The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-04-12

you want these cattle, come and get
them. Don't keep US waiting.''
| Howell looked in the faces of his
! men and saw that while they were
! brave men who would not hesitate at
fair odds, they would not deliberately
throw away their lives. He could net
| blame them. The odds were insur-
| mountable. Still. he was unwilling to
turn back without accomplishing his
mission.
He thought for moment, then
turned to his comrades and said:
Boys, I'm going after these cattle,
and I want you to be resdy to fight off
| the rustlers when l bring them back.
Get off your horses ard act as if 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
MS action. for they allowed him to ad-
vance unmolested to the foot Of the
| bluff. Here lie had gained the farther
side of the herd. He WAS also screened
from the outlaws by the brow OF the
hi!l
Looking back, lie 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,
hot r1,n
Suddenly Howell wheeled his horse
to the right, dashed along the base of
the bluff. and tearing his yellow
''slicker" from his saddlebow. he flaunt-
ell it with one hand, while with the
other he discharged volley of shots.
And he yelled as only cow-man can
yell.
Now there is nothing that will
frignten a Western range steer worse
than a waving slicker, and as Howell
expected. pandemonium broke loose at
once. With wild snorts and great
c!ashing of horns the herd rushed
away.
Tie guards, dashinS up. only in
creased the stampede. and directed it
upon Howe!ls 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 yell
Of rage. And the solitary horseman,
salloping in the wake Of the fleeing
herd, became the target of vicious
volley.
One bullet carried eway his hat; an
other paralyzed an arm. While third
killed the horse under Linn. Down be
went with a great crash!
70 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 Kim was
torn with the leaden hail. More terri
bic still, lie saw through the dust cloud
that his comrades, supposinS that he
was coming safely on. were hurryins
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 a horses hcofs. Look
ing Up, ne 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, thai he still lived! One more
bullet had entered the body of poor Old
Tom. TEen the mon, a mere boy,
swung himself from the saddle.
Lie still until We get away ne
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" AID 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 stard-
ing about. looking on with deep con-
Germ and sincere contrition.
"Oh. he's coming out Of it now,
boys" the big man said, with c ringing
note of gladness in his voice. Then
addressing himself to Allan, he con-
tinued, I'VE didn't see you go down,
and thought you We're 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 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.-Youth's Companion.
The Ideal in Everyday Life.