New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-19

flung round like a wheel, but the sounds those
OF top
Barger was steaded in his tracks for better marks
manship He had heard that succession OF metallic
snaps, he knew he had Van Buren, at his mercy.
Three OF his shots remained untred, and second
used pistol in his belt with more ammunition The
fellow even smiled as he was aiming
THERE was one thing 10 do-and Van did il He
leaped his bronco clean against the wall. then
spurred him straight for Barger The shot that
split the air again spattered on the rocks Be
fore the convict could make ready To avoid the
charge. SUvy almost upon him He partially
fell and partially leaped a little from the brouco's
path; but was struck as the pony bounded by
He yelled Tor his leg was rampled and hurt by the
pressure of Suvys shoe nevertheless he leaped 10 his
feet at once and fired wildly at his man.
He emPtied his gun, drew the other. and ran too
eager for his deed OF revenge TO halt and take a
steady ann bullet punCtured the bronco's ear,
and the blood flew back upon Van.
They were past the walls in the briefest time and
Van attacked the slope Barger came after, yelling
IN rage He tripped, and his hurt leg dropped him
Already wearied and famished for drink Suvy
nevertheless rose 10 the needs of the moment with
strength Incredible He scaled that sandy treacher-
Gus slope like an engine built for the purpose 1t was
love, pure love for the his back that put
the mighty sinewS in his body
Two shots and two bullets from below proclaimed
renewed activities where Barger once more on
his feet, but the man had lost too much ground TO
recover his advantage. He knew that Van Buren,
with horse like that, could win the high ridge and
escape
He ragged he cursed himself and his God for this.
his second slip Then again he abruptly thought
of a chance whereby TO redeem his CALLING failures
His man on the horse would be than hour in
reaching the river by the slopes y man on foot
could beat him there. and beat him across to the
farther side, from which to attack with Surer aim
from the of willows by the ford The flood had
subsidized This Barger knew The water was hardly
knee high on man; and better than all Van Buren,
would scarcely dream of such a plan being within
the range of possibilities.
LaborlouSly. in fever of mpatience, Barger made
shit after strenuous work. to climb his barrier of
rock Then up to the summit OF the trail he sped
and down on the farther side
MEANTIME, Van disguised with himself for nd
ing away from fight. could only look At his
useless gun and excuse himself trite because of his
detenSeeSSneSS The S1rmiSh had served TO arouse
him. however and for that he all but thankful to
the convict who had waited in the pass
Then he wondered how it came that Matt could
have thus been lying in wait The fellow must have
been informed, To prepare elaborate a trap 1t
hardly seemed as If plot against his life could ex-
plain this trip that Beth had desired him to take He
could hardly credit thing utterly deSpicable So
murderous yet for what earthly reason had She sent
HIM on the trip with a letter the stage could have
carried?
The thing was preposterousi No woman on earth
could have sanctioned alliance with Barger BUT
what OF Bostwlck, the man who had spent a portion
OF his time with the liberated Convicts9 \ Tevenqe
hNe TINS would appeal to him, would seem to him
Singularly appropriate. Beth could have lent her as
sisance To the plan without guilty knowledge of an
outcome such as this, and BoStwick-Beth knew thar
Barger was Vans enemy. He had told her so him
sen factS We're facts. Her letter to Glen revealed
her state OF mind and here was this attack MANNED
attack, which proved Conclusivelv that Barger had
been prepared. beforehand with knowledge of the
trip.
From having been depressed before. Van was
tn'ue th9roughly angry. The whole thing was in
famous, dastardly and Beth could not be co,ittedi
Strangely enough against the convict Barger the
horSeinan telt no wrath Barger had a grievance