Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-08-29

establishing food depots for the final da
ed very much to>one side. But he
quickly regained his seat with an oath,
and, striking the horse, clattered after
his companions. Susan wondered why
the man was disguised and dimiy fan
cied that the three rough-looking stran-
gers were up to some mischief. But
she was thinking of Jack the next mo-
ment and the strange incident was
shelved.
A few moments Of brisk walking
brought her to the brow Of the hill
where the road turned sharply and ran
at an oblique along the side of the steep
descent. Susan seated herself on log
and looked down into the village. which
lay. as 1t were, at her very feet She
traced the one long street of the ham
let. which was but a continuation OF
the highway, and followed the dusty
line past her aunt's trim home, and
the little park with its soldiers mon
ument, and the town hall, and then
along to the bank-Jack's bank-and
there her gaze rested.
Miss Susan's eyes were good ones
and the air was very clear. She saw
a horseman sitting in his saddle at the
bank door. He was holding the brl-
dies of two riderless horses. Even as
she noted this the two riders rushed
from the building and leaped into their
saddles. There were puffs of white
smoke and sharp denotations Susan
could see people running in wild con-
fusion. Then three riders started at a
sharp canter up the road. Every dozen
wards or so one would turn in his sad
die and fire down the roadway.
Susan knew what this strange scene
meant. 1t was a daylight bank rob-
berry. one of a series that terrorized all
the countryside during the past sum-
mer. The three robbers were retreat
ing with their plunder. What had hap
nened in the bank? Why was Jack
/ not pursuing them? She suddenly turn
ed sick and cold.
Then an indescribable impulse seized
her. She let herself over the edge of
| the bank and began mad scramble
down the steep declivity. She meant
to intercept the ruffians. She slid
! she stumbled, once she fell. but she
never let go her hold on her precious
rifle. And then. as the earth suddenly
seemed falling away from her, she
reached the level ground in a confused
heap. But she was on her feet In
moment. The highway was directly be
fore her. The robbers We're canterine
by. The man in the rear was the man
with the beard, and he had coarse
bag flung across the saddle before him
| He was directly opposite Susan as she
plunged down to the edge of the road
way. He must have taken her for al
enemy, for his glittering revolver flew
I'D and he fired in her direction quite
at random. Susan felt a sudden twitcl
at her broad brimmed hat and quickl!
dropDed behind some bushes that linet
the roadway. The barrel of her riff
rose. The robber was rapidly increas
ing the distance between them. Sh'
had him covered. A moment more ant
il might be too late. She thought o
Jack and fired.
The horse of the fleeing man sudden
ly leaped to one side and flung hi
rider heavily to the earth. AS he wen
down he dragged the bag of plunde
with him. The riderless horse gallopet
after his companions.
Then Susan Galton Brown spran
into the roadway and fired five shots i
rapid succession after the two horse
men. She did not aim to hit them, bu
rather to frighten them away. The
hesitated a moment and then dashe
madly ahead; the riderless horse ga
Looping in the rear.
, Susan ran forward to the prostrat
, man. He was unconscious. Sh
stopped over him for a moment an
then drew away the coarse bag. A
she suspected, it was half filed wit
currency. She shuddered as she lool
ed at the livid face of the ruffian an
| then at the blood that was slowly SAT-
| rating his coatsleeve. She began
a feel little faint
I She was aroused by the sound
wheels and the shouting of man.
e light phaeton was coming toward he
r In a moment she recognized the driv'
d as the local livery stable proprieto
d He leaped out beside her.
n Mailed him, didn't your he shou
g ed in a paroxysm Of excitement.
, was Just ready to drive out o n
# stable when they pelted by. As 6
J. into the roadway. l saw you blazi
T. away. Kill hlm?"
Z No" said Susan. He Is stunn
IT by the fall from his horse. l only all
T. ed to break his shoulder"