Putnam patriot., 1909-01-01
nv wa,ehwori.~ laughed Claiborne

floating mist It was now so clear and light that they could see the wood at either hand. though fifty yards ahead in every direction the fog stiIl lay like a barrieade.
 ..l should value change of raj ment.'' observed Armitage. There was an advantage in armor-your dnds might get rusty on damp excursion. but your shirt wouldn't stick to your hide
 .who caress Those devils are pret- ty quiet. and the little sergeant is about due to bump into them again
 They had come to gradual turn in the road al point where steep wood ed incline swept up on the left. On the right lay the old hunting preserve and Armitage's bungalow. As they drew into the curve they heard a re volver crack twice. as before. followed by answering shots and cries and the thump of hoofs.
 .0hee. Oscar has struck them again. Steady now, Watch your horse!' And Armitage raised his arm high above his head and fired twice as a warning to Oscar.
 The distance between tue contending parties was shorter now than at the first meeting, and Armitage and Clai- borne bent forward in their saddles. talking softly to their horses, that had danced wildly at Armitage's shots,
 "Lord. if we can crowd them in here now and back to the Portl'
 .'There.''
 Exclamations died on their lips at the instant Ahead of them lay the fog. rising and breaking in soft folds. and behind 1t men yelled and several shots snapped spitefully on the heavy air. Then a curious picture disclosed Itself just at the edge of the vapor as though 1t were . curtain through which actors in a drama emerged upon . stage. Zmai and Chauvenet flashed into view suddenly and close behind them Oscar. yelling like mad. He drove his horse between the two men. threw himself fiat as Zmai fired at him and turned and waved his hat and laughed at them; then just before his horse reach ed Claiborne and Armitage he checked its speed abruptly. tlnng it about and then charged back. still yelling. upon the amazed foe
 Hes crazy; he's gone clean out of his head" muttered Claiborne. re- straining his horse with difficulty. What do you make of it?''
 Hes having fun with them. He's just rattling them to warm himself up. the little besgar. l didn't know it was in him.
 Back went Oscar toward the two horsemen he had passed less than minute before. still yelling. and this time he discharged his revolver with seeming unconcern for the value of ammunition. and as he again dashed between them and back through the gray curtain Armitage gave the word. and he and Claiborne swept on at a gallop.
 Durand WAS out of sight. and Chau- venet turned and looked behind him uneasily; then he spoke sharply te Zmai. Oscars wild ride back and forth had demoralized the horses. which were snorting and plunging wildly. As Armitage and Claiborne advanced Chauvenet spoke again to Zmai and drew his own revolver. .sOh. Ear a saber powr' growled sClai- borne.
 But 1t was not moment for specula- ton or regret Both sides were perfect ly silent as Claiborne. leading slightly. with Armitage pressing close at his left. gailoped toward the two men who faced them at the gray wall of mist They bore to the left with view of erowding the two horsemen of the road and into the preserve. and as they neared them they heard cries through the mist and rapid hoof beats, and Durand's horse leaped the ditch at the roadside just before it reached Chau- venea and Zmai. and ran away through the rough underbrush into the wood. Oscar close behind and silent now. grimly intent os his business
 The revoivers Of Zmai and ChAuve- net cracked together. and they, too. turned their horses into the wood. and away they all went leaving the road clear.
 My ho=se got 1t that timer Ahoutsd Claiborne.
 -.So did G.~ replied Armitage- "'Bat aevef you mind. old man, weFAe got them cornered now~
 Claiborne glanced Af Armitase and saw his right hand. still holding Ais revolver. 90 to his shoulder.
 "Much damageT
 ''It struck . hard plaee. but am stiM 6t"
 The blood streamed from the neck of Claiborne's horse, which threw up its head and snorted in pain, but kept bravely on at the trOt in which Armi- tage had set the pace.
 Poor devil, We'll have a reckoning pretty soon," cried Armitage cheerily. "No kingdom is worth a good horse"
 They advanced at trot toward the Port.
 "You'll be afoot any minute now, but we're in good shape and on our own sou, with those carrion between us 3z3ISI[