Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-10-19

uSuI tAIt AuiASn o<sSp - %
never dreaming Ct such thing M her 60
cape, was minding his shooting 20 yards
away. / saw her turn suddenly in liz
tening attitude, a. IL some ono behind
her had called. A cowboy hat, with Q
head beneath il. had appeared above thu
edge Of small ravine leading down in
10 the arroyo beyond her. Without hest
tsting. she turned and ran toward The
ravine. A little cowboy, NO taller thar
she, rose to receive her, and they dissp
peared beyond the verge.
sanerado turned Just M she pased
into the ravine and saw her and hel
companion. Instantly he ran toward
her, and his men. at his call, followed
him. Within few yards Of the verge oi
the ravine they stopped short as NJ
from the hollow four men in cowboy
garb appeared. fully armed, and with
leveled rifles covered them.
At $50 yards away we could identify
three uf the men with whom GARNER
had sought protection. These were Billy
the Kid and his two followers, Dave
Rudebaugh and Ph9nix. The fourti
appeared 10 be = boy dessed in cowboy
garb. All were ON foot
Taken completely by surprise and
covered by the weapons Of men who's
appearance indicated their perfect will
ingness to use them. the bandits stood
irresolute. What words, in the begin
ming, passed between the leaders Of the
two outlaw bands we were too far away
TO hear. But ms soon M Felix and
could get To cur horses we mounted and
rode up to the group. We rode past the
Mexican outlaws and joined the party
Of the Kid The two leaders were talk
ing together in the Spanish tongue, and
these from Sangrndo were the first
words We could distinguish:
"Caballero, you still have not inform
cd me why you have interfered in my
kfYairs and now hold me and my COM
,anions mt the muzzles Of your guns.
What 10 you wish Of meT'
"Oh, only to rsk you n question or
'wo. drawled Billy in his danger
one. Il saw thar you were riding aud
iring rather recklessly, seeing that You
bad lady along. and l thought I'd
take care Of her till things quieted down.
had to hold you up, you know, for you
Kere coming our way, with weapons
irawn, and 'twoukn't do 10 let you get
Qie drop Gu us. +"
"Oncc again I ask you, Will you re-
tore the senorita TO me and let Us go
our way in pesce?"
"She doesn't seem very anxious to go
along with you. How does IL happen
that you are carrying her of IN that
fashion against her will:"
"That is u private affair OF my own, V
nid Sangrado. Isis white teeth cleaning
behind the set smile which poorly mask
ed the anger and deadly hatred tina, his
eyes revealed Despoiled Of his prize
and held at bay, he was not disposed TO
endure much more questioning. THE
senorita is in my care and custody. and
| I am responsible to any one who chal-
lenges my right in what do. In my
friend, the cabGllero. satisfied"
"wait httle," returned Billy cool.
". Here are two young men who may
have something TO say alout this.
| Without removing his eyes from San
grado's, be spoke to Felix aud me. You
hear what the Mexican has said. What
have YOU get TO say TO III"
knew that Felix was holding in his
anger and resentment with too much
difficulty TO be able TO trust his voice to
speak. He was waiting TO settle accounts
with Sangrado and did not care to talk.
answered for 10th.
"This lady is the Senorita Carmen,
daughter Of Don Ramon Bustamante o'
the Santa Cruz valley. These men sur
prised her fathers outfit on the stage
trail. ten miles up the arroyo, fired upon
him and his servant and carried her of.
We are Of his party and have come u
take her back to her father. z"
"You are risking long odds, it strike,
me, F" said Billy. 'Thcy are two to youl
one and well heeled."
1.-The question Of odds doesn't count
in this case, " Ireplied. I'VE have come
to rescue the senorita and mean to de
il il we last long enough"
Sangrado interrupted our talk and
laughed rs he spoke. There Is a quicl
way to settle this matter, nc said. III
is true that have carried the girl away
from under the eyes Of her father and
lover. will fight to the death the ca
ballero who claims her, TO see which
best deserves to have her
Felix did not wait for further words.
~ accept the Offer" he said. "You may
name your weapons
"Lct il then De revolvers and knives
We will stand so PAGES apart and wall
toward each other, firing when We
choose. II we are both alive when oul
pistols are emptied, our knives shal
finish the business. I"
"That pleases me well" said Felix
Eve need waste no time in making oul
arrangements.
"Since all is agreed upon 10 pleasant
| w." said the Kid, "the rest Of Us vii
see fair letween You two. But under
stand this--whatever happens, the CIR
shall have or choice about her protector
II she wish, TO go back to her father,
will see that she is taken to him safe. ,
I'VE ale losing the daylight. salt
Sangrado, with glance at the sun nov
passing below the western mountains
"will some hody kindly pace OF the dis
tance so We can get to work."
While Flpnix stepped of so yards
noticed thut Carmen had reappeare'