enough of We ter harm him. I'll see
that this thing is investigated" and
there was defiance in the speakers voice.
We'll do the investigator" retorted
Ropes. He shot my son and then
scooted into the woods and got away
from us, but We'll find the young assassin
and punish him as he deserves. I'll
have my men on the watch for him, and
if he tries to come home we'll get him."
and with this the cattleman wheeled his
horse and rejoined his companions. A
few moments later they rode away.
There was look of trouble and anxiety
on Mr.. Riggsby's face as he turned to
his companion.
81 don't understand this, he said in
an agitated tone. Dan has got inter
trouble with these fellers an it may
cause smart fracas before the thing is
over. Wonder whar Dan is? | must go
an see after him."
HES mdln in the woods somewhat"
answered Baker. "They amt goin ter
ketch him in hurry, an if | amt mis-
taken he'll turn up all right ternight."
81 hope so; but we must keep look
out that none of these cattlemen amt
spyin about the place to keep him away"
''Thar'll be a lot of the settlers from
across the crick hyar in little while, an
then We'll see what is best ter do
don't think that Bud Ropes is hurt as
much as they let ON he is, fer they've
been wantin somethin ter raise fuss
over fer long time"
"Maybe We air right" replied Riggs
by. I'm wait awhile, an if the men
don't come I'll go an see if can find
DAM"
"Jist wait minute; yander goes the
doctor now" cried Ike Baker, springing
to the back of his horse. Hes been over
ter Ropes anil know how bad the boys
hurt" With this he galloped away to
intercept the doctor, who was riding
across the prairie toward his cabin
mile to the south.
In a half hour Ike returned with the
information that the wound that Bud
Ropes had received was only slight one,
the ball having tore across his forehead,
cutting deep furrow into the flesh but
not penetrating the skull.
They'll try ter meek out it's worse
than it is" remarked Ike, IAN they may
use it as an excuse ter give us trouble,
but don't think they'll hurt Dan now if
they find him, which kind er doubtful"
81 hope you are right" said Riggsby in
a more cheerful tone.
Mrs. Riggsby and Fanny were greatly
worried when they learned of the trouble
Dan had got into, but number of the
settlers soon arrived and declared their
intention to find and protect Dan from
harm and to stand by the family in any
trouble that might rise. Thus assured,
the feeling of uneasiness that had been
depressing the family was partially re-
moved.
Two men were Immediately dispatched
to search for Dan while the others re-
manned at the inn to discuss the impend-
ing trouble that was expected from the
cattlemen.
A short time before nightfall the two
men returned with the report that Dan
could not be found, and the supposition
was that he had quilted the neighbor-
hood. .. r.n q
Just at dark a settler from Cow Creek
valley dashed up to the inn, his horse
covered with foam. He had just come
from home and brought the most star
thing intelligence.
While passing through a strip of wood
that evening he had heard several men
approaching, and seeing that they were
cowboys he had concealed himself in a
thicket, where he learned from their con-
versation the following facts: A deadly
war was to be opened upon the settlers
at once, and all the houses in the settle
ment were to be burned to the ground and
their occupants forced to leave the coun-
try. They were to meet at Ben Ropes
house at dark and commence operations
at ten o'clock.
The first place of attack selected was
Riggsbys inn, and from there they were
to proceed to lay waste every cabin in
the settlement.
"And we hain't got a moment ter
lose" said the settler who had brought
the news. I'VE must git ready ter fight
at wunst, fer they'll come fifty ter a hun
dred strong"
BY this time there were fully twenty
settlers at the inn, and preparations for
the coming fight were pushed forward
with all the expedition possible.
Guards were placed about the house
and every precaution taken to prevent
surprise.
Breastworks were erected inside OF
the different rooms, and loopholes made
commanding every approach to the
building.
When all the necessary preparations
Lnd hnon nn,,,,,lntnl Mrs RirnShN and