Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-12-17
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Death of Du Sang.

Whispering Smith, with his horse in
a lather, rode slowly back 20 minutes
later with Seagrue disarmed ahead Of
him. The deserted battle-ground was
alive with men. Stormy German, hot
for blood, had come back, captured
Karg, and begun swearing all over
again, and Smith listened with ami
able surprise while he explained that
seeing Dancing killed, and not being
able to tell from Whispering Smiths
peculiar tactics which side he was
shooting at, German and his compan-
ions had gone for help. While they
angrily surrounded Karg and Seagrue,
Smith slipped from his horse where
Bill Dancing lay, lifted the huge head
from the dust, and tried to turn the
giant over. A groan greeted the at
tempt.
BILL, open your eyes! Why would
you not do as l wanted you to-" he
murmured bitterly to himself. A Sec
ond groan answered him. Smith
called for water, and from a canteea
drenched the pallid forehead, talking
softly meanwhile; but his efforts to re-
store consciousness were unavailing
He turned to where two of the cow
boys had dragged KaYg to the ground
and three others had their old COM
panion Seagrue in hand. While two
held huge revolvers within six inches
Of his head, a third was adjusting a
rope-knot under his ear.
Whispering Smith became inter-
ested. Hold on!" said he, mildly,
what is loose? What are you going
to do?"
Were going to hang these fellows"
answered Stormy, with a volley Of
hair-raising imprecations.
! "0h, no! Just put them on horseI
under guard"
That's what we're going to do"
exclaimed the foreman. only we're
going to run 'em over to those cotton
woods and drive the horses out from
under 'em. Stand still, you tow-headed
COW thief" he cried, slipping the
moose up tight on George Seagrue's
neck.
See here" returned Whispering
Smith, showing some annoyance, you
. may lie joking, but l am not Either
do as l tell you or release those men.
well, | guess we are not joking
very much. You heard me, didn't
: you?" demanded Stormy, angrily. I'VE
are going to string these damned crit
! tiers up right here in the draw on the
: first tree"
Whispering Smith drew a pocket
knife and walked to Flat Nose, slit the
i rope around his neck, pushed him out
: Of the circle, and stood in front of him
you can't play horse with my pris
:. oners," he said, CURLY. Get over
here, Karg. Come, now, who is going
- to walk in first? You act like school
boy, German"
Hard words and a wrangle followed
- but Smith did not change expression
!" and there was back-down. Have you
fellows let Du Sang get away while
you were playing fool here?" he asked
"Du Sang's over the hill there on his
. horse, and full of fight yet" exclaimed
one.
= Then We will look him up" sug
= gested Smith. Come, Seagrue."
L Don't go over there. He'll get yor
= If you do" cried German.
= Let us see about that. Seagrue
" you and Karg walk ahead. Don't ducl
e or run, either of you Go on"
d Just over the brow of the hill neal
<, which the fight had taken place, Z
e man lay below ledge of granite. The
1t horse from which he had fallen wal
S. grazing close by, but the man hal
e dragged himself out of the blindinl
1t sun to the shade of the sagebrusl
st above the rock-the trail of it all la!
e very plain on the hard ground. Watch
Ell ing him narrowly, Smith, with hii
g, prisoners ahead and the cowboy,
g riding in circle behind, approached
Ie "Du Sang%
1t The man in the sagebrush turnev
70 his head.
N Smith walked to him aud ben
n down. Are you suffering much, D.
X Sang%
le The wounded man, sinking wit
is shock and internal hemorrhage, III
lie tered a string Of oaths.
II Smith listened quietly till he ha
s. dore: then he knelt beside him an