The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-04-24

1 SrOunQ. you SiI lldC rope UdCh VI LIZ
seat" turning to his confederate.
They marched him across the o.
, and tied him fast with his back to a
pine, a yard of two off the highway.
Their work done, they turned to leave,
but a peculiar idea struck the big man.
who apparently had a sense of grim
humor in his makeup. He pulled the
cork from the bottle and politely offer
ed the helpless victim a drink.
I'll hold it up for you, seem your
hands is tied" he said, laughingly.
Bill Jones spat another yellow stream
and refused in just six words:
Tin p'tic'lar who I drink with"
law, come on advised the man with
the Winchester, glancing about fur
lively.
Here, you hold this was the others
reply, handing him the bottle. Then
in the same even, icy tones he had used
once before during their short meeting,
he again addressed the mulepuncher.
You been so blamed gabby, I'll just
take that money you offered awhile
ago-and that watch, too. Maybe you
amt Wells, Fargo, but you're too
fresh.
Accordingly, he sat down the heavy
HNo oAAo 44llCu LIZA OAA& I'M 1>oR
ing a harvest of $50 and the gold watch.
Then Bill Jones swore, but hat would
not look we'll in print-his language
thought it was eloquent n expressive.
The big man joined his companion,
and both took a long pull at the bottle.
Here's to you, hopin' We'll meet
again. Glad to see you any time you
happen along" and the big man laugh
ed a little as he drew up his mask a
trif1e to quaf the fiery liquor. Ugh!
That's cheap stuff-tastes rotten" as
he finished.
Well meet again, all right, and you
won't be glad, neither" returned the in
dignant driver, who saw his whisky
being emptied down the f~reebooters'
threats.
Soon their steps died away in the
forest, down the hillside.
A short hundred yards, and the man
with the Winchester began exhibiting
all the signs of ~intoxication. He sagg-
ed behind his companion. dragging his
feet, his head curiously wobbly. Sud-
denly he gathered himself into a little
run,g roaned and staggered against the
big man.
What the hell's the matter with
you?" the latter demanded, sharply.
I'm a liar if you amt drunk! Now
Iyou brace up or-ohI' and a gasp fin
ished the sentence, as his free hand
sought his brow, an ~unaccountable dir
illness sweeping over him.
IT amt drunk-Im poisoned" scream
ed the little man, in an agony of fear.
My God, Jake, that whisky's fixed!
oh, my head, my head! I'm that dizzy
T aa-s{ -:4:- 5--1-
an-oh, Jake! Jake!"
He staggered blindly, flung out his
arms, and fell his length among the
dry, dusty pine needles. There he lay
m~otionless.
The big man, whom he had designat-
ed for the first time by name, gazed at
the body a moment in horror. Then he
felt himself going. He dropped the
canvas bag containing their ill-gotten
gains, drew his heavy Col't navy and
turned back up the slope.
I'll git that white-1ivered--
if it's the last act of my life!' he raved
tearing off the mask that he might see
the better. Sometimes he fell, sick and
giddy, but his iron will brought him
to his feet again. Staggering as he ran
for the slope was gentle, the forest
seemed whirling about him. He recall.
lied it was now a question of seconds
between him and his revenge. With g
crash he stumbled over some dried
Dried branches across his path. The
delay maddened him and he struggled
fiercely to IN upright position, cursing
with maniacal fury. He was no longer
a human being. The madness and an.
ger of a wounded lion ragged within him
D.TI
for the first time a look of fear cam
into his face. a moments fearful calm
n his powerful frame suddenly be.
came a mass of quickening activity
He struggled and tugged at his bond.
like a mailman, his cheeks b~lanched. {
frightened, agonized CLEAN in his wide
gray eyes. His efforts We're useless
The rope held him as though bound t.
the tree with bands of steel. The swe
stood out On his forehead in great beads
and his breath came in quick grasp:
from his terrific e~xertions.
He could see the big man with tn,
heavy Colts navy now just across tn,
road. Another moment-a shudder o.
hopelessness shook him from head t.
foot. as he realized the end-and sucf
an endi
IOQ-OdInn-yOu 11n-SOln- TO
pant
ed the robber, painfully, slowly. from
the farther side of the road Second.
were hours to him now Another steI
might rob him of his vengeance, fol
he felt it already growing dark. Still
he was near enough for a man whC
could teach half the bad men" in the
West TO shoot.
| The helpless man with his back to tn
pine ceased to struggle. He was staring
straight at the Colt S navy. A sharl
crack and a dull 'chuch!" as the bal
struck the tree. just grazing the top O.
Bill Jones scalp. The robber had miss
ed, for night was falling fast, though
the morning was still young. He tot
tered and fell, heavily gained his knees
cursing hoarsely.
Observation-Disclosures" he gaSped