Willmar tribune., 1898-09-21

some OF these unnatural naturalized
voters and citizens, like as not an in-
dictment for murder would be hanging
over his head, ifsnot hanging him in. the
course Of fortnight. True, there was
no sheriff within 20 miles, and long be-
fore the, civil authorities could be
brought into play the murderers Of
Brady would be scattered all over the
face of the earth. All the same, under
the strict Interpretation of the civil
law. Lieut.. Merriam knew that he and
his people had no more business trying
to arrest these renegades than they had
to vote at a territorial election, In
point Of fact, like many another officer
and man, soldier of Uncle Sam on the
broad frontier, he was aware of the fact
that even a horse thief had more civil
rights than the trooper. His expedition,
therefore, in the eye of the law was
nothing more nor less than a lawless
dash, winding up in possible free
fight, and all against the peace and dig
nifty of the people of New Mexico. Per-
haps Buxton knew this, too, but the or
Gers he gave were peremptory, and Mer-
riam never stopped to reply, reason why,
or expostulate. But now when the
renegades began to shoot the reasoning
why had to be done. His men were hot
for battle-so was he-but the nation
expects of its officers that. no matter
what the temptation, provoca ton or ex-
asperation, they keep cool heads and
tempers, only shoot when the law per-
mits, but then shoot to kill. No claim
of self-defense could be allowed They
were the pursuing and therefore the
attackingpa and, though these Mex
leans were followed red-handed, hot
footed, there could be no question what
civil jury would say if any of their
dingy hides were punctured by the balls
of a brutal soldiery.
Zip-bang!-a second shot. Bing-
g-g-g wrrrrr-bang! another, and Corp
oral Butts ducked his head and swore
and Trooper Mullen's charger squealed
and lunged and kicked viciously with the
seam of bullet scathing his flank and
blowing the haunch. They were clos
ing on the ruffians fast, then, and the
temptation was overpowering. Il can't
ride my men in to be shot down like
Dogs growled Randy. I'm for penny
in for pound. They started it, any
way" he said 10 himself, then turned in
saddle and waved high his forage cap.
"Close up! Close up, men!" he cried.
meaning to draw rein, slacken speed
bit, and get all his party together be-
fore closing for action. The Mexicans
were plainly winded. Their half-starved
brutes had carried them under bloody
squirting as far as they could and were
now barely staggering along. What
their riders dreaded was summary
stringing up to the railway telegraph
poles if captured. Better die fighting,
said the leader, and fight it was.
They were close to the entrance of a
little ravine that set in among the bar
rem slopes from the open ground to the
east. All the way from the Santa Clara
the ascent had been gradual but dis
tinctly marked, and just as the fore
most rider spurred around the shoulder
of the hillside his painting broncho
stumbled, went down, rolled helplessly
over and lay there dead to kicks, curses
or blows. Three of the gang lashed on
ward, leaving their countryman to his
fate. but two of them, better nerved,
reined up, alighted, and, throwing
themselveshatu upon the ground, opened
again rapid and telling fire from their
Winchesters. "Mira! ell Teniente," was
the word, linked with savage Spanish
curse that hissed from the black lips of
the nearest, and in an instant Merriam
became the target for the sharp fire of
three magazine rifles, famous for their
accuracy at no greater distance than
the 400 yards that now separated them.
Almost before he could realize il Randy
felt sharp sting just at the outer edge
Of his bride arm, and knew that the
blood gushed from the wound. Then
all of sudden his poor troop horse
plunged heavily forward, and, groaning
and struggling, went down in a heap,
bearing his rider helplessly with him.
Two minutes more, as some of the
men dismounted and with rapid and
effective fire scattered the Mexicans to
shelterw within the ravine, Corporal Butts
and trooper succeeded in pulling Mer-
riam free from the madly lashing, strug-
Cling. stricken brute, and then it was
found that their pallid, speechless lead
er had received some serious injury.
All the breath was knocked out of his
body and the bride arm was broken
midway between the wrist and elbow.
That ended the chase. Four or five
men, it is true, took advantage of the
fact that the lieutenant was knocked
out to dash ahead and have a personal
affair with the greasers, and later in
the day, when, after a. long, long ride,
Trooper Mullen reached a friendly
1anchman on the Santa Clara and had
him send out his spring wagon for the:
wounded officer, these enthusiasts came
drifting back, there was reason for be-
lief that their ammunition had not
been entirely spent in vain. But it was
a worn-out, used-up detachment es-
corting two-wheeled, improvised am
bulance, that recrcssed the Santa Clara
late. that afternoon and was met there
=, oeL- -Sc4o