The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-07-31

ment or arouse excitement. They
knew perfectly the laissez-faire rela-
tons which obtained between the two
WeSterners.
Now said Black Hank angrily, in
low tone, ~ want to know why you
tried that monkey game.
Billy, wary and unafraid, rephed
mat he had tried no game, that ne
mad forgotten the tenderfoot Tor a
moment, and that he did not believe
the latter would prove to be the
sought-for express messenger.
one of the men, as a signal from
his leader, relieved Billy's belt of con-
siderable weight. Then the latter was
permitted to sit on a cracker box. TWO
| more mounted the little stairs. In q
| moment they returned to report thai
the upper story contained no human
beings, strange or otherwise, except
the girl but that there remained a
small trunk Under further orders
| they dragged the trunk down into the
| bafroom. 1t was broken open ana
found to contain cloths, of the plains
mans cut, material and state of wear
| a neatly folded Mexican saddle show
| ing use, and a rawhide quirt
'Tenderfoot!' said Black Hank con-
temptuously.
The outlaws had already scatterea
outside to look for the trail. In this
! they were unsuccessful reporting in
| deed, that not the faintest sign indi-
Gated escape in any direction.
Billy knew his man. The Tightening
of Black Hanks clcse-knit brow
| meant but one thing. one does MOI
gain chieftainship of any kind in the
| West without propping ascendancy
with acts of ruthless decision. Billy
| leaped from his cracker box with tht
| suddenness of the puma, seized Black
| Hank firmly about the waist, whirlec
| him into sort of shield and began al
| earnest struggle for the instant pos
| session of the outlaws drawn revolver
] It was n gallant attempt, but unsuc-
| cesSful. In Il moment Billy was pm
| toned to the floor and Black Hank was
rubbing his abraded forearm. After
that the only question was whether II
should be rope or bullet.
| Now, when Billy had gone doWT
stairs, the stronger has wasted no moro
time at the window He had in his
| possession $4,000 in greenbackS
which he was to deliver as soon a:
POSSIBLE to the Buck Train Agency il
wyoming The necessary change OF
stage lines had forced him to stay
over night at Billy Knapp's hotel.
| The messenger seized his bag ano
softly ran along through the canvas
| nartitiOned rooms wherein Oily SiSp
| to a narrow window which he had al
ready noticed gave out almost directly
into the pine woods. The window was
Of oiled paper, and it's catch batiiec
him. He knew it should slide back
but it refused to slide for him. lie
did not dare TO break the paper be
cause of the cracking noise. voice
at his shoulder startled him.
"I'll show you" whispered the red
checked girl
She was wrapped loosely In q blan
| ket. her hair falling about her should
err. and her bare feet showing beneath
her coverings. The little man suffer
ed at once an agony of embarrass
ment in which the thought of his er
rand was lost. 1t was recalled to hin
| by the girl.
There you are!" she whispered
showing him the open window.
"Thank you" he stammered pam
| fully. 81 assure you-I wish
| The girl laughed under her breath
CHATS all right" she said heartily
81 owe you that for calling old wills
l<ers off his bronze" and she kissed
| him.
The messenger, trembling with self
consciousness. climbed hastily through
| the window, ran the broad loop of th'