Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-04-09

Cd from cnHinx 70 paaoA VI ~ "efho~
and eather-stained door. The win
dovs were blurred With the tneklinp
Of rain through seasons Of dust Nv
erythins appeared unksmpt forlorn'
desolatc.
There was q sound from the rear
II carried q stsAlthy sisninosacs- A
man ieapsd from the protection OF the
cabin and was seem running toward
the barn. He was heavily armed.
stop that. Black yelled Lansfcrd'
authoritatively. I'VE are going to take
you. dead or aiive-you'd better give
yourself up! II will b better for you"
Tho man answered nothing.
wing him with you rife. Jim. DO
fore hs gets 70 the barn." said Pau
quickly.
The shot went Wild. Black wrench
Cd the door open. sprang upon tho al
ready bridled horse and made Q bold
dash for the farther woodland not In
the direction where determined men
waited In ambush. What did II mean.
Az his horse cleared the stable. he
turned and shot vindicuve challenge
to meet his pursuers.
you won't take ms alive-and dead
won't 30 alone!"
He plunged forward In . northerly
direction. Dimly he could DO seen
through the undsrbrush: but plainly
could be heard the cracking OF
branches and the mapping Of twigs 40
his horse whipped through the low
lying foliage. Was there. then. an
other way to the mainiand-other than
the one over which johnson and Baker
kept guard! How could Il be? How
Lanxford ionged for his good rtfie
and it, carrying power. But he
knew how to use . pistol. too. Both
men sent msnacing shots after the
fugitive. LAngford could not account
for the strange direction The only
solution was that Black was leading
his pursuers Q chase through the
woods, hoping to deooy them 20 deeply
into the interior that no might. turning
suddenly and straishtly. gain time for
his desperate sprint across the expos
cd stretch OF sand. II this were true.
Baker and johnson would take care
Of him there.
Black returned the IRE vengefully.
A bullet soraped his horses hank. His
hat was shot from his head. He turned
savagsly In his saddle with yell Of
defiance.
you'll never take mo alive!-
The fusillade was furious. but the
trees and branches proved Blacks
friends. Il was impossible 70 Judge
ones aim Alright. His horse staggered.
Another bullet sang and purrss
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.
Il 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 Q little.
You're the fool boy, Jim." he said.
'I1l 90 without . gun II you won't give
me yours"
They rode cautiously up to the pros
trate figure. II was lying face down
ward, one arm outstretched on the
body Of the dead horse. the other
crumpled under the mans breast.
Blood oozed from under his shoulder.
Hes done for" said Jim. In q loN
voice. In the presence Of death all
hatred had gone from him. The man.
apparently had paid all he could OF his
debts on earth. The body lying there
20 low was the body Of q real man.
What ever his crimes. he had been q
fine type Of physical manhood. He
had never cringed. He had died like
q man. lighting to the last.
Jim slowly and thoughtfully slipped
his revolver into It's holster and dis.
mounted. Langford. too. sprang light
~ from his saddle.
Black had been waiting for this. His
trained ear had no sooner caught the
soft rubbing sound Of the pistol slip
ping ihto tn leathsrn case than he
isaped 10 his feet and stretched out
the crumpled arm With it. deadly
weapon pointing Straight At the heart
Of Langford o. the Three Bsrs.< -
Nov. damn yea. we're lquitslv he
cried. hOafseiy. e.S-
There. was not time for Jim 70 draw.
but, agile ~ . eat. he threw himself
against Blacks arm and the bullet
went Wild. For . moment the advant.
age was his. and he wrssted' the
weapon from Blacks hand. II fen to
the ground. The two men grappled.
The struggle was short and fierce.
Each strove with an the strength Of
his concentrated hate 20 Keep the !
others hand fFom his,belt.
wAan II fSst q - ur,liisu lsft