The Forrest City times., 1908-12-11
Everything was In reao,ne..

! along the line betting ran high. Tn. l terest and excitement pervaded town. 1 camp and home; touched even women and children.
 The supply train backed, switched. loaded freight brought in the night be. fore; yet did not pull out for the Front as usual. but side-tracked and waited. The iron was coming! It was due at | noon.
 Hotel patrons had eaten and gone. Bill Bernard was out on an errand: and the house was deserted save for the cook and scullion, and the two women at their late breakfast. The sun had not yet thawed the frost of the night when a shot rang out from Sally B.'s barroem.
 She caught her pistol from some ing after her.
 Go back. child!" Sally B. said stern. ly, from the doorway.
 Not unless you go." Esther re- turned in a voice as firm.
 "Foller still. then" the other whis- pered, seeing opposition useless; and they entered the barroom noiselessly.
 A man with beetling brows and i fierce, resentful eyes stood with his back to them, holding a big revolver somewhat unsteadily over Shack New begin, whose hands were high in air The intruder's clothes were soiled, his boots dusty and cut from much walk ing over rock. Notwithstanding lis vicious. threatening attitude, his body 1 dropped as from intense fatigue
 He did not hear the women; and his savage. low-spoken command showed him dangerously sure of himself
 Give me ten dollars out of that l till. Do it quick. and keep still And don't try shooting next time when a man asks you for money; you might get your wooden overcoat sooner'n you'd like. Hurry up, there,"
 Drop that gun, pardner!" Sally B. said quietly.
 She had waited barely a breath on the threshold, yet Esther had smelled burned powder, seen Shack's pistol on the floor, his dishevelled hair and the bullet hole in the marauders hat Shack had had the first shot How had the other mastered the situation?
 The man wheeled, with blazing eyes. to meet Sally B.'s pistol barrel almost at his head. His own weapon. uncon. sciously lowered left him helpless though he made slight motion as if to lift it.
 Drop it. I say! Let go," Her re- volyer touched his temple. and her black eyes blazed a message that con- pelled obedience.
 He returned her look for an instant. lowered his eyes sullenly. glanced coyertly about, and. stopping, laid the pistol on the floor
 NOW, git inter that cheer"
 Again he looked at her resentfullr: but only for a breath. when he ben, stfftly, and dropped heavily down.
 Tie him, Shack, to the cheer; an his hands behind him. an his feet te gether. How'd he git the drop on ye! l see ye got the first shot"
 Yes. But reckoned he was only drunk, an wasn't lookin fur him to fight I only shot to skeer; but he jumped me like greased lightnin'.
 He looks holler; I low grub ain't ben plenty. Had anything to eat late =" she asked her prisoner.
 He shook his head sulkily.
 Il thought so. Watch him, Shack she ordered, and after the tying was done to her satisfaction, the two wom. en went out.
 They returned shortly, Sally E. with a generous breakfast; Esther. who re fused to let her come alone. carrying the coffee. They arranged the food on chair. and Sally B. took up her TO. yolyer again.
 "Untie his hands, Shack"
 You're the beatin est" Shack be- gan. obeying her order reluctantly, to go an feed a man that's tried to rob ye."
 No matter. Hes hungry. ] wouldn't turn a hungry dog off without bone. Get to work. now" she said sruftly 10 the bandit. An while yo're busy, tell what you wanted of ten dol lars. Why didn't ye ask fur the hull till23
 Because I wanted to be white an take o.ly enough to get out of the country with" Esther thought hls face softened a trife.
 Why dent ye work for it? The Boss wants choppers; an everybody's iyin' west like ole Nick was after em."
 That's my business. l want to leave the country, not chop wood' The sul. len look deepened.
 If yo're that particlar, you git that grub out O sight, an git earn my money workin'. an you can yourn." lie scowled at her; and no one saw the gleam in his wicked eye as be caught the fash from Esther's soli taire
 It was the only ornament of value she wore in this rude place. She had bought it for nrotactioD and if had |