The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-07-23

raccd away.
Not hind WIS raised to stay them.
Sin, Parker was in the lend, and he car
riea .he shotgun at ready, guiding his
horse with his knees.
we rode like HI" said Jim, "and
cyclone"
When 1t was all over and the three were
out OF Prescott and streaking for tho hills,
tho crowd took long breath, and about a
NAH hour later the usual thing evolved
the posse.
Does any body hear of ga posse" In these
times without thinking OF big body of
cravens heavily armed and safe distance
behind?
The posse in this case was 100 strong,
anu not soul hurt or was hurt But,
Lord, how 1t threatened
Parker met traveller near Prescott.
stranger" said Jim, back yam you'll
ma posse, reckon. They think they're
looking for us. I'm Jim Parker. Just
tell them that you saw me-"
ABOUT dusk two deputies Of the sheriff
Mundo and Yeoman-overtook the run
Always.
The officers opened fire at long range.
Parker gave no answering shot. He had
only ono charge In his gun. The other
mad cut of u love letter. But he turned in
his saddle and yelled defiance
Two flashes and the roar of rifles.
Inc Mexican goes rolling in the dust.
One bullet had pierced his thigh, the othec
had Killed his horse.
Jim Parker, looking backward. CHILLED
to the Mexican and lcnped from the sad
die. a ball plunkod him In the leg, but
he runs along to the heap in the dust and
helps COrnelin to arise
A lew seconds later tho wounded Mcxi-
can is behind Parker, Miller is riding tho
tail of Mrs. Ruffnor's plucky horse, and
the threo refugees disappear.
Darkness had closed in, and the two
deputies had failed.
Soon after the brush with tho DEPUTIES
Parker rid himself of Miller and tho Mex
lean and sot to work to befog the pursuers
IT was sort of recreation, said he. 81
didn't care much il 1 was took, only felt
Kind OF duty bound to fool 'em If could"
On Monday he travelled 45 miles from
Prescott, and on Tuesday he journeyed
back to within eight miles of his starting
point, pursuing n bewilderingly circuitous
route.
Yes" said Jim, "I'm something Of a
mixer when it's wo'ths while 1 guess I
must have shod thot boss as much as five
times in two days"
AT times tho shoes of the horse were re-
yerscd, and Mt intervals Jim carried them
In his coat pocket. 1t was not easy to fol-
low him.
On tho fourth dry he reached the Bill
William mountains, so miles north of
Prescott. BY that time the shcriffs of
three counties, 90 other white men and a
dozen expert Indian trailcrs were OH the
trail.
lao
definitely. Tho end had to come some
time. 1t was when his horses were worn
out and he himself was thoroughly tagged
he had thrown himself on tho ground and
gone to sleep. He woke TO find himself in
the center Of n circle with ten rifles point-
ing Mt his heart
Parker half arose and reached toward
his shotgun He glanced around the steel
circle. Then ho sat up, clnspctl his hands
across his knees and exclaimed:
Well, if this amt hip
They bound Jim nstridc a horse and
started for Flagstaff. On tho way they
met Ruffner.
"Old man." said Jim, sid like to plug
you full Of lend, but you sec how IN fixed. {"
When tho purity reached Prescott, n crowd
of 500 persons was in waiting. 1t was in
an ugly mood too. Crowds are ugly enough
when man like Parker is safely shacklcd
There was talk of lynching, and Jim
was not slow to hear tho mutterings. He
took off his hat and bowed in mockery of
the multitude.
few moments Inter he was within the
cngc whence he hnd escaped three weeks be
fore
II reckon III swing all right enough, -
he said next dry, land I'm not saying I
shouldn't. But I'm not the SORT of fellow
that stcnls from poor folks or does ND a
man ON tho quiet I'd heap ruthcr I
hadn't shot that boy, understand, and if
I'd thought a second I wouldn't hive
plunked him."