Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-01-23


duel. This mutual man hunt must
keep up until one got the other. And
II one neglected chance to get the
other that increased the others chance
to get him. There could be no false
sentiment about 1t. Tudor had been a
cunning devil when he proposed this
sort of duel. Sheldon concluded, as he
began to work along cautiously In the
direction of the last shot.
When he arrived at the spot Tudor
was gone. and only his footprints re-
manned. pointing out the course he had
taken into the depths. of the planta.
ton. Once. ten minutes later, he
caught glimpse of Tudor, hundred
yards away. crossing the same avenue
as himself, but going in the opposite
direction. His rife half leaped to his
shoulder. but the other was gone
More in whim than in hope OF result.
grinning to himself as he did so, Shell
don raised his automatic pistol and
In two seconds sent eight shots scat
tering through the trees in the direc-
ton in which Tudor had disappeared
Wishing he had a shotgun. Sheldon
dropped TO the ground behind tree.
slipped fresh clip up the hollow butt
Of the pistol. threw cartridge into
the chamber. showed the safety catch
into place and reloaded the empty clip.
1t was but a short time after that
fh0f TtIdn 1od vi
him, the bullets pattering about him
like spiteful rain. thudding into the
palm trunks or glancing of in whining
ricochets. The last bullet of all. max
ing a double ricochet from two diff
ferent trees and losing most Of its mo-
mentum. struck Sheldon a sharp blow
on the forehead and dropped at his
feet. He was partly stunned for the
moment, but on investigation found no
greater harm than a nasty lump that
soon rose to the size of pigeons egg.
Tiring of the endless circling. Shell
don tried once more to advance direct
" on bis foe. but the latter was too
crafty. taking advantage Of his bold
ness to fire a couple of shots at him
and slipping away on some changed
and continually changing course. For
an hour they lodged and turned and
twisted back and forth and around an6
hunted each other among the orderly
palms. They caught 6eetlng glimpses
Of each other and CHANGED flying shots
which were without result On a
grassy shelter behind a tree Sheldon
came upon where Tudor had rested
and smoked cigarette. The pressed
grass showed where be had sat At
one side lay the cigarette stump and
the charred match which had lighted
IT, In front lay a scattering OF bright
metallic fragments. Sheldon recog-
nized their significance. Tudor was
notching his steel jacketed bullets OF
cutting them blunt. so that they wouN
spread on striking-in short, he was
making them into the vicious dumdum
prohibited In modern warfare. Shell
don knew now what would happen TO
him II bullet struck his body. 1t
would leave u tiny hole where 1t en-
tered. but the hole where II emerged
would be the size OF saucer.
He deridPd to give up the pursuit
and lay down in the grass, protected
right and left by the row OF palms.
with on either hand. the long avenue
extending. This be could watch. Tu-
dor would have TO come to him or else
there would be no termination OF the
affair. He wiped the sweat from his
face and tied the handkerchief around
his neck 10 keep OF the stinging gnats
that lurked In the grass. Never had
he felt so great disgust for the thing
called adventure" Joan had been
bad enough with her Baden-Powell and
long barreled Colts. but here was this
newcomer. also looking for adventure
and finding 1t In no other way than by
Juggling peace loving planter into an
absurd and preposterous oushwhack
ing duet II ever adventure was wei
damned II was by Sheldon. sweaun'
in the windless grass and hghuns
gnats. the while be kept close watch
I'D and down the avenue.
Then Tudor came. Sheldon nap
pened to be looking in his direction
at the moment be came into view
peering quickly up and down the ave
nue. before he stepped into the open
Midway he stopped. as II debating
what course to pursue. BE made a
splendid mark. facing bis concealed
enemy at 100 yards distance. shei'
don aimed at the center OF his chest
then deliberately shifted the ain
70 his right shoulder. and. with tnt
thought, THAT viii put nim out oi
business" pulled the trigger The Dul
let. driving with momentum suthcien'
70 perforate a mans body a mile Oils
tant. struck Tudor With such forc'
as to pivot him. whiriing him nail
around By the shock Of its impact and
knocking him down.
"Hope / haven't killed the oeggar'
Sheldon murtered aloud. spHnging q
his feet and running forward
A hundred feet away all anxiety o.
thar score was relieved BY Tudor. wit
made shift with bis left hand and
-, HE automatic pistol hurled q rain