The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-07-02
CHAPTER XIII.


surprise, for the sheriff and Mr.. Bald
win came back, and the former an
nounced that Fred and Lord Rallies
were free, having been released ON bail.
When we found that Camp had gone ON
the bond, l knew that there was a
scheme of some sort in the move, and,
taking Fred aside, Iwarned him against
trying to recover the proxies.
"They probably think that one or the
other of you knows where the letters
are hidden" whispered, land they'll
keep watch on you, so go Slow"
He nodded and followed the sheriff
and Lord Rallies out.
The moment they We're gone Mr..
Baldwin said, "I came back to give
you a last chance"
"That's very good Of you," said.
"Iwarn you" he said threateningly,
1--WE are not men to be beaten. There
are 30 cowboys of mine in this town
who think you were concerned III the
holding up. By merely tipping them
the wink they'll have you out of this,
and after they've got you outside /
wouldn't give the toss Of nickel for
your life. Now, then, will you hand
over those letters or will you go to -
inside Of ten minutes?"
lost my temper in turn. "I'd much
prefer going to some place where I was
less sure of meeting you, l retorted,
land, as for the cowboys, you'll have to
be as tricky with them as you want to
be with me before you'll get them to
back you up in your dirty work. 1"
At this point the sheriff called back
to ask Baldwin if he was coming.
"All right" cried Baldwin and went
to the door. "This is the last call, he
said, pausing for a moment ON the
threshold.
81 hope so," said I, more calmly in
manner than in feeling, I have to ac-
knowledge, for didn't like the look of
things. That they were in earnest I
felt pretty certain, for understood now
why they had let my companions out of
Jail. They didn't care to risk hanging
more than was necessary.
A long time seemed to pass after they
were gone, but in reality it wasn't
more than 10 minutes before heard
some one steal up and softly unlock the
door. confess the evident endeavor to
do it quietly gave me scare, for it
seemed to me it couldn't be an above
board movement. Thinking this, pick
ed up the box ON which 1 had been sit
ting and prepared to make the best fight
could. 1t was q good deal Of relief,
therefore, when the door opened just
wide enough for man to put in his
head, and I heard the sheriff's voice
say softly:
Eli, Gordon''
Twas at the door in an instant and
asked:
whats upp"
"They re gettin the boys together and
sayin that you shot awoman in the hold
up"
cts an Internal lie," said.
Sounds that way to me-" said the
sheriff, "but two thirds of the boys are
drunk, and it's long time since they've
had any fun"
"Well," said, as calmly as could,
"are you going to stand by me?"
81 would, Mr.. Gordon" he replied,
IL tuere WIS any BOOu, DuU buer6 dlu
time to get posse, and what's one
winchester against a mob of cowboys
like them?"
"R you'll lend me your gun, I said,
''I'll show just what it is worth with
out troubling you. -
"I'll do better than that" said the
sheriff, "and that's what I'm here for
Just sneak while there's time"
"You mean exclaimed
"That's it. I'm Soin away, and I'll
leave the door unlocked. If you get
clear, let me know your address, and
later, if I want you, I'll send you
word" He took a grip ON my fingers
that numbed them as if they had been
caught in an airbrake and disappeared
slipped out after the sheriff without
loss Of time. That there wasn't much
to spare was shown by crowd with
some torches down the street, collected
in front.of saloon. They were making
a good deal of noise, even for the west
Evidently the flame was being famed.
Not wasting time, struck for the rail
road, because l knew the geography OF
that best, but still more because want