Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-14
CHAPTER XII.
The Gun Fight.

Before supper that evening a passing
traveller carried letter to my rancho, and
when my boys found out that there was
going to be trouble in town they surely
flirted gravel for fear of arriving too late
/ placed them at CONVENIENT saloon, ex-
plaiEed my plans, made them swear that
they would not stray. Then I went to
Curly's room and lay low showing no light,
but watching the Mortuary Hotel just
across the street.
Ryan sat there In his piazza ruddy and
full broad and bald as a barn, ripe man
with gray chin beard. Yes, he was a
CHEEKY old soul, popular with the crowd,
power In local politics, well qualified on the
outside of him for paradise, and in the in
nards Of him for the other place. l COW
cred him with my gun and wondered where
he would go to when he died. I expect he
would be craving then for some Of that
lager beer he slipped so peaceful and for
the palm-leaf fan which he used TO brush
off the heat
sitting on the sidewalk in front of the
"Sepulchre." Little Crook was feeding
brandy TO him and cigarettes to keep him
away from sleep. Then the train came
rumbling in, let out screech and stopped.
1t made me laugh to think what a big
hurroar there would be presently when the
news got wind Of that train being held up
by robbers and Mr. Michael Ryan led away
captive.
Yet there seemed to be no excitement
The usual buses and buggies came up from
the station, the ordinary crowd OF loafeTs
and then our only cab, which crawled to
the "Mortuary" to drop one passenger. He
was a fat young man. dressed most sur
prising in a stove-pipe hat. a Jew fur coat,
gloves and q smart valise. If any OF our
cowboys had happened around, they would
have fired a shot for luck to see If he
wasn't some new kind OF bird, but old Ryan
came down the steps with roar of vel
come.
Michael He shouted, where's your
palace car? Have you sunk so low as to
come in mere cab2 Oh, Mixer
I could hear Mr.. Michael explaining that
something was wrong with the car, so he'd
had to leave her at LordSburg for repairs.
OF course the robbers, not seeing the pri-
vate car. had concluded that their prey had
failed TO arrive and the train was not worth
Now Michael had arrived, and after a
talk and q drink with his father,
these two would stroll over to finish the
family vengeance on poor Balshannon.
AS far as we had missed getting help from
the range wolves, 50 matters were getting
mighty serious.
slipped away to my men.
Boys" says I, I'VE got to play at robbers
tonight, I reckon, but 1 don't want you-all
to get recognized. We may be buctlng up
against the law, and get ourselves dishked
IL we amt cautions" So took a big black
When the shooting begins" says l. Just
You tie these round your heads TO hide
yo' homely faces. Now get yo' horses and
come swift"
1 posted the three IN the small alley which
ran between the ''Sepulchre'' saloon and
the post Office beyond 1t. Then I went out
TO guard Balshannon. Being naturally a
timid and cautious man, ] had a brace OF
revolvers belted on ready for trouble.
Meanwhile young Crook In the front OF the
house was sitting all doubled up with grief
OF the sight OF Michael Ryan.
Boys" says Jim, whats the matter2"
"Nothin'."
"How Is II, young un, that you know all
about my fathers affairs and miner
II eXpaict." says that one-eyed cripple
that working my job at the livery I'd
oughter know what comes and goes around
heah."
rs that why you're thereto watch?'
Crook went white at that. You're dream
ing" says he. very faint.
And you're lending me the buckskin run
ming mare for tonight. I've heard of that
mare. Is that the sort of thing to lend to
q stranger7"
well, sch, even hired man may have
his private feelings"
Look here, youngster. I've seen you be-
fore, and 1 remember you now. When ]
saw you once at Holy Cross you had tyo
eyes in your head, and you weren't a Grip
pie"
Suddenly Jim snatched away the black
pad which was slung over Crooks disabled
eye. Two good eyes shone out, and over
one OF them the scar OF an old wound. jim
laughed at that. but Crook forgot to be