Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-07
NUMBER 10.
"It's ALI n ID lie 4"

Mr.. Walters was evidently q man of
convictions. / had not shaken his belief
in my identity with tho detested horse
thief
"yery well, believe rs you choose,
but it won't be long before youywill
learn that you and your friends are the
biggest fools In mississippi"
"aIe and Archie Hunter have showed
that already in allowing you to climb
out Of the winder while we slept and
after you had took Archie's pistoI from
his lap; that's little the worst yet
aughp'
IL was clear ho had no suspicion OF
the part played by the young woman,
and il was not my place to enlighten
him.
1T was a piece Of tomfOolery, Cy.
and the boys viii have the laugh on
you both when you tell them how l
gave you the slip and got out Of tho
country"
"You haiu't got out the kentry yet"
was his significant comment.
"Not just yet, but / soon shall,
thanks TO you and your stepson. You
SEQ have Arcbie's revolver, and now |
shall take your Winchester. Since you
persist in looking upon me AS horse
thief you may as well include the theft
Of weapons.
de emitted blistering imprecstion.
but saw there was no help for it. He
was still renching for the stars when !
commanded:
Face about toward tine hotelp
lie complied with surprising prompt.
nes2
"lf you s,eop OF attempt to pick mp
your gun, I'll shoot. IL won't be the
first time fired revolver, and you are
in good range"
Despite my watchfulness and readi-
ness to use my weapon the fellow out
witted me.
"March, added. "snd don't pause
or look around until you climb back
through the window"
He began moving. bat his feet seemed
10 become entaEgled in the vines that
had partly retarded my steps. He ad-
vanced slowly, tripped. swore and
struck bis too against some obstruction.
Then he straightened up and stumbled
onward with the same difficulty.
The cunning veteran was kicking his
Winchester along in front Of him, and
! had no suspicion Of it.
In this manner he advanced for fully
Q rod, when. like a fash. he stopped,
matched up his rife, and, wheeling with
the same amazing quickness. let fly at
me. felt the ball Craze my temple and
mip off bit Of hair. Dazed for the
moment, discharged two chambers Of
my revolver. but in the furry missed,
as he had just done with his Winches-
ter. Before could pull myself together
for another shot he was beyond fair
range, while he, knowing the useless
ness Of firing ut me, refrained from the
attempt.
had safely emerged from my prison,
but my full escape remained to be
made. IL would not do to stay at AL
dine, nor indeed anywhere in that Soc
ton. IL was 20 miles 10 the steamer
landing, and | could hardly feel safe
until aboard Of one OF the boats and
steaming up or down the Mississippi.
| was tempted to try a daredevil
thing. That was 10 steal into the barn.
remount the horse had honestly bought
and HE away at headlong speed. Re-
dection. however, convinced me that
such an act would invite my own ruin.
Ny escape was known to Cy Walters
and Archie Hunter. and they would be
on the alert for anything Of that nature.
Standing just outside the garden OF
the old inn. decided that my best
course was to push inland until reach
ell some town or village where was
unknown or could communicate with
the authorities should it prove neces-
sary. IL would seem that the facts be-
mg ~ ! have given il should be- an easy
matter for me TO escape the punishment
due another man, bat unfortunately