Rocky Ford enterprise., 1910-03-11

pany of regulars over here. II you want to
undertake that campaign"
Mcdonald argued and related what he had
done in NoMan's Land. but to no purpose.
Mcdonald went about the town trying to
enlist volunteers. He realized that scat.
tered gang would require time to corral and
that Its members would be likely to be awake
and busy before he got them all In. He did
not want a company Of soldiers. for such a
force would scare the gang and accomplish
nothing. He discovered n 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 daybreak next
morning with big three eseater-McDonald
with an extra horse and drove to the home
OF what was considered the most desperate OF
the Sand creek gang-a very hard looking Gus
toner who lived with his wife in dugout In
n small clearing. Mcdonald lost no time. Tor
a whinny Of the horse might rouse the occu-
pants of the duEout, and with his winchester
cooked stepped across the little clearing and
without ceremony pushed open the door. As
he did a woman stepped directly In 'front.'
Of him. calling out n warning to some one be-
hind her. In the dimness OF the place McDon
aid saw a man on n bed in the corner reach
ing for a gun which lay on the mattress near
him. 1t time for manners. with n
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 !: or you're a
dead man."
There was no mistaking the sincerity Of
that order The mild fruit tree peddler was
merged completely into the rcsolute officer
with eyes of steel and n crisp voice that ut
tered words Of unmistakable meaning. The
gun fell upon the bed. Mcdonald backed out
of the door. ordering his prisoner and the wo-
man to follow him md to make no suspicious
movements. Outside. he handcuffed the man.
led him to the waiting hack and shackled him
First delivery" he said to the astonished
driver. We'll 20 now and make the rest
The next hut was perhaps a mile further
along and the WAS getting up when they
arrived. As they approached they saw the
occupant standing in the doorway He saw
them about the same time and suspected
trouble. His horse was hitched to mesquite
tree. and making for 1t he mounted and He'd
Mcdonald was mounted also and gave chase
The race continued for perhaps a half mile.
when the officer realized that his man had the
better horse and would presently get into the
brakes and escape. He dismounted quickly.
therefore. and. taking careful aim. began to
shoot at the ground near the flying horse In
such a manner that the bullet striking the
earth would go singing by very close to the
ears of the fugitive. He had long since dis
covered that bullet singing In that way. close
to a mans ears has an impressive and con.
vincing sound man hearing bullet sing
by like that would be willing to bet any rea-
EOnaDle
especially when the command. Halt! or I'll
get yeh next time" came with II. With the
second shot the disturbed rider brought his
horse up suddenly. dsmounted and made mo-
tions of surrender. Mcdonald signaled him
to approach still keeping him covered. He
came up In good order and was marched to
the hack.
Two men we're at breakfast at the next
place and Deputy Bills Winchester covered
them before they fairly realized that they had
a morning visitor These two were hand
cuffed together and marched to the hack. The
driver by this time had picked up good deal
of courage and remained only a few yards be-
hind As for the outlaws. they were inclined
to be sociable. and with the true western
American spirit discerned n certain humor in
the situation.
Hello. jim you been buying fruit trees
too?" was the greeting of one of the men al
ready loaded as the handcuffed pair came in.
What did you get-peaches or pears?"
you go to hell. will you? You1 get tree
with a rope on 1t before you get out OF this
meas
Mcdonald, always good natured with his
prisoners toiued In the bantering.
I'm delivering" he said; Il brought In a
nice pair this time" as he loaded his double
CAPTURE into the hack.