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

not % strictly ac6ofding to law, but It
would be effective If carried out with
out an error.
The particulars Of Buffers interview
with the sheriff spread rapidly in Salt
Lick and caused great Indignation
among the residents thereof, especially
those who frequented Hades. 1t was
reproaoh to the place that the law
should be invoked all ON account of q
trivial incident like that of the day be-
fore. Sam, who bad been celebrating
his victory at Mixes, heard the news
with bitter If somewhat silent resent
ment, for he bad advanced so far in his
cups that he was all but speechless. Be-
ing a magnanimous man. be would
have been quite content to let bygones
be bygones, but this unjustiiable action
OF Buffers required prompt and effec-
tual chastisement. He would send the
wealthy ranchman to keep company
with his slaughtered herdsmen. Thus
IL was that when Butler mounted his
horse after his futile visit 10 the lawyer
he found Hickory Sam holding the
street with his guns. The fusillade that
followed was without result, which dis
appointing termination is accounted
for by the fact that Sam was exceeding
ly drunk at the time and the ranchman
was out Of practice. Seldom had Salt
Lick seen so much powder burned with
no damage except to the window glass
in the vicinity. Butler went back to the
lawyers office and afterward had an
interview with the bank manager. Then
be got quietly ont of town unmolested,
for Sam, weeping over the inaccuraoy
| of bis aim on Mikes shoulder, gradu-
ally sank to sleep in corner OF the sa-
| loon
Next morning when Sam woke to
( temporary sobriety be sent word to the
ranch that be would shoot old Butler
on sight and at the same time apologize
| ed for the previous ecoentricities of his
| fire, promising that such an annoying
( exhibition should not occur again. He
signed himself 1.-The Terror of Salt Lick
and the Champion of Law and Order. +"
| 1t was rumored that old Butler, when
he returned to the lawyers Office, had
| made his will and that the bank man.
| ager had witnessed it. This supposed
action of Butler was taken as a most
delicate compliment to Hickory Sam s
determination and Workmanship, and
he was justly proud Of the work he had
thrown into the lawyers hands
A week passed before old Butler came
to Salt Lick, but when he came Hickory
Sam was waiting for him. and this
time the Desperate was not drunk-that
is TO say, be had not bad more than half
dozen glasses of forty rod" that
morning.
| When the rumor came 30 Hades that
ord Butler was approaching the town
on horseback and alone, Sam at once
! BEE the drinks that be would fire but
one shot, aud SO, in q measure, atone
/ for the Intellectual racket he had made
! on the occasion of the previous encoun-
ter. The crowd stood by, in safe places.
co see the result of the deal
Sam, with one revolver IN his right
hand. stood square in the center of the
street with the sturdy bearing of one
who has his Quarrel just and who be-
sides can pierce the ace spot on a card
ten yards farther away than any other
man in the country.
Old Butler came riding up the street
. as calmly as if he were on his own
| ranch. When almost within range of
Sans pistol. the old man raised both
hands above his head, letting the reins
| fall ON the horses neck. In this extraor-
binary attitude he rode forward, to
the amazement of the crowd and the
| evident embarrassment Of Sam
~ am not armedl" the old man
shouted. eve come to talk this thing
/ over and settle it."
Its too late for talk" yelled Sam,
Infatuated at the prospect of missing bis
victim after all. Pull your gun, old
! man, and shootl'
II haven't got gun on me, said
Butler. still advancing and still holding
up his hands
'That tricks played outi" shouted
Sam. hinging up his right hand and
firing.
The old man, with hands above bis
! head, leaned slowly forward like fall
ing tower. then pitched headforemost