The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1908-05-15

might make It. He had never known
White river to run so sullenly and
strongly; It would be almost impos-
sible for man to breast it. And there
was Mary-he could never 60 back to
her and claim her for his own until he
| could bring Black back, too, to suffer
for her fathers wrongs.
At that moment, SADIE gave q little
convulsive shudder and the water
rolled over her head Langford slip
ped from the saddle, but in the instant
of contact with the pushing current,
his rifle was jerked violently from his
hand and sank out of sight, With no
time for vain regrets, he struck out
for the shore. The struggle was tre-
mendous. He was buffeted and beat
en-, and borne farther down the
| stream. More than once in the en-
deavor to strike too squarely across,
his head went under; but he was a
strong swimmer, and soon scrambling
up the bank some distance below the
! ford, he turned and sent a resonant
hail to his" comrades. They responded
Justify. He had been the only one I'm.
horsed. He threw himself face down.
ward to cough up some of the water
he had been compelled to swallow,
and Munson, running up, began slap
! ping him vigorously upon the back.
He desisted only to run swiftly along
the bank.
"Good for you," Jim cried approving
ly, assisting Langford's spent horse
up the bank Coming up to the party
where Langford still stretched out full
length, SADIE rubbed her nose inquir-
ingly over the big shoulders lying so
low, and whinnied softly.
Hello there!" cried Paul, spring
ing excitedly to his feet 'Where'd you
come from? Thought you had crossed
the bar. Now I'll just borrow a gun
from one Of you fellows and we'll be
getting along. Better my rifle than my
horse at this stage of the game, any
way"
The little party pushed on. The
longer half of their journey was still
before them. On the whole, perhaps,
it 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 receded
and the outlaws presumably deserted
The wooded section in the near dis
lance lay green, cool and innocent
looking in the late summer sun. The
sands between stretched out hot in the
white glare. From the gulch covert,
the wiry marshal rode first. His face
bore it's 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 his accepting it..
Langford followed him quickly and
| Munson and Baker were not far be-
hind. They trotted breezily across the
open in 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? 1t
was so still. Spots Of sunlight had
through the foliage, and the horse fell
my God, JIM" cried Langford
my cartridges are out! Give me your
gum"
l. For answer, Jim sent another bullet
whistling forward. Black, rising from
his fallen horse, fell back
II 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.
I'll go without a gun if you won't give
me yours
They rode cautiously up to the pros
trate figure. 1t 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 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
so low was the body of a real man.
What ever his crimes, he had been a
fine type of physical manhood. He
had never cringed. He had died like
man, fighting to the last.
Jim slowly and thoughtfnllv slinned