Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-21


low and whinn'ed softly.
Hello there" cried Paul. spring
ing excitedly 70 his feet. "whered yoG
come FROM Thought you had crossed
the bar. Now I'll just borrow a gun
from one OF You fellows AID Wen be
getting along Peter my rife than my
horse at this stage OF the game. any
way
The little party pushed on. The
longer half OF their journey was stilt
before them. On the whole. PERHAPS
II was better the crowd had split
There was more unity OF purpose
among those who were left The sun
was getting hot. and Langford's
clothes dried rapidly
Arrived at the entrance of the cross
ravine which Williston had once
sought out. the four men rode their
horses safely through its length. The
waters OF the June rise had recedei
and the outlaws presumably deserted
holding was once more a peninsula
The wooded section in the near dis
lance lay green. cool and Innocent
looking IN the late summer sun. The
sands between stretched ont hot IN the,
white glare. From the gulch covert.
the wiry marshal rode first. His face
bore its wonted expression OF good
humored alertness. but there was an
inscrutable CLINT IN his eyes that
might have found place there because
of sure realization OF the hazard Of
the situation and of bis accepting it.
Langford followed him quickly. and
Munson and Baker were not far be
hind. They trotted breezily across the
open in a bunch. without words.
Where the indistinct trail to the house
slipped into the wooded enclosure they
paused. Was the desperate at last
really rounded up so that he must eth.
er submit quickly or turn at bay? IT.
was SO still. Spots OF sunlight had
filtered through the foliage and hecked
the pathway. Insects fitted about.
Bundle bees droned Butterflies how
cred over the snowon-the mountaia. A
turtle dove m0urned. snake glided
sinuously through the grass Peering
down the warm. shaded interior. one
might almost imagine one was in the
heart Of an ancient wood The drowsy
suggestions OF solitude crept in upon
the sensibilities Of all the men and
/ filled them with vague doubts. IL
this was the haunt of man. a care
less, sordid man. would this place
which knew him breathe forth so
sweet. still and undisturbed a peaceg
Langford first shook himself free OF
the haunting fear OF a deserted hearth
stone.
I'D stake my all on my belief that
he's there" he said. in a low voice
Now listen. boys. Johnson and I viii
ride 20 the house and make The arrest.
providing he doesn't give us the slip
Baker. you and Jim will remain here in
ambush In case he does. He's bound
10 come this way TO reach the main
land. Ready. Johnson"
Jim interposod. His face was hinty
with PURPOSE.
Not or the court knows herself. and
think she do. Me and Johnson Will
do that there little arrestin' Job and
the boss he'll stay here In the ambush.
Ef anybodys a countin' en- my totin'
the boss's opcnw0rk body back 20
Mary Winiston. it's high time he was
losin' the count. for / aln't goin' to
do t."
He guided his horse straight into
the path.
But jim" eXpostulated Langford.
laying n OBTAINING hand on the cow
boys shoulder "as for danger. there's
every bit as much-and more-here.
| Do you think Jesse Black will tamely
sit down and wait for US 20 come up
and nab him? ] think he'll run"
Then why are you a shirkin'. ef
this Is the worst spot o. all? You amt
no coward. boss. lsastways you never
was. Why don't you stay by Il? That's
what I'd like to know"
Johnson grinned appreciatively.
Well. there's always the SUPPOSE
ton that he Lay not see us until We
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 70 know
or care what becomes o. me. There
amt no one 90 care but me. and
cant say I'm hurtin' myself any 8
carin'! You Just wait TIL l 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, nowi"
Tell Mary, ef come back a dead
er," said Jim. that women are sper-
fuous critters. but l 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 go" he advised.
dryly. I'm lOokin' for Jess TO run,
anyway"
The two men rode boldly up toward
the house. II seemed deserted. Weeds
We're growing around the door-stoop.
and crowding thickIy up TO the front
windows. A spiders silver web gleam-