Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-11-04

SepinAiag 81 heFses. 9ae of the All,
mails turned and tried to bolt, and his
rider struggling to control him, added
to the confusion. The fog shut them
in with each other, and Armitage and
Claiborne, having flung bach their own
horses at the onset, had an instant's
glimpse. of Ghauvenct trying to swing
his horse into the road, of Zmai half
turning as his horse reared to listen
for the foe behind and of Durand's i'm
passive white face as he steadicd his
horse with his left hand and levcled
revolver at Armitage with his right
With a cry Claiborne put spurs to his
horse and drove him forward upon Du-
rand. His hand knocked the leveled
revolver flying into the fog. Then
Zmai fired twice, and Chauvenet's
frightened horse, panic stricken at the
shots, reared, swung round and 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 1t, but Chauvenet's friend
won't miss every time. There's MUIR
der in his eye. The big fellow seemed
to be trying to shoot his own horse"
"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 ut the roadside to get his
bearings. The fog seemed Mt 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 aheat
served Claiborne. ..rhe fog mufflc
sounds. The roads pretty level ii
here"
I'VE must let them out of 1t and int
my territory for safety. We're within
a mile of the gate, and we ought to b
able to crowd them into that long ope
strip where the fences are down. Han
the fog"
| The agreed signal of two shot
reached them again, but clearer, lik
drum taps. and was Immediately al
swered by scattering shots. A momer
later, MS the two riders moved forwar
at walk, sharp volley rang OF
quite clearly, and they heard Aiots an
the crack of revolvers again.
by George. they're coming! Hel
we go"
They put their horses to the gallo
. and rode swiftly through the fog TT
beat of hoofs was now perfectly aud
; BILE ahead Of them, and they hear
. quite distinctly single revolver sna
twice.
oscar has them on the run. Bull
| for Oscar! They're getting clos
. Thank the Lord for this level strctc
Now howl and let 'er go!"
They went forward, with a yell tn
, broke weirdly and chokingly on Il
gray cloak Of fog, their horses hoo
. pounding duly on the earthen roa
The rain had almost ceased. but enoue
had fallen to soften the ground.
!, They're terribly brave or horrib
scared, from their speed" shout,
> claiborne. Now for It'll"
. They rose in their stirrups al
! charged. yelling Justify, riding ne
!, and neck toward the. unseen foe, al
with their horses at their highest pat
! they broke upon the mounted trio til
now rode upon them grayly out Of Il
, mist.
: There was mad snorting al