Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-11-07

horses.
 "That was too close for fun, Arc you all therew asked Armitage.
 "Still in 1t. but Chauvenets friend won't miss every time. There's mur- 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 at the roadside to get his bearings. The fog seemed at the point of breaking, and the mass about them shifted and drlfted 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'pe 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 It was now so clear and light that they could see the wood at either hand. though fifty yards ahead in every direction the fog still lay like barricade.
 T should value a change of rai- ment," observed Armitage. There was an advantage in armor-your duds might get rusty on damp excursion, but your shirt wouldn't stick to your hide"
 "Who cares? Those devils are pret- ty quiet. and the little sergeant is about due to bump into them again."
 They had come to a gradual turn in the road at 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 a re- volyer crack twice. as before. followed by answering shots and cries and the thump of hoofs.
 "Ohee! Oscar has struck them again Steady now! Watch your horsel' And Armitage raised his arm high above his head and fired twice as a 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, if we can crowd them in here now and back to the Port"
 There"
 Exclamations died on their lips at the instant. Ahead of them lay the fog. rising and breaking in soft folds, and behind 1t men yelled and several shots snapped spitefully on the heavy air. Then curious picture disclosed itself just at the edge of the vapor as though it were curtain through which actors in drama emerged upon a stage. Zmai and Chauvenet flashed into view suddenly, and close behind them Oscar, yelling like mad. He drove his horse between the two men, threw himself flat as Zmai fired at him and turned and waved his hat and laughed at them; then just before his horse reach ed Claiborne and Armitage he checked its speed abruptly. flung it about and l then charged back, still yelling, upon l the amazed foe. Hes crazy; he's gone clean out of his head" muttered Claiborne, re straining his horse with difficulty. What do you make of it7'
 Hes having fun with them. He's just rattling them to warm himself up, the little beggar. I didn't know it was in him."
 Back went Oscar toward the two horsemen he had passed less than & minute before. still yelling. and this time he discharged his revolver with seeming unconcern for the value of ammunition. and as he again dashed between them and back through the gray curtain Armitage gave the word. and he and Claiborne swept on at a gallop.
 Durand was out of sight. and Chau- genet turned and looked behind him ! uneasily; then he spoke sharply to Zmai. Oscars wild ride back and forth had demoralized the horses. which were snorting and plunging wildly. As Armitage and Claiborne advanced Chauvenet spoke again to Zmai and drew his own revolver.
 "Ot, for saber uowv' growled Clai- borne.
 1 But 1t was not moment for specula. ton or regret. Both sides were perfect ly silent as Claiborne. leading slightly. with Armitage pressing close at his left galloped toward the two men who faced them at the gray wall of mist. They bore to the left with a view of crowding the two horsemen of the road and into the preserve. and as they neared them they heard cries through the mist and rapid hoof beats, and Durand's horse leaped the ditch at the roadside just before it reached Chau- venet and Zmai. and ran away through the rough underbrush into the wood. Oscar close behind and silent now, | grimly intent on bis business.
 The revolvers of Zmai and Chauve- net cracked together, and they. too. turned their horses into the wood. and away they all went, leaving the road 1 clear.
 My horse got it that timer' shouted | Claiborne.
 1 "So did l." replied Armitage. 'But ! neVar yoIl mind old man we,ya 0ot