Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1907-11-29
Swift Vengeance.
[Original.1

I was sitting on the veranda Of the
tavern when ! saw a young Mexican
man and woman go by. The man was
good looking, and the girl was a beau
ty. Though l could not understand
the Spanish lingo they talked, it was
plain they were lovers. They separat-
ed almost in front of the tayern. not
scrupling to embrace at parting o
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 several
Of the brawlers came out roaring
drunk, br%andishing r%evolvers.
! "You say you can beat me shooting"
yelled n to another. ''1ll show you
what I can do" And, aiming at the
young Mexican, he fired. The boy
sank down on the ground with a o a
l heard a Shrek and, looking toward
a house the girl had entered. saw her
staggering toward her lover. But she
made only a few steps when she sank
, down in a swoon. Her mother came
~ AN z ACl OACh ~ luC AOUSc.
Several people put their heads out Of
their doors and windows and. seeing
the young nan lying on the ground.
gathered round him and carried him
into the nearest dwelling, where he
died in a few minutes.
1t was the shock Of nv life. |
burned to see swift %retribution meeted
out to the mugderer, but there were
only a few %peaceable Mexicans in the
town, and I knew it was impossible. l
would gladly have left the place at
once, but there was no conveyance ex-
cept my horse, and | did not care to
risk a journey at night alone.
sat during the evening on the tav
ern veranda. ~endeavoring 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 We're all doubtless In a stupor. At
n rate. they made no noise. and
they were still in the saloon. I knew
l would not sleep If l went to bed, so
continued to sit where I was. lighting
one cigar from another. At midnight
l was still there. The moon was blood
red, just above the horizon and gave
no light. There a a faring lamp on
a post in front of the saloon, which
partly illumined the street.
1t was near morning when the men
came out Of the saloon, a few at q
time, and staggered past the tavern to
a stable below, where they had put
their horses. Presently one went by
alone. whom, though the light was dim,
l recognized as the murderer. He had
scarcely passed the tavern when l saw
a hgure-1 could not tell II It was man
OF woman-emerge from behind a
house opposite and scud along behind
him, keeping 80 Tar as possible in
shadow.
Curiosity got the better Of me, and I
followed the man and his shadower.
The former-I did not see the latter
was drawing near the stable, when I
heard q soft voice call:
"Signor!"
DAA poocSN AAA SuAkSO. w udl
light there was shone directly on his
face. I can see that face now, brutal,
bloated, with a background Of long
tousled hair and a beard falling below
his broad brtmmed felt hat. He wore
a shabby coat v er a dark blue wooden
shirt. Ills trousers were tucked in his
boots.
Then I caught q glimpse Of another
figure whom 1 deemed to be the shad-
over. The back was toward ME. and
by the silhouette l knew that it was
q woman. / could hear her talking to
the man, part in Spanish, part In Eng
Hsh. but was not near enough to hear
what she said.
Two more men came out of the
saloon, and the man and the woman
/ watched moved into shadow. The
Nen went Oh past the place WHARF the
couple had been standing and entered
the stable. By this time the gang be-
gan to lead their horses out and were
making preparations to mount, some
tightening their saddle girths. some
looking to articles strapped to their
saddles, while others went back to the
saloon for a last drink. Half an hour
svent by hefoso they we've al mounted
and ready to depart Then / heard one
/, Of them ask:
"All heref" ~,
A few minutes later a voice said
"Sam Is missing" -,
q "Oh. ! saw him go OFF with a gal.r
said a voice. <+ !.
We'll. l reckon he'll come when be
gifts ready" %@ IS
Then they all rode away. + ]
! waited till the clatter of their
horses' hoofs had died away in the
distance, then strolIed along, taking
fare to keep In shadow, toward the
I place where the murderer end the NO
man had disappeared. ! listened, but
could hear nothing. / waited, still iis-
sening and peering into the darkness.
IAn was still. i entered a lane through
1 which I thought the couple had prob
ably gone. There was nothing but the
stars to light the way. and. passing a
Aark pofnt, ~ stumbled against some.
thing lying on the ground. / turned
End, looking down at my stumbling