The diamond drill., 1906-05-12
CHAPTER xI.-contInued.

OnAP ! Eh Nls-Continucu.
couldn't make out this new move,
and puzzled over II. while Judge VIII
son ordered my commitment. But
the next stop revealed the object. for
the lawyer then asked for search
warrant TO look for stolen property.
The Judge was equally obliging, and
began TO M one out on the instant
This made me feel pretty serious.
for the letters were in my breast.
pocket. and swore az my own stu
pldity In not having put them in the
station safe when l had first arrived
at Ash Forks There weren't many
moments In which 70 think while the
judge scribbled away at the warrant.
but in what time there was / did a
lot or head-work. without. however,
finding more than one way out OF the
snarl And when | saw the Judge
fnlsh on his signature with a flourish
! played pretty desperate card.
You're just loo late, gentlemen,
! said, pointing out the side window
Of the saloon. There come the cav
airy"
The three conspirators jumped 20
their feet and bolted for the window;
even the sheriff turned 10 look. As
lie did so gave him a shove towards
the three which sent them all sprawl
ing on the floor In a pretty badly
miXed-up condition. | made n dash
for the door, and as | went through
Il | grabbed the key and locked them
In. When / turned 10 do 50 | saw
the lot struggling up from the floor
and, knowing that IL wouldn't take
them many seconds 10 find their way
out through the window, didn't
waste much time in watching them.
Camp Baldwin. and the Judge had
left their horses just outside the sa-
loon, and there they were sull pa
tiently standing with their brides
thrown over their heads. as only
Western horses will stand. 1t didn't
take me long TO have those brides
back In place, and as / tossed each
over the peak OF the Mexican saddle
] gave two Of the ponies saps which
started them of at a loDe across the
railroad tracks. | swung myself into
the saddle Of the third, and nicked
him with the loose ends OF the bride
in a way which made him understand
that meant business
Baldwins cowboys had most or
them scattered 20 the various saloons
OF the place, but two OF them were
standing IN the doorway Of store.
| acted so quickly. however. that they
didn't seem 20 take in what | was
about till | was well mounted Then
heard a yell. and fearing that they
might shoot.--fo the cowboy does
love 10 use his gun turned sharp
at the saloon corner and rode up the
side street. just In time 10 see Camp
climbing through the window, with
Baldw.ns head in view behind him.
Before / had ridden a hundred feet
I realized that ! had a doneup horse
under me. and, considering that he
had covered over forty miles that ar
ternoon ia pretty quick time Il was
not surprising that there wasn't very
much go left In him, I knew that
Baldwin, cowboys could get new
mounts I'm plenty without wasting
many minutes, and that then they
would overhaul me In very short or
~ Clearly there was no use In my
attempting to escape by running And,
as I wasn't armed. my only hope was
TO beat them by some fncssc
Ash Forks Hike all Western rail.
road towns. IS one long line OF build
ings running parallel with the rail-
way tracks Two hundred feet there.
fore. brought me TO tho edge OF the
town, and / wheeled my pony and
rode down behind the rear OF the
buildings, In turning looked back.
and saw half a dozen mounted men
already In pursuit, but lost sight OF