The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-04-17

for few measly dollars Why didn't you
take my money an lemme sleep, stead Of
wakin' me up an kickin' me? I wouldn't
"a cared then"
Come on, now; get up. We amt through
with you yet" ordered Bill, helping him to
his feet and steadying him: I'm glad you
kicked EN-"
mo- you amt; you can't fool me" gravely
assured Hopalong. "You know yo're lynn.
What you goin' to do? Amt got money
enough2 By Cd, wish 1 had an even break
with you felersl"
Stevenson, on his feet again, walked pair
fully up and shook his fist at the captive, from
the side. you'll find out what we want
with you, you id boss thief" he cried.
"We're goin' to tie you to that limb so yore
feetI swing above tn grass, that's what
we're goin' to do"
Bill and Jed had their hands full for mo-
ment and as they finally mastered the puncher,
Charley came up with rope. "Hurry up
no use draggin' it out this way. want to get
back to TIL ranch before night"
"W'y, amt no hoss-thief, you liar!"
Hopalong cried. "My names Hopalong
Cassidy an wen tells my friends bout this
they'll make you hard to find. Gimme
chance an I'll do it m'self, sick as ami"
as that yore cayuse?" demanded Charley,
pointing.
Hopalong squinted: (Which one7"
"There's only one there, you fool"
"Tha'so?" replied Hopalong, surprised.
"Never seen it before. My cayuse isis
where tn devil is it?" he asked, looking
around.
"How'd you get that one, then7"
"Never had it-'tain't mine," replied
Hopalong, with strong conviction.
"You stole that cayuse last night outen
Stevenson's corral"
"DidI? Wy" his forehead became fur
rowed again but the events of the night before
were vague in his memory and he only STUN
bled in his soGloquy. "But 1 wouldn't swap
my cayuse for that boneyard!" he finished
triumphantly, as if an appeal to logic would
ClinCh things. The rope went around his
neck and furry of excitement ensued.
Wh,:n the dust settled he was on his back
again and the rope was being tossed over a
limb. Just then a hail was heard and a
stranger rode up and slid to stand.
Charley's gun glinted as it swung up and
the newcomer swore angrily. "What you
doin'2" he shouted. "Take that gun off'n
me or I'll blow you apart!"
"Mind yore business an sit still" Char
ley snapped: "Weve got a hoss-thief an
we're goin' to hang him, regardless"
Hopalong turned his head slowly. "He's
liar, stranger; plain, squaw's-dog liar.
An I'll be much obliged if you'll shoot HI
outen em an let-7Uhy, knllo, hoss-tkiet!" he
exclaimed, recognizing the other. 1t was
the man he had chased for horse-thief and
then snapped horses with. "Stole any more
cayusesP" he asked, grinning, believing that
everything was all right now.
"Han's up!" roared Stevenson, also cover
ing the stranger. $50 yo're another, heyl
We're in luck to-day. Watch him, boys, till
] get his gun-if he moves, drop him."
"You fool" cried Ferris. He amt no
thief, an neither am 1! My names Ben
Ferris an live in Winchester. That's Hop
along Cassidy-Cassidy, of tn Bar-2o!"
"St still-you can talk later, mebby!"
snapped Stevenson, warily approaching him.
watch him, boys!"
"Hold on!" shouted Ferris, murder in his
eyes. "Don't you try that-I1l get one of
you anyhow You can listen minute an
can't get away"
Talk quick"
Ferris pleaded as hard as he knew how and
called attention to the condition of their pris-
oner: eff he did take tn wrong cayuse he
was too drunk to know it-good Cd, can't
you see he ISL" he cried
"Yep-through YETI"
mol l amt started yeti" he yelled. "He
did me good turn, one that can't never pay
back, an I'm goin' to stop this or go with him.
II 60 I'll take one of you with me, an my
outhtl get tn rest" His eyes lighted sud-
denly and he. talked feverishly to gain time.
Seeing that Jed White was wavering, Steven
son ordered them to go on with the work and
watched Ferris like cat watches mouse
But Ferris stood up slowly in his stirrups and
shouted at the top of his voice, waving his
sombrero frantically. A faint cheer reached
his ears and made the lynchers turn quickly
and look behind them. Nine men were
tearing toward them at dead run and were
due to arrive in a very few minutes.
Me an my outfit started out to round up
COWS an got jackasses," Ferris laughed.
"Now lynch him, d-n you'll"
The nine swept up in skirmish order, guns
out and ready. whats tn matter, Benz
demanded Tom Murphy, ominously, and
then swore as he caught sight OF the rope.
"Nothin', now. That's Hopalong Cas-
sidy-Tm goin' to take him to tn ranch,
when he's sober, an interdouce him to some
good friends of hissn he's never seen. Amt /,
Cassidy"
But Mr.. Cassidy made no response He
was sound asleep, as he had been since the