Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-07-30

he sotC there acGs a man on Its back.
The sheriff assured him Jnat noSnlng
more effective could be done than what
bad been done by the dead man himsalf
In leaving $50, 600 TO the killer OF Hirk-
DRY Sam. The sheriff had made no move
himself. for be had been confidently ex-
peotiDg every day TO hear that Sam was
shot Meanwhile nothing had been
heard or seen of the desperate since he
Left Salt Lick on the back of the muir
dered mans horse Sidney thought this
was rather slipshod way of admins
tering justice, but he said nothing and
went back TO his ranch. But if the sher-
if had been indifferent his own cow
boys had been embarrassingly active
They had deserted the ranch in a body
and were securing the plains searching
for the murderer, making the mistake
of going too far afield. They, like Mike
had expected Sam would strike for the
Bad Lands, and they rode far and fast
to intercept him. Whether they were
actuated by "a desire TO share the money.
a liking for their old boss or hatred
of Hickory Sam himself they themselves
would have found it difficult TO tell.
Anyhow it was a man hunt, and their
hunting instincts were keen.
In the early morning Sidney Butler
walked forth from the buildings of the
ranch and struck for the open prairie.
The sun was up, but the morning was
stiu cool. Before he had gone far he
saw approaching the ranch single rid
erless horse. AS the animal came near
er and nearer It whinnied ON seeing
him and finally changed its course and
came directly toward him. Then he
saw that there was man on it's back,
q man either dead or asleep. His hand
hung down nervelessly by the horses
side shoulder and swung helplessly to
and fro as the animal walked ON, the
mans head resting ON the horses name.
The horse came up to Sidney. thrusting
its nose out to him, whinnying gantlx
as if it knew him.
Hello" cried Sidney, shaking the
man by the shoulder. whats the mat
ter? Are you hurt?''
Instantly the desperate was wide
awake, sitting bolt upright and staring
at Sidney with terrified recognition in
his eyes. He raised isright hand, but
the pistol had evidently dropped from it
when he, overcome by fatigue and
drowsy after his enormous meal. had
fallen asleep. He flung himself off,
keeping the animal between himself
and his supposed enemy, pulled the
other revolver and fred at Sidney ACROSS
the plunging horse. Before he could
nre again Sidney. who was an athlete,
brought down the loaded head of his
cane on the pistol wrist OF tho ruffian,
cryings
Don't fire, you fool, I'm not going
to hurt you
Sam sprang savageiy at the throat of
the young man. who, stepping back,
struck his assaiiant a much heavier
blow than he intended The ieaden knob
of the stick fell ON Sans temple, and
be dropped as if shot Alarmed at the
effect of his blow, Sidney tore open the
unconscious mans shirt and tried to
get him to swallow some of the whisky
from the bottle be found in his pocket
Appalled, TO find all his efforts unavail-
ing, he sprang On the horse and rode to
the stables for help.
The foreman, coming out, cried:
Good heavens, Mr.. Butler, that's
the old mans horse. Where did you get
him? Well, Jerry, old fellow, he con-
tinued, patting the horse, who whinnied
affectionately. they've been using
you badly, and you've come home to be
taken care of. Where did you find him,
Mr.. BuIler?''
"Out on the prairie, and I'm afraid |
I've killed the man who was riding
him. God knows didn't intend to, but |
he fired at me. and hit harder than |
thcSl5A"