Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-03-02

IT., the marshal muCUoTeu, DIS uc say"
after the retreating forms of the two
women.
'.Who do you mean?" asked a man
near him.
why 1 believe I'm on the trail of the
Starr gang"
What, those outlaws from the In
dian territory"
Of you recognize that bay which Miss
Leatherbury is riding?"
mo can't say I did," they replied,
looking puzzled.
well, that rs one of the horses that
the Starr gang cut from the San Diego
herd with lot of others. This one
isn't branded, but / knew him by the
blaze on his forehead the moment l
saw him.
frightened, as he cried out: This wo-
man can't be one of the STAIRS. She
said that she was living on ranch
near here"
The marshal scorned such credulity.
''Why, know every ranch around for
miles and have never seen that woman.
Starr has a wife, and I'll bet anything
that this is she. But they must be
hard pushed to trade on such danger
GUS ground"
Lets follow Them" suggested For
rest as he ran around to get his horse.
"All right" answered the marshal.
But we must take a circuitous route
or the bird will escape. That woman
rides like an Indian, hear Will you
fellows join u.s." he inquired of his
companions
Half of them volunteered, and the
others pleaded important engagements
when they thought of their families,
for they knew only too we'll what des-
perate criminals the STAIRS were
The marshal warned his friends that
some Of the gang We're no doubt hoy
ering about awaiting his return; so
they all started out we'll armed with
pistols and rifles.
Mamie was cantering on, thoroughly
enjoying herself. The breeze which
had sprung up cooler in the last half
hour was very refreshing after the
long warm day. She could guide the
bay by the least touch us they swung
along.
What do you want for him?'' she
asked, thinking what good hunter he
would make.
Il could not take less than $500 He
is really worth much more"
Mamie gasped in fright ait such
price. She couldn't afford half the
amount just then, because she had
been unusually extravaganza lately, so
she gave up all hope of owning him,
with a sigh of despair. Suddenly the
little dealer wheeled around with a
Subdued Spanish oath, for she saw that
they We're being followed
'Would you like to let him QUITO
speed linn" she asked, as calmly Ias
possible under the circumstances.
Eyes, that would be delightful"
Mamie answered, innocently, and soon
she was going at Il full gallop, with
the little dealer in the lead, who sent
her horse along in the most astonisll-
ing way. She did not know that her
LIVER and friends were in hot pursuit,
and laughed gleefully when she found
that the horse was so swift; so she
urged him on, quite unconscious of
her danger. The woman made straight
for Il piece of timber by the river side
but the bay SHE'D quickly at an alliga-
tor which was basking in the sun on
the bank, and as he SHE'D. Mamie
saw the body of horsemen coming
after them at top speed.
Lets pull up; think / see Mr..
Fairfax" she called out, breathlessly,
for she was not as fit as she might
have been.
With another Spanish oath the wom-
an turned and caught her horse by
the bride, and gallOped away with her.
Mamie was 50 aStOniShed that she
made no resistance, and side by side
the two women gallOped on. Some wild
looking men who had been concealed
in the wood joined them, but no word
was passed. A ball whizzed by and
sharp report of a rifle rose above the
thunder of the horses hoofs. Firing
was kept UP thick and fast by the
pursued and pursuers
The woman kept her horse in the rear
of her companions, pulling Mamie
with her as a sort of shield to protect
them from the bullets. Mamie strug-
gled to get away from her hold, but
soon felt how useless it was, for the
little brown hands were as strong as
a mans, so she abandoned herself to
her fate, swaying from side to side in
the saddle, half dead with fright. She
could hear her friends gaining ON them
and tried to be brave.
Starr, the leader of the gang, who
was half breed Indian, cried out,
"Hurrah!'' the marshal's bit the dustr'
as the smoke of his rifle cleared, and
she knew that one of her friends had
been killed.
Ping, ping, ping, echoed the lead as
it flew about them. The outlaws yelled
with triumph as two or three brave
fellows dropped.
Mamie did not even scream, but
flew on like one i'm dreadful night
mare, led by the cruel little brown
hand that never relaxed its grip ON
the bride.
Then she felt a sharp pain in her
arm. The river, sky and prairie heaved
Like a stormy ocean, and she tainted.
Forrest Fairfax had fired the ball
which struck his sweetheart He had
intended it for. one of the outlaws.
When he saw Mamie fall off in a help
less heap his heart misgave him, and
he thought she was dead, as the gang
thought also, for they did not StoD n