The Advocate and news., 1898-01-26

step revealed the object, for the lawyer
then asked for search warrant to look
for stolen property. The judge was
equally obliging and began to fill one
out ON the instant.
This made me feel pretty serious, for
the letters were in my breast pocket,
and swore at my own stupidity in not
having put them in the station safe
when had first arrived at Ash Forks
There weren't many moments in which
to think while the judge scTibbled away
at the warrant, but IN what Tune tnerO
was did a lot Of head work, without
however, finding more than one way out
Of the snarl, and when / saw the judge
finish off his signature with flourish /
played a pretty desperate card.
''You're just too late, gentlemen" !
said, pointing out the side window Of
the saloon. "There comes the cavalry"
The three conspirators jumped to their
feet and bolted for the window. Even
the sheriff turned to look. AS he did 80
gave him shove toward the three,
which sent them all sprawling on the
floor in pretty badly mixed up condi-
tion. I made dash for the door, and
as I went through it grabbed the key
and locked them in. AS I turned to do
80 I saw the lot struggling up from the
floor, and knowing that it wouldn't
take them many seconds to find their
way out through the window, l didn't
waste much time in watching them.
Camp, Baldwin and the judge had
left their horses just outside the saloon,
and there they were still patiently stand
ing, with their brides thrown over their
heads, as only western horses will stand.
1t didn't take me long to have those
brides back in place, and as / tossed
each over the peak of the Mexican sad
die gave two Of the ponies slaps which
started them OFF at lope across the
railroad tracks swung myself into
the saddle Of the third and fiicked him
with the loose ends Of the bride in q
way which made him understand that l
meant business
Baldwin's cowboys had most OF them
scattered to the various saloons Of the
place, but two Of them were standing in
the doorway of store. I acted SO quick
ly, however, that they didn't seem to
take in what was about till was well
mounted. Then I heard yell, and,
fearing that they might shoot--for the
cowboy does love to use his gum turn
ed sharp at the saloon corner and rode
up the side street, just in time to see
Camp climbing through the window,
with Baldwin's head in view behind
him.
Before / had ridden 100 feet realiz-
ed that I had done up horse under me,
and, considering that he had covered
over 40 miles that afternoon in pretty
quick time, it was not surprising that
there wasn't very much go left in him.
knew that Baldwin's cowboys could
get new mounts in plenty without vast
ing many minutes and that then they
would overhaul me in very short order.
Clearly there was no use in my attempt
ing to escape by running. And, as
wasn't armed, my only hope was to beat
them by some f1nesSe.
Ash Forks, like all western railroad
towns, is one long line Of buildings rum
ming parallel with the railway tracks.
Two hundred feet, therefore, brought
me to the edge Of the town, and wheel
cd my pony and rode down behind the
rear Of the buildings. In turning look
ed back and saw half q dozen mounted
men already in pursuit, but lost sight
Of them the next moment. AS soon as ]
reached a street leading back to the rail
road 1 turned again and rode toward it,
my one thought being to get back, II
possible, to the station and put the let
ters into the railroad agents safe.
When / reached the main street,
saw that my hope was futile, for an