The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-04-11

wv VIZ wa
were waiting for me t. have a talk witt
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 ad
vance unmolested to the foot of the
bluff. 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
" near their horses. He noted, loo,
that the cattle were FESTIVE.
Suddenly Howell wheeled his horse
to the right, dashed along the base OF
the bluff, and tearing his yellow
"slicker" from his saddlebow, lie faunt'
ed it with one hand. while with the
other he discharged a voliey Of shots.
And he yelled as only a cow-man can
yell,
Now there is nothing that will
| brighten a Western range steer worse
than a waving slicker, and as Howell
expected, pandemonium broke loose at
once. With wild snorts and a great
clashing of horns the herd rushed
away.
The guards, dashinS up, only in
creased the stampede. and directed it
upon Howelrs 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 a great
shout of triumph, from the bluff a yell
of rage. And the solitary horseman,
galloping in the wake of the fleeing
herd, became the target of a vicious
volley.
One bullet carried eway his hat: an
other paralyzed an arm, while a third
killed the horse under him. Down he
went with q great crash!
To Allan Howelrs 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 Linn was
torn with the leaden hail. More terri
BILE still, he saw through the dust cloud
that his comrades, %supposing that he
was coming safely on, were hurryinS
after the cattle. Wounded and help
less, he was being .ieedlessly aban-
doned by those whose interests he had
sought 10 serve.
Then the fire ceased. and he heard
the thread of q horses hoofs. Look
ing up, he saw II 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 lived! One more
bullet had entered the body of poor old
Tom. Then the man, a mere boy,
swung himself from the saddle.
ellie still until We get away" he
said, in an undertone. With a 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" aid picking up the
weapon, he rode away.
The next Allan Howell knew, the
big M~issourian was raising him in his
arms, while his comrades We're stand
ing about, looking on with deep con-
Germ and sincere contrition.
"Oh, he's coming out of 1t now,
boys" the big nan said, with {. ringing
note of gladness in his voice. Then
addressing himself. to Allan. he con-
tinued, eve 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 rustiers
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 it 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 has ever been
Dad" Howell.-Youtb's Companion.