Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-10

frightening speed, when Bostwck raised his
gun and fired.
The bullet went wide, and Van came on.
Bostwick steadied and fired again. There was
no such thing as hating the demon in the car
but the targets size was rapidly increasing.
Nevertheless, the third shot missed, like the
Others Would the mailman never halt?
Bostwick dropped a knee to the floor, steadied
the barrel on the cushion, lined up the sight,
and pulled the trigger.
With the roar of the weapon Van abruptly
dropped. The bullet had pierced his shoulder.
And still he came on. His face had suddenly
paled; his lips had hardened in manner new
to his face. He halted the car, aware that his
foe had exhausted his ammunition, since no
more shots were fired. His own big gun he
drew deliberately. To sustain himself through
the shock of his wound drained the utmost OF
his nerve He was hardly ten feet away from
the man who stood there, captive IN his car.
WELL, Searle," he said you're better
y" shot than thought, and better driver.
In fact YOU drive SO almighty well am gong
to let you drive me back to camp He rose
from his seat unsteadily. He was bleeding:
His left arm was all but useless. Come down.
he added. Come down and take my seat!
And don't make the slightest error IN etiquette.
Searle or I'll see if forty-some-odd ball Will
bounce when it lands on your skull!
Bostwick had expected to be shot on the
abiectly afraid. His nerve had oozed away the
more for the grimness of the man who stood be-
fore him,-a man with such wound as that
who was still the master of his forces Searle
was terribly white. His teeth fairly chattered
in his head He had played desperate part
and lost. The race and this present denoue-
ment had shattered the man completely. He
came down to the ground and stood there,
silently staring at Van.
Despite his show of strength, Van stepped
~ into Ia
seated himself on the cushion.
up there in the seat, Searle,' he repeated,
land drive back at moderate speed!
Bostwicks surrender was complete: lie
climbed to the drivers position, still silently,
and started the car in an automatic way that
knew no thought of resistance. At the rear OF
his head Van held the gun, and back toward
Goldite they moved.
TWO miles out, the Sheriff. in a borrowed car,
L grimly seated at the drivers side, came
bearing down upon them The cars were
halted long enough for the Sheriff to take his
place with Searle, and then they fastened on
Christler had instantly seen that Van was
wounded He as quickly realized that to rush
Van to town and medical attendance was the
only possible plan.
He merely said, you're hurt!"
Van tried to smile. A little He was rap
idly losing strength.
Christler thought to divert him. He shouted
above the purring of the car, Found Matt all
right! I'm goin' to take him back to the State
authorities in that convict suit that's hangln
around the store!'
Van was instantly aroused: No, YOU don't,
Bill! No, YOU don'ti" he said i've got use
for those stripes myself. You'll buy Matt the
best suit of clothes in town, and charge the bill
to me-"
If Bostwick heard, or understood, he did not
make sign He was driving like servant on
the box; but he could not have stood on his
feet.
They were coming to town. A cavalcade of
horsemen, drivers of buggies, and men on foot
came excitedly trooping down the road to meet
the short procession.
Despite his utmost efforts, Van was gone.
Weak from the loss of blood and the shock ne
could hold up his frame no longer.
Bill he said. the Sheriff turned. Il
guess I'm-all in-for little. Cold storage
him. till get back on my feet!"
He waved loose gesture toward Bostwick.
then sank unconscious to the floor.
CHAPTER XIV.
The Last Cigars
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