San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-04-21

out of their rights But it so happened
that Jacob Barnaby had written letter
to Mrs. Riggsby at Ringgold, Georgia,
notifying her of the death of her kins-
man and of the will which he had left,
thecontents of which is already familiar
to the reader.
But the letter had been written and
mailed only few hours before Barn
abys death, and so it happened that
Mortimer Dill knew nothing of the ex-
istence of the letter.
1t was the purpose of the crafty Dill
| and his companion to go to Fort Scott
and get possession of the property left
by Mansfield by the aid of a woman
whom Suggs had employed to assume
the name of Mrs. Riggsby, who was sup
posed to be living in Ringgold, Georgia.
1t was with the intention of carrying
this daring plan into execution that the
two conspirators started for Fort Scott.
1t was while on this journey that they
stopped at the Travellers Rest. where
they were first introduced to the reader
1t is easy to imagine the surprise of
the two Adventures on discovering the
Riggsby family at the prairie inn. But
by mutual instinct they resolved to
make the best of the matter, for they
were now firmly convinced that no It'd
ings of the business in hand had reached
the family.
sold Barnaby never wrote the letter
after ALL" thought Dill, as he slowly
slipped his coffee at the breakfast table.
sits little awkward to have the family
here on the very soil of our operations,
but if they are ignorant of the whole
affair it can't make muchdifference."
Meantime Dan Riggsby, having COM
pleted his mornings work and fed and
harnessed the stage horses, mounted his
pony and galloped away toward the dis
tant blue line of timber that marked the
course of Little Cow creek.
He had not waited to get his breakfast,
but had set out at once to carry his
fathers message to the settlers.
There is no telling how soon we may
have trouble with the cattle men," he
thought. "and there's no time to be lost"
He carried a Sharp's rifle slung across
the horn of his saddle. as was his custom
when journeying across the prairie, for
in the days of which | write there was
considerable game in that locality, such
as deer, turkeys and prairie chickens.
The storm clouds of the previous night
had drifted away and the warm, bright
beams of the September sun were flood
ing the broad stretches of bronze tipped
grass with matchless splendor.
A light wind blew from the south,
and rocking the tops of the sumachs to
and fro. sent the red leaves to the
ground in flaming showers. Here and
there meadow lark would rise from
the grass, uttering succession of sharp.
discordant notes, and high overhead a
great gray hawk sailed through the
waste of light, sending his sharp scream
of defiance through the morning air.
A half hours ride brought Dan to a
small cabin near the left bank of the
creek, where solitary claim holder
made his home.
"Howdy, Dan," greeted the settler,
coming out of the door as the youth rode
up.
Good morning, Mr. Baker," replied
Dan, and after exchanging few words
he stated the object of his visit.
80 the cattlemen air goin ter open
war on us, yer father thinks COM
mented Baker. We'll, we'll give 'em
the best we've got if they do. Tell yer
father wen be over as soon as can go
and see some Of the claim holders across
| the creek" 81. .. -.ss.a
"All right" answered Dan, and gal
Hoped away. 1t was his intention to go
from there to another cabin some two
miles to the north. He had ridden a
mile perhaps, following along the course
| of the creek. when suddenly he saw a
horseman approaching him at gallop
''lt's Bud Ropes" said Dan as the
horseman drew near. Wonder what
he wants with me, for he is coming
straight for me-"
| Bud Ropes was a young man of some
nineteen or twenty years and the son of
Ben Ropes, the cattleman. He galloped
furiously forward till he reached point
directly in front of Dan, when he halted
and sat in his saddle waiting for Das to
come up.
Good morning, Bud, said Dan as he
turned his horse aside to pass the youth
nice morning for a canter across the
prairie"
| Bud did not return the greeting. and
Dan would have ridden on had not the
other signaled him to stop.
Don't be in too big hurry, said Bud
with a gesture: II wart to see you on
business"
Every well" replied Dan, refining in
his horse. Asingle glance told him that
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