The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-05-15
CHAPTER X-Continued.

I'm out, and that's enough. AS you
gentlemen appear to be in anything but
an agreeable frame of mind, kindly
ride out of my way and let me pass on"
mot much!"e cried Pinney. you've
escaped and you've got to go back with
u.s." y
That's the ticket" said 'Leffingwell,
.g'ancing sharply at the horse Guy was
riding.
The three others, whom Guy did not
know. were equally as positive that he
should go back to Concord. Pettibone
knitted his brows over the problem
but said nothing. His horse stood
directly in front of Guys and as he re-
f1ected he snapped his quirt absently
against his boot leg.
"Hear me a minute, gentlemen"
said Guy. "Idon't wantto have clash
and I'm sure every thing will be pleas
ant between us if you'll only be reason
able. Yesterday I was given my choice
either of leaving town or being locked
up. 1, didn't care to leave town then,
but I'm willing to do so now. Why do
you want to stopme?''
yesterday we had the courthouse"
blurted out Leffingwell, "and to-day
the other people have got it. That
makes all the difference in the world.
You've assisted the other people and l
suppose you want to go over there and
help them celebrate. I, for one, am in
favor of taking you back to Concord
and treating you as you Deserve"
$50 am T." seconded Pinney.
The rest were of the same mind.
even the sheriff Joined with the 9TH
ers.
AS Pettibone voiced the agreement
with his companions, he flashed Guy
a meaning glance and the quirt flew
awkwardly from his hand. Dis
mounting, the sheriff led his horse
aside and bent to pick up his whip.
This made breach in the Gordon
that surrounded the young man and
left the road, for the moment, clear
before him. In trice he inter-
preted Petitioners look and dug his
, heels into his horses sides. The ami
NAL sprung away like shaft from
bow.
'Stop!" roared Pinney, but he
might as well have ordered the wind
to cease blowing.
"Stop or I'll shoot!" shouted Lef-
fngwell, drawing a revolver from
his pocket and sighting it quickly.
Still Guy did not halt and Petit
bone knocked the liveryman's arm
downward before he could fire.
"None of that, Leffingwell!" cried
the sheriff. "Chase after him, that's
the thing to do.'
Thereupon the six of them had re-
course to their spurs and quirts.
The horses of the pursuers had
seen hard service that morning and
were at a disadvantage. Guys
mount, on the contrary, was COM
paratively fresh, and he could see,
by the hasty glance which he occa-
sionally threw over his shoulder, that
he was slowly increasing the distance
that separated him from those be-
hind.
There was a point where the road
forked, one branch leading on to
Amityville and the other turning
sharply in the direction of Harmony.
Pursued and pursuers were drawing
close to this point. Guys attention
was taken up by those behind and
Pettibone and his companions had
eyes for no one but the young man
IN front. Thus it happened a large
contingent of mounted men squirting
swiftly along the Harmony road,
failed to capture the notice of those
on the other trails
Realization was brought suddenly
home to the Concordians by ter
rifle yell from the Harmonyites. Pet
tlbone and his friends drew rein,
panic-stricken, and whirled to flee.
Capt. Blue was coming at the head
OF his lnvincibles, score at least.
and the sun shimmered upon the pol
1shed gun barrels that lay across
their saddles.
Guy was between two fires. AS it
made little difference to him which
way he went, he kept straight on.
He saw at least half dozen of the
lnvincibles raise their guns to their
shoulders. Instantly he threw up
his hand.
Don't shoot!" he cried, thinking
the weapons were aimed at him.
I'm unarmed!"
At that precise juncture a report
came from behind him and bullet
sang past his ear. He turned in his
saddle to launch threat and warn
ing at Pettibone and his men and,
just as he did so,> spiteful volley
leaped from the muzzles of the
leveled guns ahead.
Guy felt sharp sting in his side
as though knife-point had pricked
him.
"stop shooting!" he cried again,
and the quivering impotence of his
voice amazed him. 'Stop shooting or
you'n kill somebody" He had in
tended to make the shout lusty
one but it was scarcely more than q
whisper. .-...