The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-30

| Then, dtsmouating, Ray and MAYNARD
kneN beside the dying man.
tories except in case of Indians. Like as
not we'd stir up some sheriff among
these fellows and he'd spring the law
Oh us. We're no posse comitatus, but
yonder's our horses all the same. Just
dismount, you men, till the moon gets
behind that cloud" he continued at
which the foremost troopers noiselessly
slipped out of saddle, and all the long
column followed suit
Ten minutes later, as noiselessly and
circling well away from the boisterous
camp, the troop stole away from the
shadowy canyon, and, favored by the
darkening clouds, rode easily around to
the southern side. Here a dozen men
dismounted, and, following Ray and
Maynard, crept softly forward, and,
speaking in low, reassuring tones to the
nearest horses of the little herd, went
swiftly from one to the other. Each one
recognized as government mount"
was quickly secured by lariat loosely
knotted about the neck, and tho trans
fer Of what the captain called the
"stawk" back to the care of their old
masters was we'll nigh complete when
out peeped the moon again. A mule set
up an unearthly bray, dog barked
furiously, and some straggler from the
band Of jewellers gave one wild yell Of
warning, instantly followed by cry:
Cavalry, by God Look out, fellersp'
There was rush for the horses, a
volley of oaths and excavations, scram-
Bile for saddles and show of six shoot
ers, but above all the uproar one voice,
furious and merciless, rose dominant.
Course your traitor hidel This is
your doing, Boston," Then followed
shot, shrek for help, another shot,
and then, pistol in hand, Ray dashed
forward into the thick of the throng
"Stop thisl' he commanded. "Stop,
or, by God, we'll take hand. Bring
up the troop, Maynard. Grab that luna
tic, some of you.
But with spring like cat the Gu
matte" his pistol still smoking, threw
himself astride COW pony and dashed |
away into the darkness. Some of his
gang ran for their horses and followed
suit. Others, stupefied, stood gazing up
at Ray. Others still were bending over
groaning, PROSTATE form. The fire.
light fell on the pallid, distorted face,
and Maynard knew it at glance. Here
at last was Nathalie's tormentor. Here,
shot to death, lay Boston.
A word fpp,n Paw b,5 s,,t l.ra. |
troopers In pursuit of the murderer.
Another word, and those who remained,
and half sobered, were sur
rounded and held by another squad o.
blue shirted troopers. Rough yet tender
hands bore the sinking man closer to
the fire and gave him stimulant. He
gazed miserably up one moment, search
ing their faces as though in hope of
some word Of encouragement, and his I
eyes met Maynard's. He knew him in
stantly, and his face, beading now with
the sweat Of agony, took on an implor-
ing look. He strove to speak, and one
Of his fellows turned and said:
HE wants to say something to you
gentlemen.
Then, dlsmountlng, Kay and Maynard
melt beside the dying man.
They've killed Inc" he almost Sob
'ed. "They knitted me at Cheyenne
months ago because swore I'd have no
'art in that robbery. I've been curse
o all Of my people, but wasn't that
mean. was mean enough, though, to
oent-that poor girl had
at Russell. She was my cousin She
i'd all she could to save me-to make
nan of me- She even borrowed money
to lend to me- but I've saved over
have paid it all if God
ad-let me live. It's-all in that silk ,
my neck Lieutenant, you
re square MARLIN sorry ever
urt you, but had to or get caught
nder her window. l wouldn't bring
arm to her-for the world. Shake
ands on it, lieutenant, and promise me :
GU II give it to her-that money It's :
all I've got. Shake"
And with his twitching hand in the
rm grasp of the young soldier Boston ::
led
~ n. Continued