Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-03-26
God! The girl" he cried aloud.
What did you say, boss?" asked
Jim, pounding alongside.

Notnlng! said Langford, curtly'
He spurred his mare savagely. In
the shock OF surprise, and the sting
that his neglected word brought him,
he had forgotten the girl--Williston
little girl" with the grave eyes-the
girl who was not 10 but 20 and more
the girl who had waited for him,
whom he had sent on her long way
alone, Joyously, as one free of duty
that promised to be irksome-the girl
who had brought the blood to his face
when, ashamed, he had galloped OF
TO the spring girl who had closed
her door when mans curious eyes
had rovcd that way. How could he
forget?
The little cavalcade swept on with
increased speed, following the lead
Of the master Soon the sound of
shooting was borne to them distinctly
through the quiet night.
? Thank God, boys!" cried Langford,
digging in his spurs once more. They
are not surprised. Listen God!
What a plucky fight, If they can only
hold QUIT"
/ At that moment a tiny tongue Of
flame leaped up away to the front
of them, cleaning in the darkness like
a beacon light. Now there were two
they grew. spread, leaped heaven
ward in mad revel. Langford's heart
sank like lead. He Eroaned in an OK
ceeding bitterness Of spirit. The
worst had happened. Would they be
in time? These claim shanties burn
Ike paper. And the girl. He doubted
not that she had sustained her share
Of the good fight. she had fougN
like man, she must lie like man
would be the outlaw reasoning. He
believed she would die like man
If that meant bravely but something
clutched at his heart-strings with the
thought. Her big, solemn eyes came
back to him now as they had looked
when she had lifted them to him
gravely as he sat his horse and she
had said she had waited for him. Was
she waiting now
Tho boys rallied to the new i'm
pet"s gloriously. They knew now
thrilled to the excitement Of it, and
the danger. They swept from the main
trail into the DINNER one leading to
Williston's, without d'mnution Of
spet '. Presently, the boss drew rein
with suddenness that would have
played havoc with the equilibrium OF
less seasoned horsemen than cowboys.
he, fol = ct nj
accord of trained cayalrymen. Now
and then could be seen black, SIMS
ter figure patroling the burning home
stead, but hugging closely the outer
skirt Of darkness, waiting for the
doomed door to open
Boys" began Largford. But he
never gave the intended command to
charge at once with Wild shouting and
shooting to frighten away the maraud-
ers and give warning to the besieged
that rescue was at hand For at that
mament the door oqened and Willis
ton and his daughter stepped out in
full view of raider and rescuer. Would
there be parley? A man. slouching in
his saddle, rode up into the circle of
lurid light. Was II Jesse Black? There
was something hauntingly familiar
about the droop Of the shoulders. That
was all; hardly enough to hang a
man.
Langford raised his rifle quickly.
His nerves were perfectly steady. His
sight was never truer. His bullet
went straight to the rifle arm Of the
outlaw; with a ringing shout he raj.
lied his comrades, spurred his pony
forward and the little party charged
the astounded raiders with a fury OF
shots that made each rustler stand
we'll to his own support. leaving the
Williston's, for the time being. free
from their attention.
The desperadoes were on the run.
They cared to take no risk of identi-
fication. 1t was not easy to determine
how many there wore There seemed
half-dozen or more but probably
four or five at the most would tell
their number.
The flames were sinking. Willis.
ton had disappeared. The boys scat
tered in wild pursuit. Wheeling his
horse. Langford was in time to see
a big, muscular fellow swing a girlish
form to the saddle in front of him.
Quick as fash he spurred forward,
lifted his heavy Colts revolver high
over his head and brought 1t down on
the fellows skull with force that
knocked him scnseless without time
for a sigh or moan. As his arms fell
fax and he toppled In his saddle,
Langford caught the girl and swung
her free Of entansement
Poor little girl, he breatehed over
her as her white face dropped with
unconscious pathos against his big
shoulder. Poor little grl-im sorry
Il didn't mean to-honest-Tm sor-
ry." He chafed her hands gently
And | don't know where your father
Is, either Are you hurt anywhere,
have you only tainted? God knows T.
don't wonder. 1t was hellish. Why
child, child, your arm, 1t is broken!
Oh. little girl, l didn't mean to--hon.
est-honest. I'm sorry"
Jim rode up painting, eyes blood
shot.
I'VE can't find him, boss They've
carried him off, dead or alive"
"!s 1t so, Jim? Are you sure? How
far did you follow"
I'VE must have followed the wrong
| lead, If any one was ridjn' dOuhla a