Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-09-06

f1li.
And where have you located the out
TT this time?" I inquired
Down in the Manzanita mountains.
close to the Mexican line" was the re-
ply.
But that's only 20 miles from here"
| demurred. "and leaving I'm the morn
ing Will bring us there i'm broad day
light Wen never get them at that
rate. for It's open plains every foot OF
the way between here and the Mama
nitas"
"Ah, | seew returned the sheriff OF
Yuma astutely: figuring on a good u
hour sleep. as usual before going to
work. Well. you won't get Il this time.
'cabczasonOliento' sleepy head for
Wen be in the heart Of the Sierra Man
zanitas long before sunrise. Its now
10. and we leave before midn;cht.
which reminds me-" hc added. that
you'd better 20 down to t.... corral and
rope yourself horse. Bring your sad
'lle with you:"
'Nes. and something more" an
swrrpd
y que mas:" inquired my friend.
"MeScaL- of course" replied care
leSsly
"Mescal." calculated the sheriff i'm.
credulously. Going after Garcia with
his own horse: -Tll-be- He'll
sure like that"
The full moon WAS hanging low over
the ragged crest of the Manzanita
range aus our httlc cavalcadc drew rein
at the edge OF the dense chaparral that
covered its sides after brisk ride over
the Intervening alllali desert
We'll wait here" announced DovIe.
until Pie Grande." Indicating the
kick-a-PoO scout. who had dismountcd
and was just vanishing i'm the thickct.
goes ahead and takes a look at the
camp II WAS Pie" he explained aside
To me. "wh" located the outfit. and ne
knows just how 10 reach it,"
Half an hour later the Indian return
ed with the Information that the out
laws We're still cncamprd whcr,. he had
previously found them. which was i'm a
small valley distant about a mile
ahead. Upon receiving this intclli.
gcncc the sheriff commanded his Dartv
10 fall In. single file. behind the guide.
then gave the order TO advance
Thus we proceeded. with the utmost
caution, up the narrow trail. through
the tangled hrushwood. until at length
silent signal. PASSED from one TO an
other down the line. warned Us OF our
approach 10 the bandit stronghold At
almost the same instant 4 shot from
one OF their sentinelS told that we had
been discovered, and throwing aside
all caution we dashed forward TO the
I attack flhnnrln fu1-nr H..
surprise. the outlaws appeared TO keen
their heads. and as many as could
reach their horses sprang upon their
bare backs and desperately eSSayed IL
repulsc us. In another moment we
We're in their midst. firing rapidly but
carefully, for no shots could be wasted
in the face Of such superior numbers
At the height OF the confusion / sud
denly perceived a tall Mexican. wear
Ing silver embroidered jacket, the
description of which l hai many times
before seen in print. forcing his horse
toward me. 1t was Joaquin Garcia.
Instantly | levcled my revolver at his
head and pulled the trigger. There
was no report / had fired the last
charge from my brace of Colts BE
fore could even attempt TO reload the
bandit chief would have got me TO a
certainty. but rs he was in the very
act OF covering me 4 revolver shot
rang out close TO my ear. and reeling
in his saddle my antagonist fell to the
ground. The next moment my deliv-
crer's horse dashed 10y me-and his
rider was Sheriff Doyle OF Yuma.
Hardly had he vanished, however, be-
fore another bareback horSeman bore
down upon me. can see the CLEAN
OF that long stilettO even yet rs its
owners barred arm brandished il alOft
in the moonlight. Then rs the blade
descended. my horse reared back on
his launches and the blow that was
intended for me struck the animal Il
glancing blow in the side OF the head.
In the same instant, with a frcnZied
scream, Mescal plunged forward and.
catching the MeXican's leg in his teeth.
tore him from his horse. Then as the
outlaws body struck the ground the
infuriated animal sprang upon him,
striking him again and again with his
powerful fore feet, before could urge
him 10 leave the spot and join the bal
ance of our party. From this on the
odds were wholly in our favor. and one
by one the surviving bandits gave up
the contest and appealed for quarter.
At length. with the exception of a
few who had escaped under cover of
the darkness into the mountains. the
entire band were either prisoners or
numbered among the slain. Retracing
our steps to the scene Of the fiercest
stage of the fight. we dismounted for
the purpose of examining the bodies
of the fallen bandits. Observing one
that lay face downward I'm the sand, |
bent over him to find that the entire
back Of his head had been crushed I'm.
From this | knew at once il was the
outlaw who had fallen victim TO Mes
cars vengeance. Taking hold of his
arm | turned the body over. AS l did
SO l started back IL amazement. for
the pale moonlight shining full upon
his upturned face revealed to me the
unmiStakable features Of the palmist
of the Cahuenga highway.