The Starkville news. (Starkville, Miss.) 1902-1960, 1904-09-23


Mortenson, an then they'll be no pros
ecution, an my casell be dropped. If
thems the feller's that's been doin' all
the holdin' up round here lately they'll
be no tales told when they get through
with him. All I've got to do is to keep
STILL"
But keeping still did not prove so easy,
and IN very short time he got up and
walked out. There was light in the
store where Mortenson was in the habit
of trading and thither he went. There
he learned that Mortenson had driven
out about quarter of an hour previous.
Plenty Of time to head him off, )"
thought Nick; then he stood a moment
irresolute.
His grievance against Mortenson rose
up in his mind, and with it, others.
Once he had been an honest cowboy,
now he was gambler and roustabout,
picking up living as best he might
and what had brought him to it? This
same Stockmar's union, of which Nor
tenson was leading member, and whose
money even then he (Nick) was plan
ming to save They had made him what
he was. and brought similar troubles to
others that he knew, by their Infamous
system of "black-listing," which made
it impossible for cowboy to get en-
ployment again when discharged by
one of their number for any offense,
however slight
This all came back to him, and he
smiled bitterly. Then he threw up his
hot 1x,
and strode down the street. Cant help
it," he said to himself. "Ill play
a square game, if they haven't. l won't
see a man downed without fair shake
If he has played me low"
He went to the shed where he had left
his horse, and led him out. He tightened
his cinches. carefully examined his big
Colts six-shooters, then mounted and
galloped away. leaving the trail and
taking a shorter course across the prai-
rie.
About an hour later he struck the trail
again on the crest of little hill. ana
reiaed N his painting horss EefnFe him
the ground sloped away to the gully
or draw" known as Waterhole creek,
and Just where the trail crossed the ra-
vine stood a thick bunch Of willows. Be-
meath these, as Nick we'll knew, were
hiding two or more desperate men-men
who would hesitate at nothing. we'll
armed and bent on robbery. And these
men he had come to capture, single
handed, to save an enemy!
Nick dismounted and hung his reins
on his saddle horn. Hate to run you
into danger, old boy" he said. patting
the horses neck, but I've got to keep
'em lookin' this way. Go home, old fel-
low Steady, now" and the horse walked
off down the trail Nick loosened his
big, jingling spurs, and threw them by
the roadside. Then he slipped away
down a small ravine which Joined the
creek just beyond the clump Of will
lows.
Half an hour later Mr.. Mortenson
rcined in his team near the crossing and
stared in surprise at the sight before
him. Two masked men stood beside
the road, with their hands held high
above their heads and their eyes fixed
on a pair of huge revolvers, which
cleaned brightly in the moonlight in
the hands of third man.
NICK Bentley. N1oi ICh-
son, as his eyes fell upon the latter.
''At yer service, squire" was the cool
reply. Jest step down and fasten the
gents hands, will ye? They're tired of
holdin' 'em up"
Mortenson did as he was bid.
Now you better load 'em onto your
blackboard an trot 'em back to town,
an thank yer lucky stars that | found
'em afore you did, Their guns is under
the trees thar, some'ers, where they
dropped 'em. You'll find couple OF
their pals hangin' out at Barber's, if ye
go keerful an don't skeer EN-"
Mortenson climbed to his seat and
took up the lines. Mick" said he, in q
husky voice, come into Willetts' about
two o'clock tomorrow. We've got
something to settle with you."
There was plenty of gossip stirring
in Plainfield the following morning.
Squire Mortenson had come near be-
ing robbed and murdered, and Nick
Bentley, a man he had accused OF
''rustling" had saved him. Four des-
perate men, whose liberty had been
menace to the stockmen, had been ar
rested, and this, too, was due to NICK.
Now, rumor said, the delegates to the
local Stockman's union were to meet
the hero of the hour that afternoon at
Willetts store, ready to reward him,
generously, in true western style, in
whatever way he might choose, and
there was much speculation as to what
he would accept. Some thought he
would take land; Others, cattle, and still