Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-01
distance by driving his wooden leg into
the sand at both positions.

NAShahSS ~ diiVihS LID lulV
the sand at both positions.
"All right, Colonel" sung out Samp-
son, and the principals were soon back
to back, weapons in hand, awaiting the
fall of Capt. Blues cap, which was to be
the signal to turn and fire.
From their places of concealmen mt in
the brush Guy and Pettibone were lis
tening to the conversation and watch
ing the sanguinary preparations with
intense interest. Was it to be trag-
edy, after all, instead of farce? Guy
was beginning to grow nervous.
WED better 60 out and stop this be-
fore it's too late" he said, e1citedly to
Pettibone. They'll kill each other"
Don't you believe it, returned the
sheriff, confidently. Clear that! This
is where BillSins and Glimmer take a
hand. and I'll warrant Keever put them
up to it,"
Bilkins and Glimmer had suddenly
leaped from the other patch of timber
and Guy and the sheriff saw them
bound over the intervening space and
hurl themselves upon Col. Keever.
Sampson had also seized his employer
and the three We're struggling with him
in great desperation.
Capt. Blue took pipe from one pock-
ct, handful of tobacco from another,
and filed his pipe bowl calmly and
methodically while watching Keever's
apparently desperate attempt to free
himself.
Stand off" shouted Dingle. Break
away from that scoundrel or I'll ope n
fire on you ALL
No attention was paid to him.
Go for the whole lot, Dingle," ad-
vised the captain, applying a match
to his pipe and putting out little clouds
of white vapor.
Crack" came shot from the little
Colonefs revolver.
The bullet pumped into the ground
at the feet of the struggling quartet,
throwing squirt of sand into the air.
At this ominous sound the four Con-
cordians separated and began to run.
The report also frightened the horse
attached to the Colonies buggy and the
animal took to wild gallop and van
ished over the swell in twinkiing.
Crack! crack! crack" volleyed the
little Colonies revolver, and faster,
faster fed the pursued, the gallant
Keever, despite his ayoirdupois, keep
ing we'll in the lead.
Dingle gave chase and continued to
follow until his weapon was empty and
his foes out of sight, then he returned.
shook hands with Capt. Blue, and they
unhitched their horse, climbed into the
red-wheeled gig and drove uncon-
cernedly away.
Pettibone was rolling on the ground,
kicking his heels and choking with
tumultuous mirth. Guy shared the
sheriff's enjoyment, with the same APP
probation if not the same abandon,
but the laughter died suddenly upon,
his lips. He had CHANGED to look out
over the sandy shore of the lake and
the vision that met his gaze had hushed
his merriment. After he had turned
away to rub his eyes he looked again.
Could he believe the evidence of his
senses?
Pettibone was not slow to observe
the change that had come over his COM
panion. Getting up quickly. he drew
close to Guys side and likewise peered
through the bushes. :
Great Jupiter!" he exclaimed. "If
there amt Vlandingham's daughter
and another girl, I'm Hottentot! pll
just 60 out and interview them"
He started out as he spoke, but Guy
grabbed him and jerked him roughly
back.
mo, you don't!" said the young man,
firmly.