The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-09-06

"e "i'e' en IKE nest or angry hOr-
nets. while Donnelly. with bis reins
between his teeth, was blazing away
at three reds who were right at Bar.
rett's heels as he ran for his horse.
Martin was lashlng his Jumping cayuse
away from the mob, which sputtered
and spit angry shots after him. Bucks
were running here and there and hasti-
~ mounting their ponies, while an an
cry roar came 10 me, punctuated by
the popping OF the guns.
Hollis and l reached the river and
swan 1t half mile ahead OF the 9th
ers and their yelling bunch Of trail
ers, so we were able to protect 'em IN
their crossing.
could see from their actions that
Bennett and Martin was both hurt.
and judged the deal hadn't PANIED
out exactly according 10 specifications
The Crows didn't attempt TO cross
In the teeth OF our fire, however, being
satisfied with what they'd done, and
the horses safely brought our three
comrades dripping up the bank to
where we lay taking pot shots at every
bunch OF feathers that approached the
opposite bank.
We got Barrett's arm into a sling,
and as Martins hurt wasn't serious
We lost no time In getting away.
They simply beat us to It," com
planned Barrett as we rode south
"You all had jest started when young
Long Hair grabs the sack and ducks
through the crowd, and the whole
bunch turns loose on us at once We
wasn't expecting anything so early in
the game, and they winged me the
first clatter | thought sure IL was of
with me when l got this bullet in the
shoulder, but ! used the gun In my
left hand and broke for the nearest
pony"
"They got me, too, before l saw
what was up" added Martin, 'but !
tore out Of there like a jack rabbit 1t
was all done so cussed quick that the
first thing | knew I'd straddled my
horse and was making tracks. Who'd
"a thought them burned Indians was
dishonest enough fer trick like
thatY'
Then Donnelly spoke up and says:
"Boys, as fur as the coin goes we're,
out and injured. We jest made a
Mexican stand off'-lost our money
but saved our lives-and mighty lucky
Mt that from appearances. What
want TO know now is how we're all
going TO get home, clean across the
state OF Texas, without a dollar In the
outfit and no assets but our guns and
the nags."
That was a sure tough proposition,
and we had left II teetotally out Of
calculations We'd bet every bean on
that rnce not seeing how we could
lose. In them days there wasn't
railroad In that section, ranches were
scattering, and people weren't giving
pink teas TO every stranger that rode
up, especially when they were as hard
looking as we were.
We've got 10 eat, and SOS the
horses" says Hollis. "but no rancher is
going to welcome with open arms as
disreputable an outfit as we are-two
men shot up and the rest of us with
out bedding, grub, money or explana-
tions Them's what we need-expla-
nations. j don't exactly see how we're
going TO explain our fix to the hon
est hay diggers either. Everybody III
think some sheriff is after us, and two
to one they'll put some officer on our
trail, and Wen have more trouble. l
believe I've had all want for awhile"
I'm tell you how wen work IT,"
says. Zone OF us II be the sheriff Of
Guadalupe county, back home, with
three deputies, bringing back prison
er that we've chased across the state.
Well ride up to ranch and demand
lodging for ourselves and prisoner In
tho name Of the state OF Texas and
say that Wen pay with vouchers on
the county In the morning"
mo, sir; not fer mel" says Martin.
"I'm not going IN fer forgery. It's all
right 20 practice n little mild deception
on orr red brothers, as we figgered on
doing, but I'm not going 10 try to lllm-
fam the state OF Texas. Our troubles
would only be starting II we began
that game"
Your plans all right, kiu, says
Bennett TO me. lyon be the terrible
desperate that I'm bringing home aft
or a bloody fight where you wounded
Martin and me and most escaped
You'll have every rancher's wife CIV
Ing you flowers and weeping over your
youth and kissing you goodby. In the
morning, when we're ready TO go and
I'm about TO tx up the vouchers for
our host, you break away and ride
like the devil Wen all tear OF few
shots and foller In hurry. leaving
the farmer hoping that the villain Is
recaptured and the girls tearfnlly
praying that the gallant and misguided
youth escapes"
IL seemed 10 be about our only re
sort, as the country was full Of bad
men, and we were liable to get turned
down cold IL we didn't have some stO.