The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-09-26
TheLaStChance
1t Led to Proof Of True
Friendship
By SARAH MARIA GRANT
Convri1hf nv Arnarfoan Freaa Aaao-

By SARAH MARIA GRANT

+ Copyright by American Press Asso-
Z citation. 1911
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
A dirty looking Mexican had brought
the roughly scrawled note to the Lone
Bull ranch 1t was at the edge Of the
eveEing, and the extended absence Of
light hearted Harry Barry had been a
matter of comment among his COM
rades. His two weeks leave Of alb
sence had been stretched to three, and,
although work was dull at this season,
his silence caused vague disquietude
among the older men.
The note was addressed to Gabriel,
and he unfolded it with the careful
deliberation of one who seldom re
ceives an epistle. He held the torn
sheet of paper close to the lamp and
scanned the words with sharp eyes
that narrowed to mere pin points Of
lighs. when he had concluded.
tits from him." he said. with curt
nod toward Harry Barry's empty chair.
They scented trouble in the tone Of
his voice. Gabriel was not given to
emotion, but he had grown attached
to Harry Barry and loved him as a
son.
What's happenedY' demanded Jim
Lewis,
For answer Gabriel tossed the note
across the table. and Jim seized it
eagerly and read aloud:
Come to the three cottonwoods and
bring the boys to celebrate. It's the last
chance. H. B.
Hardened though they were, the
faces of the four blanched as the mean
ing of the words smote them strongly.
The three tall cottonwoods that stood
near Satan's Gulch marked spot that
was recognized throughout the ada
cent cattle country as place where
the swift justice Of the plains was
melted out to offenders.
| Without a word the four arose and
grim silence they strobe out Of the
bunk house, forgetful of the Mexican
who crouched In the veranda as they
passed.
They were three miles on their way
| toward Satan's Gulch when the Crane
broke the silence What beedme of
the greaser2" he asked suddenly.
II forgot him." admitted Gabriel
ibid anybody pay him for the letter."
"You paid him yourself. Gabe. l
saw you flip him four bits" remarked
Jim Lewis.
They all grew silent once more.
thinking perhaps Of the merry even
ings spent under the star busted sky
or In the shelter Of the bunk house
with Harry Barry. the pivotal center
| about which good humor swung.
"There's only one thing Harry might
do" growled Gabriel from the depth
Of troubled heart.
"And he wouldn't do that unless he
was pushed to wrangle. Harry be
wasn't one to force gun play" added
Jim Lewis seriously.
IF Harry did drop his man 1t would
be In fair fight, and there wouldn't
| be no cause to- The Cranes pause
was significant
They rode on across the shriveled
grasses and down dry water courses,
heading always for the southeast and
yet ever dreading to glimpse the gaunt
outline of the cottonwoods against the
sky A young moon slipped down the
western spaces, and after awhile there
was no light save that of the stars,
and In the soft radiance they moved
on their way to take advantage of
their last chance to say farewell to
Harry Barry.
1t was GabriePs eyes that first saw
the black cottonwoods, and he halted
his horse with a sudden jerk and
stopped the progress of the other men.
Il got something to say" he NUT
tered hoarsely. 1--WE all know that
what's going to happen in the morning
can't be stopped just because Harry
Is our friend. Them Of US that breaks
| the law, whether intentional or other
wise, has to pay the price. and Harry
got to take his medicine. But We'll all
stand by him till
They nodded silently, but there was
not one of them, Gabriel included, who
did not register a mental vow to at
tempt to free Harry Barry before the
dawn broke
Almost within the shadow Of the
trees the four halted their horses and
peered into the gloom. Jim Lewis
slipped from his saddle and cautious
~ reconnoitered. Presently he came
back and spoke breathlessly.
Hes yonder-alone. White Star r.
near at hand"
Leading his own horse and followed
by the others. Jim Lewis cautiously
led the way into the deeper shadows
where Harry Barry was sleeping
They were somewhat puzzled at the
absence Of his captors. but Satan's
Gulch presented many rocks and Gran
MES that might be preferred to the
star canopied sky as sleeping quarters
and probably the condemned man was
bound and helpless.
Presently they discerned the outline
Of a picketed horse and not far away
dark bundle on the ground that
breathed heavily.
''The young DEVIL" groaned Gabriel
to misunderstanding like that tonight
In spite of the silent vow that had
been registered a half hour before
Harry Barry's friends moved as by one
accord to accomplish a set purpose.
Quietly enough one unprotected the
horse White Star and, mounting his
own beast. led the other. Another
pulled blanket from his saddle. and
the ouner rWo assisted in tossing II
over Harry Barry's head and bodily
carrying that bundle Of mufled threats
and wriggling muscles to Gabriel's
mount, where he was laid across the
/ saddle in front of the lean ranchman
and In less time than it takes to relate
the incident they were away. riding
| like streak for the state line.
The animated form Of their captive
only added speed to the fight Of Ca
briefs horse. Familiar expressions
some of them profanely strong. as
sured them that they had made no mis-
take in capturing the right man. 1t re
quired all of GabrieIs iron strength tC
hold the angry captive In place.
The mysterious change that heralds
the dawn found Gabriel, Jim Lewis
the Crane and Tim Lewis riding
through a narrow defile whose farther
end marked the line Of another state
Harry Barry. shaken into a more com
Portable posture. but his head and
shoulders still enveloped In the blan
ket, was permitted to ride White Star
while his friends with voices lowered
during their infrequenr converse man
aged to conceal their identity from
him.
When they were safely on another
territory they paused and gathered
into a semicircle about the prisoner