Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-01-18
THE DESPERATE
By Cy Warman.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

sun glanced along the level pools,
and gilded the ripples and shimmering
shoals OF the quiet river-the Green
river-that lay along the edge Of the
Adobe desert, like IL band of braid at
the bottom of woman's skirt. A mo-
ment later the red sun dropped behind
the Wahsatch mountains and the day
was snutIed out like a candle.
Suddenly, now, great black cloud
behind which the sun sank. With ma
iestie swiftness it lifted it's head, spread
out it's dark wings, shadowed he waste,
and filled the wild canyons with aw-
full gloom. Far out toward the foothills
the unshod feet of a mountain cayusc
were beating the hard face of the des-
ert, urged on by the cruel spurs of his
pitiless master. For more than six
hours the horse and rider had been SIM
mering in the summer sun, and now
they welcomed the shadows. ducked
their heads, and dived in under the
cloud; the horse eager for the cool,
and the rider for the cover of night.
Across the desert another rider is
urging his steed of steel, his pilot point
ing into the storm-swept night. In Il
darkened day-coach, behind the little
locomotive, a United States marshal
and his deputies sit staring at the storm
into which the daring driver is about
to plunge. Now the rain begins to beat
upon the windows. \ moment later it
is falling furiously. roaring upon the
roof of the cab and blurring the head
light. The iron horse and the cayuse
arc running neck and neck now. Both
riders know that they are nearing the
river, and so slacken their speed. As
the cayuse comes to the waters edge
he braces his feet and stops short. The
riders first impulse is to dismount.
abandon his horse. and find'the railroad
bridge, which he knows must be near
ut hand, but glancing back he sees the
light of the locomotive and changes
his mind.
Just over the river stands Green River
station, with its watertank. where The
iron horse will stop to drink. If the
lone rider can reach the station before
the train leaves he can leave the coun-
try which he does not like. AS the loco
motive comes nosing cautiously up to
the bridge the horseman drives his
spurs into the cayuse. and the foamine
animal plunges into the roaring river
The swift current carries him down
stream. and the engineers headlight
shines full upon him as he is swept un-
der the bridge.
Beyond the river the engine is stopped
and the occupants of the dark car come
out to look for the man and horse.
Long before they reach the river bank
below the bridge. however, the little
cayuse has touched land. leaped upon
the level bank and gallopcd up to the
station
While the men were still searching for
him along the river. he weary traveller
learned from the agent that the regu-
lar train had passed. that the train
Mt the bridge was Il special. that ii
would not be likely to stop at the tank.
and, if it did it would not take passen-
gers.
And so, being weary and not wishing
tired horse at the rear of the hotel
secured Il room and retired.
Presently the key began calling the
ngent at Green River, and when he
hearkened it told him of a tragedy that
had occurred at Coyote on the morn
ing of that day. A lone desperate had
taken the town. robbed the station
killed the operator (who was the agen,
also). stolen a horse. and escaped. a
special with United States marshal
had gone down the road to look fo1
the murderer. The description that
the new operator had gotten from the
frightened people led the agent al
Green River to believe that the des
Dsradc. had been there but moment
be ,arA When the special pulled up te
the -. and stopped. the agent TOLD
the nlY a1al of the arrival OF the stran
ger.
"That's our man." said the marshal
and lie Immediately surrounded the lit
lie wooden hotel. which was called The
Palmer house Then. having secured
the number of the strangers room. the
They tried the door: it was locked
They knocked and the man said
"Come i'm The marshal said he coult
not. and asked the occupant of TIKI
room TO come out; and the man an
swered: 'Wai, fill get my boots on.
for he loathed die half dressed.
Suddenly the door flew open and til,
hunted man leared into the hall. De
fore the marshal CT his deputy coult
raise hand, the desperate man began
unloading couple of rapid-fring six
shooters in the narrow hallway. TIL
two officers retre1ted, for the first sho
had Jared the hnging hall lamp on
and left them in he dark. Covered b.
cd his own smoke. t,e desperate FOLLOWED
asSa the men down tln stairs. ard befor
assSs he had been missed he was already Owe
s the back fence mo'nting his horse. TIL
I horse was shot OWN by ono of th