The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1907-12-23
Swift Vengeance.
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fOrGinal !

and were in possession or the saloon
from which came Il chorus OF ycIis.
was sitting on the veraBda OF the
tavern when saw yoaug Mexican
man and woman 20 by. The man was
good looking. and tie girl was Ueau
~. Though | could net understand
the Spanish lingo they talked. il was
plain they were lovers. They separat
cd almost in front Of the tavern. not
/ scrupling to embrace at parting nor
caring that any one saw them in each
others arms, apparently oblivious to
all except themselves.
Ten minutes later the young man
was passing the saloon when seyera
of the Drawers came out roaring
drunk. brandishing revOlvers.
/ You say you can beat me shootin':"
! yelled one to another. I'll show you
what can do" And, aiming at the
young Mexican, be fired. The boy
sank down on the ground with moan.
I | heard a shrek and. looking toward
q house the girl had entered. saw her
! staggering toward her lover. But she
made only few steps when she sank
down in q swoon. Her mother came
Several people put their heads out Of
their doors and windows and. seeing
the young man lying on the ground.
gathered round him and carried him
into the nearest dwelling where he
died in few minutes.
1t was the shock of my life. /
burned to see swift retribution meeted
out to the murderer, but there were
only a few peaceable Mexicans in the
town. and knew il was impossible. |
would gladly have left the place at
once, but there was no conveyance ex-
cept my horse, and | did not care to
risk journey at night alone.
l sat during the evening on the tav
ern veranda. eEdeavoring to quiet my
Indignation with tobacco. There was a
half moon in the sky. The air was
balmy, and perfect quiet reigned. The
people of the town were all indoors.
The desperadoes had drunk so hard that
they were all doubtless in a stupor. At
any rate they made no noise. and
they were still in the saloon. | knew
| would not sleep if | went to bed, Sc
continued to sit where l was, lighting
one cigar from another. 1t midnight
l was still there The moon was blood
rec. just above the horizon and gave
no light. There was daring lamp o.
4 post in front Of the saloon, which
partly iiIumiued the street.
It vas near morning when the mer
came ont of the saloon. Il few at {
time. and staggered past the tavern tt
stable below. where they had pu
their horses. Presently one went b!
alone, whom. though the light was dim
| recognized as the murderer. He haC
scarcely passed the tavern when saw
fgure-I could not tell if ii was mar
or womaH-emerge from behind ;
house opposite and scud along behnC
him. keeping so far as possible i:
shadow.
Curiosity got the better Of me. and
followed the man and his shadOwer
The fo.IEer-I did not see the latter
was drawing near the stable, when
heard a soft voice call:
"Signor."
The man paused and turned. Wha
light there was shone directly on hi
face. | can see that face now, bruta
bloated. with a background of Ion
tousled hair and n beard falling beloy
hes broad brimmed felt hat. He wor
q shabby coat over a dark blue woole
shirt. His trousers were tucked in hi
boots.
Then | caught a glimpse of anothe
figure whom | deemed to be the shaC
over The back was toward me. an
by the silhouette I knew that it wa
woman. | could hear her talking I
the man. part in Spanish. part in En-:
liSh. but was not near enough to hea
what she said
Two more men came out or II
saloon. and the man and the woma
l watched moved into shadow. tt
men went on past the place where Ii
couple had been standing and entere
the stable. By this time the gang b
gan TO lead their horses out and wei
making preparations TO mount. SON
tightening their saddle girths. SON
saddles. while others went back to Il
saloon for last drink. Ealf an hOl
went by before they We're all mounte
and ready TO depart. Then / heard oil
OF them ask:
"All here:"
4 few minutes later a voice sal
"Sam is missing"
"Oh. l saw him go off with a gal
said 4 voice.
We'll. reckon he'll come when
, gifts ready"
Then they all rode away.
1 waited till the clatter of the
horses hoofs had died away in Il
: distance. then strolled along. takiI
care to keep in shadow. toward Il
place where the murderer and the "
, man had disappeared. l listened. b
could hear nothing. | waited. still i
. tening and peering into the darknes
All was still entered q lane throu:
which / thought the couple had pro
ably gone. There was nothing but Z
stars 10 light the way. and. passing
dark point, | stumbled against SON