Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-21
SATURDAY. e. MARCH Fl, 1908.


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 guard2 How could II be? How
Langford longed for his good rife
and its carrying power But he
knew how To use a 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 strsishtly. 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 10 his saddle with a yell Of
defiance.
You'll never take me allve!"
The fusillade was furious but the
trees and branches proved Blacks
friends. IL was impossible to Judge
ones aim Alright. His horse staggered.
Another bullet sang and purred
through the foliage. and the horse fell.
My God. Jimi" cried Langford.
My cartridges are out, Give me your
guni"
For answer. Jim sent another bullet
whistling forward Black. rising from
his fallen horse. fell back.
Il got HIM" yelled Jim. exultantIy.
He spurred forward.
Careful. J'mi" 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 gun II you won't give
me yours"
They rode cautiously up TO the pros
trate figure. IL 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
He's done for" said Jim, In a 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
line type OF physical manhood. He
had never crinsed. He bad died like
a man, fighting TO the last.
Jim slowly and thoughtfully slipped
his revolver into its holster and dis
mounted. Landlord. too, sprang light
ly 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 10 his feet and stretched out
the crumpled arm with its deadly
weapon pointing straight at the heart
of Lsngford OF the Three Bars
Now. damn you. were quits!" he
cried. hoarsely.
There was not time for Jim to draw,
but. agile as a cat. he threw himself
against Blacks arm and the bullet
went wild: For moment the adyant-
age was his. and be wrested the
weapon from Blacks hand II 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
81 when the feet OF the wresters left
the fallen weapon free. Langford, who
mad been waiting for this opportunity.
spranS forward and seized il 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 a
nash 10 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 hoId-he
slpPed-slowly-do Black
shook himself from OF him impatiently
and wheeled 90 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.
dim. my boy" said Langford, huskI-
Ay. He was kneeling inns head I'm HE
arms.
Wen, boss. said Jim. trying to
smile. His eyes were clear.
1T was my afrair, Jim, you ought
not to have done It." said Langford.
orokenly.
IT'S ali right-boss-don't you wor-
!ry|I saw you-in the hall that night.
You are-the boss Tell Mary SO. Tell
he- i was-glsd-to $3.50 you could |
40 TO her-and IL yyOuld ha-au rfobt