Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1913-11-18
that no one could force crippled mar

~~-~~ Az O4C S0ut0 IOfS0 - CIlVRAGu HAL
to run.
BY sJoye," he exclaimed, 'I'Tl do it!''
He crossed quickly to the bunk
house door and looked in. The room
was empty. The supper-bell pealed
out, and he heard the cow-men answer
it. Now was the appointed moment;
he might have no other. With cat-llke
tread he slipped into the sleeping
quarters, returning in q Momene With
revolver. He stared thankfully at
the weapon-better this than dishonor.
Why didn't think Of 1t before
It's perfectly simple. I'll accidentally
shoot myself-in the foot!"
But even as he gazed at the gun he
saw that the muzzle was as large as
gopher-hole. A bullet of that size
would sink ship. he meditated in a
panic, and as for his foot-wnat fright
full execution 1t would work! Butt
were better to lose a foot than a foot
race, under present conditions, go he
began to unlace his shoe Then real
izing the value of circumstantial evil
dence, be paused MOI His disability
must bear all the earmarks OF an acct.
dent. He must guess the location OF
his smallest and least important toe,
and trust the rest to his marksman-
ship. Visions OF blood-poisoning be-
set him, and when he pressed the
muzZie against the point of his shoe
his hand shook with such palsy that
h0 foopod ho i1h To u%a
himself with the thought that other
men had snuffed out life itself in this
manner, then sat down upon the floor
and cooked the weapon second time.
He wondered il the shock might, by
any chance, numb him into uncon-
seriousness. If so, he might bleed to
death before assistance arrived. But
he had nothing to do with that. The
only question was, which foot. He re-
garded them both tenderly. They
were nice feet, and had done him
many favors. He loved every toe;
they were almost like innocent chill
dren. 1t was dastardly deed to take
advantage of them thus, but-he ad-
vanced the revolver until it pressed
firmly against the outside of his left
foot, then closed his eyes, and called
upon his courage. There came a
great roaring In his ears.
How long he sat thus waiting for
the explosion he did not know, but
he opened his eyes at length to find
the foot still intact, and the muzzle
of the weapon pointing directly at his
instep. He altered his aim hurriedly.
when, without warning of any sort,
mans figure appeared silhouetted
against the window.
The figure dropped noiselessly to
the floor inside the room, and cried in
strange voice:
Lock those doors. Quick"
Finding that 1t was no hallucination,
Speed rose, calling out:
Who are your"
"Sh-h-h!" The stranger darted
across the room and bolted both
doors, while the other felta chill of
apprehension at these sinister precau-
tons. He grasped his revolver firmly
while his heart thumped. The fellows
appearance was anything but reassur-
ing: he was swarthy and sun-browned,
his clothes were ragged, his overalls
were patched; instead of coat, he
wore a loosely tapping vest over
black sateen shirt, long since rusted
out TO a nondescript brown
I've been trying to get to you for
week." announced the mysterious Wis
itor hoarsely.
"W-what do you want? Who are
your"
Pm Skinner, cook for the Cent?
pede"
The man | racer"
Not so loud" Skinner was strain
ing for the faintest sound from the di-
rection of the mess-house.
"Pll kill him!" exulted the Eastern
lad. But the other forestalled muir
der by running on. rapidly:
Listen, now Hump and l jobbed
this gang last month; we're PARTNERS,
see? He's got another race framed
at Pocatello, and | want to make a
getaway"
Yes! yes! y-you needn't stay here
on my account"
Now don't let's take any chances
tomorrow, see? We're both out for
the coin. What do you want to do
win or lose?" Skinner jumped back
20 the door and listened
"What?"
Don't STALL" the Stranger cried,
impatiently. ''Will l win or will you?
What's it WORTH He clipped his
words short, his eyes darted furtive
chances here and there.
Can 1 VIM" gasped Speed.
You can il there's enough in it for
me- i'm broke, see? You bet FIVE
hundred, and we'll cut it two ways"
IL haven't that much with me-"
Borrow it. Don't be boob. Meet
me m Albuquerque Sunday, and We'll
split there
is that all have to do?"
Certainly. What's the matter with
you, anyhow" Skinner cast suspi-
cious glance at his companion.
Il guess I'm rattled-it's all SO
sudden"