The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-04-04


them. Don't keep us waiting"
| Howell looked in the faces Of bis
men and saw that while they were
brave men who would not hesitate al
| fair odds, they would not deliberately
| throw away their lives. He could moi
blame them. The odds were insur'
mountable. Still, he was unwilling tc
turn back without accomplishing his
mission.
| He thought for a moment. then
turned to his comrades and said:
Boys, I'm going after those cattle
and want you. to be ready to fight on
the rustIers when I bring them back
Get of your horses and act as II you
were waiting for me to have talk with
them, but be ready"
To all appearances, Allan Howell
rode forward to confer with the out
laws. They evidently so explained
his action, for they allowed him to adj
vance unmoIested to the foot Of the
bIut. Here he had gained the farther
side Of the herd. He was also screened
from the outlaws by the brow of the
hill.
Looking back. he could see that his
men had obeyed his orders literally,
and were sitting or standing about in
easy positions, but keeping convenient
ly near their horses. He noted, too,
that the cattle were restive.
Suddenly Howell wheeled his horse
to the right, dashed along the base Of
the bluff. and tearing his yellow
s'slicker" from his saddlebow he faunt-
ed 1t with one hand. while with the
other he discharged voley of shots.
And he yelled as only a cow-man can
yell.
Now there is nothing that will
frighten Western range steer worse
than waving slicker, and as Howell
expected, pandemonium broke loose at
once. With wild snorts and great
clashing of horns the herd rushed
away.
The guards, dashinG up, only in
creased the stampede, and directed 1t
upon Howell's party. who opened their
line to let it pass, then closed up be-
hind it to prevent pursuit.
The cattle were recovered! From
the stockmen there went up great
shout of triumph, from che bluff a yell
of rage. And the solitary horseman,
galloping in the wake Of the fleeing
herd, became the target Of vicious
volley.
One bullet carried away his hat: an
other paraiyzed an arm, while third
killed the horse under him. Down he
went with great crash!
To Allan Howell's horror, the animal
In falling, pinned him to the ground
Handicapped by his wounded arm,
his utmost efforts could not avail to
draw his leg from beneath the horse.
Meanwhile. the earth about lin was
torn with the leaden hail. More terri
Bile still. ne saw through the dust cloud
that his comrades, supposing that he
was coming safely on. We're hurrying
after the cattle. Wounded and help
less, he was being .leedlessly aban-
doned by those whose interests he had
sought 10 serve.
Then the fire ceased. and he heard
the thread of horses hoofs. Look
ing up, he saw one Of the desperadoes
riding up, with his pistol leveled. The
sickening terror of death came upon
him with the binding flash.
The next moment he realized. to his
surprise, that he still .ivedl One more
bullet had entered the body Of poor old
Tom Them the man, mere boy,
swung himself from the saddle.
"Lie still until We get away" he
said, in an undertone. With mighty
effort he pulled the dead horse from
Allan's leg. Then he continued, I'm
sorry, mister, but I'll have to take your
six-shooter, or the boys will come for it
and make trouble" ald picking up the
weapon, he rode away.
The next Allan Howell knew, the
big Missourian was raising him in his
arms. while his comrades were stand
ing about looking on with deep con-
Germ and sincere contrition.
"Oh, he's coming out Of it now,
boysp' the big man said, with ringing
note of gladness in his voice. Then
himself to Allan, he con-
tlnued. "We didn't see you go down,
and thought you were safe till the
dust cleared away. Then we came
back to get ye Allan. The rustlers
have skedaddled, and you're out of
danger. So don't worry"
But he was not out Of danger. They
tok him home and put him to bed,
and 1t was several months before he
recovered his former health and spirits.
But from that hour his hair was whit
ened. and to is friends he las ever been
DAD Howell Youths Companion.