The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-07-16

Then why are you shirkin', ef
this is the worst spot O. all? You amt
no coward. boss. leastways you never
was. Why don't you stay by it? That's
what I'd like to know"
Johnson grinned appreciatively.
well, there's always the SUPPOSE
ride into his clearing" admitted Lang
ford. "Of course. then-it's too late"
Jim blocked the way.
I'm an ornery. no-'count cowboy
with no one in this hull world to know
or care what becomes o. me. There
amt no one to care but me. and I
can't say I'm hurtin' myself any o
carin'! You just wait till screech,
will you?"
"Jim." said Langford. huskily. you
go back and behave yourself. I'm the
boss-not you. You've got to obey or
ders. You've sassed me long enough.
You get back, now!"
Tell Mary, eff come back dead
err" said Jim, that women are s'per-
fluous critters, but forgive her. She
can't help bein' woman"
He gave his horse a dig with his
knee and the animal bounded briskly
forward.
Jim! You fool boy! Come back!"
cried Langford, plunging after him.
Johnson shrugged his shoulders and
wheeled his horse into clever conceal.
ment on one side of the path.
Let the fool kids CO." he advised
dryly. I'm lookin' for Jess to RUIZ.
anyway"
The two men rode boldly up toward
the house. 1t seemed deserted. Weeds
were growing around the door-stoop.
and crowding thickly up to the front
windows. A spiders silver web CLEAN.
ed from casing to panel Of the warped
and weather-stained door. The win.
dows were blurred with the tricklings
| of rain through seasons Of dust Ev.
erything appeared unkempt, forlorn,
desolate.
There was a sound from the rear.
1t carried a stealthy significance. A
man leaped from the protection of the
cabin and was seen running toward
the barn. He was heavily armed.
"Stop that, Black!" yelled Langford,
authoritatively. I'VE are going to take
you, dead or alive-you'd better give
yourself up! 1t will be better for you. :"
The man answered nothing.
wing him with you rife, Jim, be-
fore he gets to the barn." said Paul
quickly.
The shot went wild. Black wrench.
ed the door open, sprang upon the al
hrfI nd hOy
dash for the farther woodland not in
the direction where determined men
waited in ambush. What did it moan.
AS his horse cleared the stable, his
turned and shot vindictive challenge
| to meet his pursuers.
you won't take me alive-and dead.
1 won't go alone!"
He plunged forward in northerly
direction. Dimly he could be seen
through the underbrush; but plainly
| could be heard the cracking OF
branches and the swapping OF twigs as
his horse whipped. through the low.
lying foliage. Was there, then. an
other way to the mainland-other than
| the one over which Johnson and Baker
Kept guard? How could it be? How
Langford longed for his good rifle
and its carrying power. But he
knew how to use a pistol, too. Both
men sent menacing shots after the
fugitive. Langford could not account
for the strange direction. The only
solution was that Black was leading
his pursuers a chase through the
woods, hoping to decoy them SO deeply
into the interior that he might, turning
suddenly and straightly, gain time for
his desperate sprint across the expos.
ed stretch of sand. II this were true,
Baker and Johnson would take care
OF him there.
Black returned the fire vengefully.
A bullet scraped his horses flank. His
hat was shot from his head. He turned
savagely in his saddle with a yell OF
defiance.
You'll never take me alive!"
The fusillade was furious, but the
trees and branches proved Blacks
ones aim Alright. His horse staggered.
Another bullet sang and purred
through the foliage, and the horse fell.
my God, JIM" cried Langford.
| my cartridges are out! Give me your
gum"
For answer, Jim sent another bullet
whistling forward. Black, rising from
his fallen horse, fell back.
II got him!" yelled Jim, exultantly.
He spurred forward.
Careful, Jim!" warned Langford.
HE may be playing 'possum,' you
know"
you stay where you are" cried Jim.
You amt got no gun. Stay back, you
fool boss!"
Langford laughed little.
You're the fool boy. Jim," he said.
I'LL go without gun If you won't give