Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-07

outlined against the light and was not ex-
pecting anything. But he only clipped a
chunk out of my hat brim. | put five
mighty sudden bullets into the fence corner
where the flash came from, but the fellow
got away in the darkness.
''Once two of US were rushing a jacket
pronounce 1t hackeD, which is what they
call their novels of sticks and mud or
boards and canvas, where we were expect
ing to find some Mexicans who were want
ed for stealing. We rode as close as we
could in the mesquite, sprang from our
horses and sprinted across the little clear
ing to the door, which was the only exit
Just as the sergeant lifted his foot to kick
the crazy door down it flew open and two
shots We're fired from inside. Both missed,
though were within twenty feet of the
muZzles of the guns.
we returned the fire instantly, badly
wounding both Mexicans. Although they
had the advantage of position they were
ZOO ratified to shoot straight. 1t Is ticklish
work rushing those jackets. Sometimes we
find a dozen men inside. They have every
chance to kill any one who attempts to ap-
proach, and sometimes they have the inci-
nation, but they never seem to make good.
Fired Without Strengthening Up.
Another time the captain and / were
looking for some Mexicans who had been
stealing cattle. We came upon three calves
tied and lying on the ground In the chap
arral. We knew, Of course, that the thieves
were near. The captain rode forward
little ways and came suddenly upon Mex
lean tying a calf. The Mexican saw him
at the same instant and without stl aight
ening up fired but missed. Before he could
try again the Captain brought him down
with bullet through his head. 1t was
just as well anyway, because we probably
could not have secured his conviction even
though we caught him with the goods on.
In that part of the country 1t was little
too easy for men accused of cattle stealing
to escape conviction.
But the days when a peace officer finds
it necessary to use firearms are disappear
ing in Texas. The Anglo-Saxon outlaw
has become extinct and the Mexicans are
as docile doves, for the most part. The
minority who were inclined to be obstrep-
erous have been subdued so thoroughly that
they scarcely dare breathe for week after
a ranger passes by. When a Mexican gets
within earshot of our camp he always hal
loos to let US know he Is coming. If he
doesn't we thrash him with a lariat ana
make him so back and approach in
proper manner. AS a result we can go
away for a week and leave our camp I'M
guarded and not thing will be touched.
Once in a while Mexican fills up on mes
cal and starts in TO abuse a ranger. but
we merely knock him down with a revolver
butt and go on. Next day Mr.. Mexican
s sure to come around and tell us We did
right and assure us he bears no i'll will
ON account of the affair.
Not an Ideal Residence.
Thirty years ago, when the rangers
were organized western Texas was not ex-
actly an ideal place of residence. The coun-
try was full of horse thieves, cattle rust
lers, highwaymen and outlaws. both Anglo
Saxon and Mexican, who stopped at moth
ing. The rangers were called into exist
ence extreme measure to enforce
respect for the law and they did il.
In those days they fought many pitch
ed battle against desperate odds with or
ganized bands of outlaws. They never
gave up a pursuit because OF fatigue or
international boundaries or anything else
On memorable occasion four rangers
who had followed some Mexican cattle
thieves across the Rio Grande found them
selves surrounded by overwhelming
force. One swan the river and got to