El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-05-23
wv ELL. think it's downright
w eowardly.
~ 1rnrnrnn, Halliwell had TO
BY George S. Surrey.

" ELL, l. LINK IL OOffuA1S III
NJ cowardly.'
Tommy Halliwell had to
say it, though he felt sorry the next
moment. remembering the woman in
the corner of the stage
The words had been on the tip OF
/ his tongue for the past five minutes,
and quite involuntarily had at last es-
capped from behind his teeth. He
meant the words. he felt them; but
they were a little dangerous.
1t is imprudent to throw out a gem
eral accusation of cowardice, unless
you know your company very well in
deed. when the Mississippi is left be-
hind.
On this occasion no explosion fol-
lowed. Three pairs of eyes sought the
young Englishman's face; their ex-
preston was more grave than threat
ening, and he colored.
But he was prepared to justify his
announcement, and his blue eyes met
the others defiantly.
For the past half hour. while the
coach had groaned and rumbled
through the night he had listened
to conversation based on a possible
holdup before reaching Blood creek.
Seth Jones. the driver. when he
climbed to his seat at Sheridan, had
exchanged words with one of the hotel
1oungers on the same subject Both
had agreed that as nothing had re-
Gently been heard of Red Mike Flaher-
ty and his gang, it is possible that
they would be seen before long.
And Jones had given it as his opin-
ion that the road through the foot
hills. eight or nine miles the nearside
of Blood creek, would be the most
likely place for Mike to show himself.
Iol hai N Emo ich r1oe2
couldn't understand the calm. dispas
sionate attitude of the prospective VIC
tins to Mikes lust for gold, They
certainly didn't want to see Mike, but
it was quite plain to the silent. list
ening Englishman. that if Mike did ap-
pear on the=scene, he would only have
to ask to be accommodated.
This condition of passive acceptance
of robbery did not agree with Tommy
He heard the women passengers ask
question. learned that Red Mikes gang
consisted of but one, and his surprise
turned to irritation.
So, after chewing the reflection over
for half an hour. he had let out his
exclamation, and then stared defiance
at the eyes turned on him.
Ever been this way before, mister?"
one queried after lengthy silence.
He was a big, gaunt miner. hard
featured and square jawed, certainly
not q weakling in appearance, yet he
had seemed quite resigned to the loss
Of what he had on him should Mike
appear.
mo"
"Ah. thought So"
Halliwen had on him some $4,000 in
greenbacks, all the money he had in
the world, and with which he was
meaning to purchase a share in the
Kicking Kate mine. 1t was no wonder
he had a strong disapproya1 of tamely
handing over his cash to possible
road agent.
HIN! I'll low that'1l depend. mis-
ter" one of the miners said thought
fully MY names Langford, an they
know me in tn camp; brought tidy
bit o. dust along o. me when 1 left
week agone, but if Mike an his pals
stopped US I guess I'd ha turned it
over to en-
And YOU give up what you've got
to the first scroundrel who asks for
it?'' cried HalliwelL
The scoundrels usually hev a gun"
Langford explained
What of that? You're armed as
well?"
yer don't seem to understand, mis-
ter" the man said with a weary sir
What's the good O. losing yer hair
an shown fight when yer liable t be
drilled before yer can get yer gum"