Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1908-11-12

later. as the two riders moved forward
at walk, sharp volIey rang oui
quite clearly, and they heard shots ana
the crack of revolyers again
BY George. they're coming! Here
we gol"
They put their horses to the gallon
and rode swiftly through the fog The
beat of hoofs was now perfectly audi
BILE ahead of them. and they heard
quite distinctly a single revolver snar
twice
oscar has them on the run Bulls
for Oscar! They're getting CLOSE
Thank the Lord for this level stretch
Now howl and let err go,"
They went forward. with d yell that
broke weirdly and chol.ingly on tll
gray cloak of fog. their horses hoofs
pounding duly on the earsllen road
The rain had almost ceased. but enough
had fallen to soften the ground
They re terribly brave or horribly
scared from their sneedy shoute
Claiborne Now for it,
They rose in their stiruns en-
charged. yelling Justify. riding meet
and neck toward the Unseen foe. ans9
with their horses at their highest pace
they broke upon the mounted trio th
now rode upon them grayly ont of Il.
mist
There was mad snoring 81
shrinking of horses. One Of the ami
mails turned and tried 70 bolt. and his
rider. struggling to control hin. added
to the confusion. The FOG saut them
in with each other, aaG ArmIsaSe and
Claiborne, having fur- back their own
horses at the onset. had an instant's
glimpse Of Chauvenet trying to swing
his horse into the road. Of Lmai half
turning as his horse reared to listen
for the foe behind aad Of Durand's i'm
passive white face as be steadied his
horse with his left hand and leyeled a
revolver at Arunitage with his right.
With a cry Claiborne put spurs TO his
horse and drove him forward upon Du-
rand His hand Knocked the ieveled
revolver flying into the fog. Then
Zmai fred twice. and Chauvenet's
frightened horse. panic stricken at the
shots. reared. swung round ard dashed
back the way he had come. and Du-
rand and Zmai followed.
The three disappeared into the mist.
and Armitage and Claiborne shook
themselves together and quieted their
horses.
THAT was too close for fun. Are
you all there| asked Armitage.
Still in it. but Chaugenets friend
won't miss every time There's MUIR
der in his eye The big fellow seemed
to be trying to shoot his own hose 2
"Oh. he's knife and sack man and
clumsy with the gun"
They moved slowly forward now,
and Armitage sent his horse across the
rough ditch at the roadside to get his
bearings. The fog seemed at the point
of breaking, and the mass about them
shifted and drifted in the growing
light.
This is my land, sure enough. Lord.
man, | wish you'd get out OF this and
go home You see, they're an ugly lot
and don't use toy pistols"
Remember the potato sack. That's
my watchword." laughed Claiborne.
They rode with their eyes straight
ahead, peering through the breaking
floating mist 1t was now SO clear and
light that they could see the wood al
either hand. though fifty yards ahead
in every direction the fog still lay like
a barricade.
81 should value a change of raj
ment." observed Armitage. There
was an advantage in armor-your buds
might get rusty on damp excursion.
but your shirt wouldn't stick to your
hide"
who cares? Those devils are pref
ty quiet. and the little sergeant is
about due to bump into them again.
They had come to gradual turn in
the road ut a point where a steep wood
ed incline swept up on the left. On
the right lay the old hunting preserve
and Armitage's bungalow. AS they
drew into the curve they heard re
yolver crack twice, as before. followed
by answering shots and cries and the
thump of hoofs.
"Ohee! Oscar has struck them again
Steady nowl Watch your horsey' And
Armitage raised his arm high above
his head and fred twice as q warning
to Oscar
The distance between the contending
parties was shorter now than at the
first meeting. and Armitage and Clai-
borne bent forward in their saddles,
talking softly to their horses. that
had danced wildly at Armitage,s shots
Lord, il we can crowd them In here
now and back to the Portv'
'STherer'
Explanations died on their lips at the
instant. Ahead Of them lay the fog
rising and breaking In soft folds. and
behind it men yelled and several shots
snapped spitefuliy on the heavy air
Then curious picture disclosed itself