The Washington times., 1905-03-12


ing the actions of their leader, whom
he could easily follow by his dress. ana
who rode behind his band IN retreat. as
If to protect It. He wore light gray
shirt and a big white sombrero on the
back of his head.
He was a brilliant rider. and guided
his superb horse with his knees, while
he fought with a pistol IN each hand.
They had not ridden far. and the man
on the white horse and his party were
closing up rapidly. when, with mar
vicious rapidly, the = party IN fight
wheeled.
Al that instant Sanford could almost
feel the shock Of collision. as the horses
OF both parties came together. The man
on the white horse ana. he Of the white
sombrero were pr The Instant. engaged
ia a hand-to-hssnd conflict.
z~-fffesl were side by side. the man in
the soInbrero havilag the advantage IN
horse and horseniansbp. Their mounts
wheeled RAPIDLY. locked together by the
stirrup of the man in the ssombrero.
The two men were striking at each
other, using their heavy revolvers as
clubs. guarding their heads with their
arms.
Their followers had each chosen his
Ma h and were lighting fiercely. Save for
the thud of the blows and the painting of
the men. or an occasional curse as a
blow landed, they fought silently.
Sanford watched the combat with a
sense of exhilaration he had never
known 1t wac the most intense spec
tacie he had ever witnessed.
His heart beat nigh for the hope of the
success Of his rescueTs. Until d moment
before the battle had seemed equal
far f7pjtf7o,- Sfde IA Ie.et
cept for the wounded rider, who. cling
ing to his saddle, had been swept out OF
the fight by his frightened horse
Suddenly the man on she white horse
was staggered by a btow, and his de-
Tending arm dropped 10 his side His
f.s1rse sprang away under the spur
The man gave a hoarse shout of COM
mand and instantly he and his follow
ers broke their horses into galiop. and
We're off. Straight into the south they
rode. with the man in the sorlbrrro in
pursuit, his followers usteriug shriIi cries
of triumph.
Sanford watched them go out Of sight
over swell on the prairie. but soon
fhey came riding slowly back, painting
from their exertions and laughing at the
| success OF their adventure.
Sanford stood beside the dead pony.
Hello, old man. said the man in the.
white sombrero, as he came abreast of
Sanford. How did you come out? They
nearly got you, didn't they?'.
When ne spoke Sanford started for
ward and looked eagerly into his face.
FRANK. he exclaimed. Its Frank
Dofsa., it? / am Walter Sanford :.
The man in the white soTlbrero jumped
from his horse and grasped Sanford 5
hand
by holy, but I'm glad to see vo,,.
| Wait, he said This is sure s,. prise
party Well, If this isn't lucky I'm {.
coyote.
| How did it happen that you got here
Just IN time 10 save me?s asked Sanford
got your telegram, and went at once
| 90 AIaaarko to wait for you.'' replied
Donsaa. Il met bunch of cow purchers
there, and We went into camn Tl,is
ieveI1iIls l was jogging along the road 10
the traders store. when / met IN win n
gang Of punchers riding toward Chick
asha As / come up to them / reeog-
nized Bob Raider. I've had five years
experience with this same Raider and
the minute I see him know he's IN to
some dirt. l thought first that 1t was
train robbing. which is one of Raiders
accomplishments .
And what did you do them, as,.ad
Sanford.
went on to the settlement. h,,t 7
didn I hear nothing OF Raider until 7
get to the telegraph office at the Indian
asIat's house,
And then?"
The telegraph operator there is an
old friend of mine. we know bean IF
officiai secrets together When I come
In he says. Frank, do you knew a man
named Raidier2' Bob Raider? Sure |
DO, says l. 'WeII.' he says, Il got a
telegram for Raider this Afternoon Ia
go out on the Chickasha trail and head
on a felier-I disremember his name
and keep him safe for a few weeks.
Just as I thought" said Sanford. at
was from Hart.
Well. continued DOMAIN, when
heard that made up my mind TO trail
hSaidieT.-ise mad II In for him for sew
eraI years; besides, It's my duty to look
after gents that make iivin' like what
Raider does
But who is Raidler?", asked Sanford
Raider has been scouting from the
parshals for three years." replied Do
nan, He's the smoothest man In his
business in the territory. He has been
train robber, bootlegger. and an ali
around bad man, I've been sent ont
five times TO bring him In. Each time
he got away, and ! have three of his
bullets in me. That's what / know
about Bob Raider.
Now let's hit the road back TO Ana
darko, and I'll tell you now it hap
pened," he went on. Here, one of you
boys give my friend a boss. and double
up"
"A man cheerfHlly dismounted, gave
Sanford his horse, and climbed up be-
hind one OF his compatriots. The party
then turned 20 the west. Sanford and
DOMAIN In the lead.
.Pickin' up the story again. said
Donar. as they rode along, when the
operate or told me about that Raider tel
egrana. I loped back TO the camp. and
swore in the boys as a marshal's posse.
They were all dead willing. for you
never saw & COW puneher who didrl t
like a scrap. and we set out on Bob
Raiders trail. ! never had no notion
that It was yois that Raider was going
10 hold UP, Walt, or. by gum. I'D a got
HIM sure"
As they rode along Sanford told Do
nan what he knew of Harris mission IN