Daily camera., 1901-08-08
An Army Wife.
BY CAPTAIN CHARLES KING.

ICopyrlehted 1900. by L. tennyson NeeyJ
Merriam shook his head. The situa-
ton had few points in its favor
Obcdicnt to his orders to pursue and
capture the gang, Randy had ridden
hard, vet over many mile had he asked
himself the qucstion-SuPpose they re-
sist arrest. what's to be done? He had
no warrant lie was not even Il deputy
sheriff, rot even the humblcst con
stituent of posse comitatus. If he or
his men returned their fire and shot
some OF these unnatural naturHlized
voters and citizens, like as net an in
Gictmcnt for murder would G hanging
over his head, if not hanging him in the
course of u fortnight True, there was
fore the civil authorities could be
brought into play the murlerers 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 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 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
rencgadcs 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, provocation or eX-
asperation, they keep cool heads and
tcmpcrs. only shoot when the law per-
miis, but then shoot to kill. No claim
of self-defcnsc could be allowed. They
were the pursuing and therefore the
attacking party, 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 brutal soldiery.
Zip-bang.- second shot. Bing-
egg wrrrrr-bang! another, and Corp
oral Butts ducked his head and swore
and Trooper Mullen's charger sIuealed
and lunged and kicked viciously with the
seam of bullet sca,hing his flank and
plowing the haunch. They were clos
ing on the ruflians fast, then, and the
temptation was overpowering. Il can't
ride my men in to be shot down like
dogs" growled Randy. in for penny
in for a pound. They started it, any
way" he said 10 himself, then turned in
saddle and waved high his forage cap.
"Close up! Close up, mem" he cried,
meaning to draw rein, slacken speed 4
fore closing for action. The MeNicans
were plainly winded. Their half-staryed
brutes had carried them under bloody
squirting as far as they could and were
now barely staggering along. Wha;
their riders dreaded was summary
stringing up to the railway telegraph
poles if captured. Better die fighting
said the leader. and fight i, was.
They were close TO the entrance of
little ravine that set in among The bar
rcn slopes from the open ground 10 III
east. All the way from the Santa Clar'
the ascent had been gradual but dis
tinctly marked, and just as the fore
mos; rider spurred around the shouldc
cf the hillside his painting bronch'
stumbled. went down, rolled hclplessl.
over and lay there dead to kicks, curse
or blows. Three of the gang iashcd on
ward. leaving their couEtrymnn to hi
fate, but two of them, better nerved
reincd up. alightcd. and, THROWN.
themselves flat upon the ground, opene'
again a rapid and telling fire from thci
Winchestars. Mira. cl Tenientc," wa
the word. linked with savage Spanisl
curse that Missed from the blacl. lips o
The nearest, and in an instant Merriam
became the target for the sharp fire o
three magazine rifles. famous for thci
accuracy at no greater distance thar
the 900 yards that now separated them
Almost before he could realize ii Rand.
felt sharp sting just at the outer edg
of his bride arm, ard knew that tn
blood gushcd from the wound. The
all of sudden his poor troop hors
plunged heavily forward, and, groanin;
and struggling. went down in heal
bearing his rider help,essly with him
Two minutes more, as some of tn
men dismounted and with rapid AM