The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1912-12-13
RAW EVIDENCE
CONTINUED from preceding paee)

\'i"uea from preceding page.)
Goldy Strengthened up and the full
force Of his head and shoulder caught
the other in the face and chin. So
vlciously had he raised himself that
Chug was flung backward and fell
asprawl one hand dragging into the
hre's embers. He uttered howl of |
rage; but before he could regain his
feet, Colby held the patch of hide
and sprund into the saddle again, AL
glance at the raw evidence proved to |
him all that he had previously ex-
pected and as Chug scrambled up he
slapped him across the face with the |
damp skin.
my brand, you cattle theft" he
cried out. "I've caught you with the
goods at last! My brand, the Dia-
mond 6! You haven't seen a white
steer with twisted horns, nor a spotted
calf either. have your"
The other ponies were almost at the
camp. Their forms could be distin-
guished as moving shadows now.
Chug Smith uttered a howl or rage.
He was caught with the goods. As
Colby turned to ride away, he shouted:
MY horse, you horse theft Get him
boys! Hold him! Rope him! A
months pay to the man that ropes
him!"
A scuffle sounded in the dark as
the others tried to circle and head off
the running horse. Colby gave the
pinto vicious quirting now, the lash
falling without mercy, and he lunged
forward with the scramble of fright
ened horse. The nearest rider was
passed so close that Colby had to
sway aside to keep the mans hand
from his shirt; but in another instant
he had gone into the dark of the circle
beyond them.
"Rope him! Tie him up!" yelled
Chug Smith frantically.
Without further directions the four
cowboys pursued. Into the black they
raced. and the fugitive could hear the
pounding of their ponies feet. He
leaned forward and urged his horse
on. He had stuffed the piece of hide
into his shirt, and the dank touch of
it maddened him. All depended on
the borrowed horse now, and to be
sure of his mount he must keep ahead
of them. He knew that some men
would cirle and be ready to head him
if he turned. He wondered if he was
likely to meet any more of Chug' s
men.
"Wish had picked his best horse,
he gritted, as he brought the quirt
down on the one that he had selected
IF they get me I'll have to shoot, and
l don't want to do that. Those fellows
have nothing to do but to follow his
orders, the skunk! Wonder if thi:
pony'll stop when rope drops or
him? I'll bet he's range broke anC
that's what he'll do. Can't risk it
Their plugs are tired from day.
work, anyhow; but, Lordyl that fel
lows gettin' closer up"
He could hear the nearest mar
horses neck he crouched, hoping tc
steadily gaining on him. Close to tn.
avoid the rope if possible. Now HI
could hear the putting the of the on
coming beast. CHANGING behind, h
saw the lifting form of the ride,
against the bit of light that had conn
with the rise of the moon: He saw
the mans arm go up and imagined TIL
circling of the rope.
"He's a plug or he'd have slung j
before now" rnuttered Colby.
There sounded a slithering nois
past his ear. The tough rawhid'
touched his shoulder, slipped from !
to the horses flank, and dropped T.
the ground. Colby brought his quir
down in one terrific stroke, and hi
horse leaped like goat.
"By Christmasl You'd be hard t.
get on the range. old scout" he erie
! triumphantly; ''but you're the hors
for me tonight If you'd stopped, II
have been a goner. Go along"
Far on his right he coul. hea
, another pounding along, as if to turl
him back, and when he swung off t
the left he heard a third rider there
They were making good time TO
: faded ponies that had worked a da
among the cattle; but he felt that h
had the fresher horse, and the fac
that he had one touch of the rope I'll
led him with wild exultation, for tn
! pony never stopped. He reached be
hind him and loosened his gun.
Don't want to use il" he growle
. between his set teeth; but tha
right-hand man is drawing in. Il
may be a better rope artist than tn
other one too. I'd rather 60 to cour
2 and trust to evidence; but If you com
! on, dang you'll I'll do my best to Civ
bronze to the coyotes. Maybe she
/. would stop 'em: Rustlers arn't over
brave, anyhow"
" -..a1>A Ak~ rvsss. and GrAd int