The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-02-05

ana nap MN. unlnk ne II run.
Then why are you a shirkin, eff
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 Id like to know
Johnson grinned approximately
Well, there's always the SUPPOSE
ton that he may 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 to know
or care what becomes o. me. There
amt no one to care but me, and
can't say I'm hurtin myself any
carin', You just wait TIL | screech,
will your"
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 l come back a dead
err said Jim. that women are s'per-
fiuous critters, but forgive her. She
can't help bein' a woman"
He gave his horse dig with his
knee and the animal bounded brislsly
forward.
jim. You fool boy! Come back"
cried Langford, plunging after him.
Johnson shrugged his shoulders and
wheeled his horse into clever conceal
mont on ono eide rf ho potb
Let the fool kids co., he advised,
dryly. I'm lookin' for Jess to run,
anyway"
The two men rode boldly up toward
the house. 1t seemed deserted. Weeds
We're growing around the door-stoop,
and crowding thickly up to the front
windows. A spiders silver web gleam-
ed from casing to panel of the warped
and weather-stained door. The win
dows We're blurred with the tricklings
of rain through seasons of dust. Ev-
erything appeared unkempt, forlorn,
desolate.
There was sound from the rear.
1t carried stealthy significance. A
man leaped from the protection of the
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
ready bridled horse and made bold
dash for the farther woodland not in
the direction where determined men
waited in ambush. What did it mean
AS his horse cleared the stable, he
turned and shot vindictive challenge
to meet his pursuers..
You won't take me alive-and dead,
l 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 rife
| 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 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. If this We're true,
| Baker and Johnson would take care
] of him there.
Black returned the fire vengefuly
| A bullet scraped his horses flank. His
hat was shot from his head. He turned
savagely in his saddle with yell of
| defiance.
You'll never take me alive!"
The fusillade was furious but the
trees and branches proved Blacks
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
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 a little.
You're the fool boy, jim" he said
IN go without gun if you won't give
me yours"
| H.