Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-06-05

by Jove," he exclaimed, "I'll do til"
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
1t. Now was the appointed moment;
ne might have no other. With cat-like
tread he slipped into the sleeping
quarters, returning in a moment with
a revolver. He stared thankfully at
the weapon-better this than dishonor.
why didn't l 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 a ship, he meditated in a
panic, and as for his foot-what fright
full execution 1t would work. Butt
were better to lose foot than a foot
race, under present conditions, SO he
began to unlace his shoe. Then real
izing the value Of circumstantial evi.
dence, he paused. No! His disability
must bear all the earmarks of an acci.
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
muzzle against the point OF his shoe
his hand shook with such palsy that
he feared he might miss. He steeled
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 a second time.
He wondered II the shock might, by
any chance, numb him into uncon.
seriousness. II 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 1t pressed
firmly against the outside OF his left
foot, then closed his eyes, and called
upon his courage. There came 4
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, a
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 felt a chill OF
apprehension at these sinister precau.
tions. 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 we're ragged, his overalls
we're patched; instead OF a coat, he
wore loosely tapping vest over a
black sateen shirt, long since rusted
out to a nondescript brown.
1--WE been trying to get to you for a
week." announced the mysterious Wis
ltor hoarsely.
"w.what do you want1 Who are
your"
I'm Skinner. cook for the Cent?
pede."
The man racer"
Not so loud" Skinner was strain.
ing for the faintest sound from the d.
rection OF the mess.house.
"I'll kill hlml" exulted the Eastern
lad But the other forestalled n mur.
der by running on. rapidly:
Listen, nowl Hump and jobbed
this gang last month; we're pardners,
see? He's got another race framed
at Pocatello, and want to make
getaway"
"Yes! yes! y-you needn't stay here
on my account"
Now don't let's take any chances
tomorrow, sect We're both out for
the coin. What do you want to do
win or Loser" Skinner jumped back
to the door and listened.
"What?"
Don't stalll" the Stranger cried,
impatiently. "will win or will you?
What's II WORTH" He clipped his
words short, his eyes darted furtive
glances here and there.
Can win?" gasped Speed.
"You can II there's enough in Il for
me. I'm broke. sect You bet FIVE
hundred, and wen cut II two ways"
IL haven't that much with me-"
Borrow II. Don't be boob. Meet
me In Albuquerque Sunday. and well
split there"
"Is that all have TO do7"
Certainly. What's the matter with
you, anyhow" Skinner cast q suspl.
cious glance at his. companion.
IL guess I'm rattled--it's all 90
] sudden