Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-05-07

ment who became mixed up with a
gang of New York malefactors and
fed 20 Arizona TO escape the officers
OF Justice
Such cases were by no means rare
at that time. The wild lands OF the
territory offered handy place of
refuge for restless spirits who had
placed themselves beyond the pale OF
society in more civilized regions. IL
was not considered courteous or even
safe 20 inquire too closely into your
neighbor's past. in Arizona n he
chose 20 assume name that did not
righuully belong 10 him, that was no
oody's business except his own: and
20 push your curiosity 20 the extent
OF asking awkward questions was an
indiscretion which nobody but the
most hopeless teneerfoot would be
likely 10 persist I'm. II is altogether
probable that Royal was not the hap
tismal opithet bestowed upon the gen
tleman in question at the beginning OF
his career. but so far as is known. no
one ever attempted 20 argue the mat
ter with him. Before making his APP
pearance in Arizona he had been a
eowpuncher in the Panhandle of Tex
as-hence the nickname by which he
was afterward destined 20 become no
tOrious throughout the territory.
During his career in the Panhandle
Royal had won the reputation Of a
dead sure shot, and splendid horse
man. but there was no stigma Of
crime resting upon his name. Soon
after his arrival in Arizona, however.
he and a confederate known as
slim" Judson. held up a stage, shot
down the guard and express messen-
ger and got away with a valuable
consignment of bullion. worth In the
neighbOrhood OF $4,000 A sheriff
and posse were soon on their trail.
The posse was gradually closing in
on the robbers. after a hard ride
which demonstrated very clearly what
Arizona horses could do when pushed
TO the limit OF their powers. The way
led FIRST through a canyon bed filled
with slippery rocks and powders.
while on either side a thick fringe of
eottonwoods and oaks partially con-
cealed the frowning sides OF steep
ellis. Gradually the men worked up
90 divide where they could see a
range Of rugged mountains
Slowly down the mountain rolled a
white cloud. as the fleece rolls away
from sheep that is being shorn, un-
oil IL lay in a tumbled heap at the
bottom Of the range. Out OF the east
came the dawn, revealing peaks that
rose high into the blue OF the skies.
Upon both sides OF him Texas Harry.
crouching in the crags, heard the ring
OF steel shod hoofs and knew that he
was being surrounded. Every moment
was precious. for the coming OF dawn
carried a warning of approaching
death on its breath. He cursed the
short-sighted policy which had led
him TO separate from his pal an hour
ago, in the hope that their dIverEing
trails might chance to throw the pur-
suers of the scent. Now his only hone
lay in reaching a point beyond which
the horsemen might not ride, and he
FASTENED on up the narrow gulch
At the exit he found his path blocked
by one OF the members of the posse
and both men opened fire at once. A
bullet from Texas six-shooter struck
the officers horse. and a slug OF lead
from a Winchester just grazed the
bandits left shoulder The deputy's
horse was hit hard and reared wildly,
making Il impossible for the rider TO
aim steadily at his opponent. He
threw down his rifle and had recourse
20 his revolver, but his finger had
hardly pressed the trigger before
Texas gun cracked sharply again and
the deputy reeled backward with n
bullet IN his heart. The horse plunged
nadly again and the slain rider fell
70 the ground, his left foot stin
caught In the stirrup. Blind with rage
and pain the broncho bounded wildly
away. dragging the body OF the dep
MY over the rocks. The animal burst
through a broad cedar. and the next
instant sprang over a precipice and
rolled headlong down the side of a
neep gorge. When the sheriff and his