Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-01
CHAPTER XIII,

NAAAAAaeh anu IcttlDOne separated, sur
rounded him and pressed cautiously in
from three points of the compass.
When within dozen feet of the young
man the sheriff threw up his right
hand. This was a prearranged signal
for the attacking force to halt for a
parley.
III you try to resist US. Herbert"
said Pettibone, menacingly, you'll be
mighty sorry for it before we get
through. I'm good Teller, as said,
but even good Teller is generally able
to toll when he's got enough
Where did Bilkins and Glimmer
come from ?" inquired Guy.
I'VE eircled around back to get our
horses" spoke up Glimmer.
we didn't know but those two Har-
nrny chaps might stiT be here" adj
mitted Lcmuel artlessly, $50 we did
our eirclin' t'other side the swell and
out of sight My, thought / was
goner, sure, te-he-hc! My legs We're
about ten feet too short, and goodness
knows they're plenty long for most
occasions. The Colonel's runnin' yet"
|. IF l didn't know the Colonel so
well" said Glimmer, 81 should think
he was a coward. But man who saw
so much slaughter in our late war
souldn't be that. / wasn't afraid my
seif''-Glimmer glared through his
iron glasses-"and just ran after the
Colonel to see if couldn't persuade
him to. come back" He shook his fist
in the direction of Harmony. eff I
ever meet that Cap'n Blue alone"
He had finished with an ominous frown
linnd shake Of the head.
"oh. yes" commented Pettibone,
sascastically, "if you ever get at Capn
Blue, I suppose there won't be any
thing left but splinters. Will you sur
render, Herbert, or have we got to
l3close in on you?"
~ have half notion to close in
On you,'. returned Guy, irritably.
You've, made pretty mess of this!
Those ladies are positive now that
I lad the three of you lying in am
bush"
81 don't care what they think" an
swered the sheriff. "I'd probably be
lying over there yet if Bilkins and
iGlimmer hadn't passed close enough
to hear me call to them. You'll have
to be locked up after this
TRY to lock me up and you may
find you've caught Tartar" reforted
Guy. Because I have submitted
Peaceably to your surveillance. that
is no sign do not know my rights.
I've broken no law and if you try any
high-handed measures I'll make this
county too hot to hold you fellows.
If necessary, I'll have a company of
soldiers here to protect me-"
''The Harmony Invincibles, I sup
pose," sneered Pettibone.
"No, sir; a company of regulars
| from Standing Rock OF Fort Totten.
"Think you didn't break any law
when you knocked my head against
| that tree root and tied me up with q
halter, eh?"
Pettibone rubbed the back of his
head as he said this and assumed such
| an injured air that Guy had to laugh
in spite of his vexation.
Lem Bilkins te-hed once more, Glim-
met unbent himself SO far as to smile
| and Pettibone, who always had laugh
lurking somewhere close to the sur
! face, was caught in the general
| hiiarity.
Anyway" qualified the sheriff,
"there amt going to be much fun
in this for you, Herbert. OF course,
you haven't broken any Of the statutes,
bat the Concord folks won't stop to
think of that"
| well, I've an idea that 1 can take
care Of myself" said Guy. 81 have
| told you once OF twice and tell you
again, haven't done anything trea-
sonable and I'm just as loyal to Con-
cord as Col. Keever himself"
Glimmer and Biltins exchanged sly
giances and Uttered suggestively.
Guy kindled at this but said nothing
and went with Pettibone to help him
back the horse and carriage out of
the brush. By the time they were
started, Glimmer and Bilkins were two
galloping specks on the horizon.
You're pretty powerful in set to-"
observed Pettibone, driving with one
hand and stroling the back of his head
with the other. "Your looks are de-
ceivin', Herbert"
Perhaps the rest of the Concord
people Will find that out if they take
too arbitrery course" said Guy, sig
nifcantly.
II was only trying to do my duty
and you treated me a. little bit rough, !"
continued Pettibone, "but know how
It is. A pair Of blue eyes have be-
witohed more than one young ferler,
and Tn not going to lay up anything
against you. ] don't think you'd be
such fool as to help Harmony at the
expense Of Concord, knowingly, but
Miss Betty Is pretty cute. She's cod
dim you along just to find out what
our side is doing, and"
You're mistaken!" cried Guy so
sharply and suddenly that Pettibone
gave startled jump and then settled
back in his seat with a low whistle.
Miss V1nndinsham is far above any
such double-dealing as that"
The sheriff shook his head hope
leRely @