The Press., 1912-01-24
TheLaStChanCe It Led to Proof of True
 Friendship
 By SARAH MARIA GRANT
By SARAH MARIA GRANT

2. Copyright by American Press Asso- I ciation. 1911. I < ]. * j. < < l.
 A dirty looking Mexican had brought the roughly scrawled note to the Lone Bull ranch. It was at the edge of the evening, and the extended absence O1 light hearted Harry Barry had been 6 matter of comment among his com rades. His two weeks leave of ab sence had been stretched to three, and 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 O1 light when he had concluded.
 "It's 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.
 whats happened?" 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 a spot that was recognized throughout the adja- cent cattle country as place where the swift justice of the plains was meted out to offenders. Without a word the four arose and reached for their hats. In the same grim silence they strode 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 became of the greaser?" he asked suddenly.
 "'I forgot him. admitted Gabriel. "Did 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 dusted 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, he wasn't one to force gun play" added Jim Lewis seriously.
 eff Harry did drop his man it 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,
 
 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.
 It was Gabriel's eyes that first saw his horse with a sudden jerk and stopped the progress of the other men.
 "I got something to say" he nut tered hoarsely. 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's 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 ly reconnoitered. Presently he came back and spoke breathlessly.
 He's yonder-alone. White Star is 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 cram nies 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 3 dark bundle on the ground that Oreathed heavily.
 ''The young devil,'' groaned Gabriel to himself sleeping like that tonight!'
 In spite of the silent VOW that had been registered half hour before Harry Barry's friends moved as by one accord to accomplish set purpose.
 Quietly enough one unpicketed the horse White Star and, mounting his own beast, led the other. Another pulled a blanket from his saddle, and the other two assisted in tossing 1t over Harry Barry's head and bodily carrying that bundle of muff1ed threats and wriggIing muscles to Gabriel's mount, where Le 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 flight of Ga briefs horse. Familiar expressions, some of them profanely strong, as