The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1910-03-10

pany OF regulars over mere, III you want 70
undertake that campaign"
Mcdonald argued and related what he had
done in No-Man's Land. but 20 no purpose.
Mcdonald went about the town trying 10
enlist volunteers. He realized that a scat
tered gang would require time 10 corral and
that its members would be likely 10 be awake
and busy before he got them all in. He did
not want a company OF soldiers, for such q
force would scare the gang and accomplish
nothing. He discovered a man presently who
agreed TO drive a hack. provided he would be
asked to do no fighting and would be allowed
TO remain out Of range.
They set out long before d~aybreak next
morning with a big Observation-Disclosures
with an extra horse and drove 20 the home
Of what was considered the most desperate OF
the Sand creek gang-n very hard looking Gus.
toner who lived with his wife in a dugout in
O small clearing. Mcdonald lost no time. for
q whlnny OF the horse might rouse the occu'
pants OF the dugout. and with his Winchester
cooked stepped across the little clearing and
without ceremony pushed open the door. As
he did so a woman stepped directly In 'front.'
OF him, calling out a warning TO some one be-
hind her. In tho dimness Of the place Melon
aid saw a man on a bed in the corner reach
ing for a gun which lay on the mattress near
him. u was no time for manners. With q
quick sweep Of his gun the officer pushed the
woman aside and covered the man on the bed
before he could bring his weapon to bear.
Drop It." he said; drop Il or you're 9
dead mani"
There was no mistaking the sincerity Of
that order. The mild fruit tree peddler was
merged completely into the resolute officer.
with eyes Of steel and a crisp voice that ut
tered words OF uumistakable meaning. The
gun fell upon the bed. Mcdonald backed out
Of the door. ordering his prisoner and the wo-
man TO follow him and TO make no suspicious
movements. Outside. he handcuned the man.
led him to the waiting hack and shackled him
First delivery" he said TO the astonished
driver. Wen go on now and make the rest"
The next hut was perhaps a mile further
along and tho sun was getting up when they
arrived. AS they approached they saw the
occupant standing IN the doorway. Ho saw
them about the same time and suspected
trouble. His horse was hitched 20 a mesquite
tree. and making for II he mounted and fed,
Mcdonald was mounted also and gave chase
Tho race continued for perhaps n half mile,
when the Officer realized that his man had tho
better horse aud would presently get into the
brakes and escape. He diamountcd quickly.
therefore, aud. taking careful aim, began 70
shoot at the ground near the flying horse in
such n manner that the bullet striking tho
earth would 20 singing by very close to tho
ears Of the fugitive. Ho had long since dis.
covered that a bullet singing In that way. close
20 a mans ears. has an impressive and con
ylncing sound. A man hearing a bullet sing
by like that would be willing to bet any rea-
sonablo sum that the next one would hit him,
especially when the command, Halt! or I'll
get yeh. next time" came with II, With tho
second shot the disturbed rider brought his
horse UP suddenly. dismounted and made mo-
tons OF surrender. Mcdonald signaled him
90 approach, sill keeping him covered, lie
came up In good order and was marched 20
the hack.
Two men we're at breakfast at the next
place and Deputy Bill's Winchester covered
them before they fairly realized that they had
a morning visitor. These two were hand
cunod together and marched TO the hack. The
driver by this time had picked up a good deal
Of courage and remained only a few yards be
hind. As for the outlaws. they we're inclined
10 be sociable. and with the true western
American spirit discerned a certain humor in
the situation.
Hello. jim. you been buying fruit trees
too7" was tho greeting OF one OF the men al
ready loaded as the ,ndcuned pair came In
what did you get peaches or pearsf"
you 20 10 hell, will you? Youll get a tree
with rope on II before you yet out OF THU
ness"
Mcdonald, always good nRtured with his
prisoners. Joined In the banteriug.
I'm delivering" he said; II brought in
nice pair. this time" as he loaded his double
capture into the hack