The Irish standard., 1908-03-07

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 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 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. If 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
Z. friends. 1t was impossible to judge
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
gun!"
= 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 little.
you're the fool boy, Jim," he said.
''I'll go without gun if you won't give
me yours"
They rode cautiously up to the pros.
trate figure. It 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.
sa Hes done for" said Jim. in low
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
30 low was the body of a real man.
What ever his crimes, he had been a
me type of physical manhood. He
had never cringed. He had died like
a man, fighting to the last.
Jim slowly and thoughtfully slipped
his revolver into it's holster and dis
mounted. Langford, too. sprang light
1y 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 into its leathern case than he
leaped to his feet and stretched out
the crumpled arm with its deadly
weapon pointing straight at the heart
of Langford of the Three Bars.
Nov, damn you, we're quits!" he
cried, hoarsely.
There was not time for Jim to draw,
but, agile as cat, he threw himself
against Blacks arm and the bullet
went wild. For moment the advant-
age was his, and he wrested the
weapon from Blacks hand. It fell to
the ground. The two men grappled.
The struggle was short and fierce.
Each strove with all the strength Of
his concentrated hate to keep the
others hand from his belt.
When the feet of the wrestlers left
the fallen weapon free, Langford, who
had been waiting for this opportunity,
sprang forward and seized it with a
thrill of satisfaction. Command of the
situation was once more his. But the
revolver was empty, and he turned to
throw himself into the struggle empty
handed. Jim would thus be given a
chance to draw.
At that moment Black twisted his
arm free and his hand dropped like q
flash to his belt, where there was a
revolver that was loaded. Jim Rugged
him closely, but it was of no use. The
bullet tore its cruel way through his
side. His arms relaxed their hold-he
slipped-slowly-dow Black
shook himself from of him impatiently
and wheeled to meet his great enemy.
Quits at last!" he said, with an
ugly smile.
Quits indeed! For Jim, raising him
self slightly, was able to draw at last;
and even as he spoke, the outlaw fell
"Jim, my boy" said Langford, huski-
1y. He was kneeling, Jims head in his
arms.
"Well. boss" said Jim, trying to
smile. His eyes were clear.
1T was my affair, Jim. you ought
not to have done it," said Langford,
brokenly.
Its all right-boss-don't you wor-
ry-I saw you-in the hall that night.
You are-the boss. Tell Mary so. Tell
her l was-glad-tO $3.50 Won could