Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-07-23

capture would be assured.
With difficulty loosening Moreau's
fast stiffening fingers from their death
grip upon the pistol. young Randall
hastily concealed the weapon upon his
person and thus 10y single movement
transformed what had been an honor
able and fair encounter into a seem
ingly deliberate and cold blOoded muir
der. The fact that Moreau had used
the late John Randalrs weapon. leav-
Ing his own at Nine DaveZac's, would
be but additional proof that Cameo
Kirby had shot down an unarmed
man. But one living witness other
than Tom Randall had been present at
this exchange OF weapons. and he.
Aaron, would be expected 10 keep 81
lent. Revenge. may it ever be honor
able. but, honorable or dishonorable.
revenge at ali costs-such was the
boys slogan.
He had hardly resumed possession
OF bis fathers weapon and thus cast
the stigma OF murder upon Kirby
when several men. attracted by the
shots and whose rapid approach had
spurred the boy 20 instant action, cnme
running into the grove. To them young
Randall breathlessly recounted his yer
sion Of the tragedy. You see, the gen
tleman has no weapon" he concluded.
pointing TO Moreau's barren hands.
This, therefore. is a deliberate and
carefully planned murder. Like your
selves, l was attracted by the shot"
But there was two OF 'em, for I
counted put I'm one OF the newcomers.
THE murderer evidently missed az
his first fire." said Tom. My name is
Randall OF PlaQuemine. so you may
accept by word that I found the gen
tleman as 7 have stated. This is a
great and villainous outrage. I happen
70 know the victim. a most estmable
and honorable gentleman. who had
the misfortune 20 incur the enmity OF
the notorious river gambler Cameo
Kirby. The latter swore to get even.
and there Is no doubt he has fulflled
his murderous and cowardly inten-
ton"
Il seen this Kirby In town yeSter-
day" commented one OF the men. ex-
aiming with morbid curiosity Mo-
reau's death wound. Hes a bad egg
from all accounts. Done his job neat
Shot from ambush. ! reckon"
we passed him on the road as we
come into the grove" added a second.
Il know him by sight-a youngish
looking, gray eyed blade with sort Of
dandy getup TO him. We asked him
n there had been a dooel, and he said
yes. he thought So
He lies. as you can seer cried Tom.
springing 70 his feet. What road did
he take?r
"He come from that away" inter
rupted the informant. pointing in the
direction Kirby had taken. but YOU
all know the road forks farther down"
Come. Wei! separate. and he can
not escaper' cried Tom Its our
duty TO hunt the villain down. TO aid
the law all we can. Ducling is one
thing. but murder such as this de.
serves only lynch law. Wen show
the Scoundrel the same quality OF mer-
cy he meted out 20 this poor defense
less gentleman"
That's right Short Shrift and a
long rope" cried the men
Plotted by the member who had met
Kirby, the small imprompu posse
quickly made its way through the un-
derbrush. emerging on the road which
the gambler. at a point below the York.
was even then traversing. When tue
fork OF the road was reached Tom and
two companions chose the right or
southerly branch while the man who
had met Kirby. accompanied 10y n half
grown youth. bore away to the left.
Thus by another Intervention OF the
fates young RandalrS meeting with
the gambler was again postponed The
former and his companions. alarming
the countryside en- route. reached
town without overtaking or even sight
ing their quarry.
Meanwhile the oth2r members OF the
posse had Jared better-or worse.
They had not long left their compan-
ions before Kirby was sighted. walk
ing leisurely with bowed head and evil
IDENTITY preoccupied mind. Warned by
the rapidly advancing steps OF his self
constituted judges and executioners.
he turned in mild curiosity and await
Ell their approach
The farmer and his sOn-for such
was the relationship existing between
this contingent Of the purSuers-came
up hot and painting from their eXer-
lions aud, meeting kirby's cool and
pleasantly inquiring eyes. became for
the moment nonplused and confused.
Rather a warmish morning for such
strenuous exercise. gentlemen" greet
ed the gambler 1t is obvious that
your business is with me- Pray il
what manner can ! serve yOu?"
The youths lOutish bearing became
the more evident in contradiStinction
10 that OF the elegant and courteous
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