The state herald., 1914-02-27

II q batch of robbers is liable TO cost
him fifty dollars a day, and only
fetches fifty-one dollars day on the
contract, his mine is better money. so
he rolls his tail and takes away his
men. That's Iron Dale seven days In
the week.
He's right smart. too, at holding a
business meeting. 30 when I'd ate
cranberry pie. which is sort OF com.
pliment from the mine, and the boys
has some of Browns tea as donation
from me. the convention sits down
solemn to talk robbers.
Moved and seconded that hold.ups
amt encouraged in her majesty's do.
minions, and we hands these robbers
to the constable as his lawful meat,
but we got to get EN- first
Resolved that there's money in 1t.
The owners of them cattle had ought
to be grateful and show their graft
tude. cause otherwise the stock Is
apt to scatter. Proposed that we hit
the trail right away, with Iron Dale
for leader. Carried. with symptoms
OF toothache disabling one OF his men
Dale told off O'Flynn and Brans-
combe to stampede the cattle Just at
CLINT OF dawn. sending 'em past the
cave, and shooting and yelling as II
there was no hereafter. That should
interest the robbers, and bring them
out OF the cave which overlooks our
pasture. Looking down at a sharp
angle. they weren't likely to hit our
riders. whereas our posse, posted In
good cover with steady aim could
attend to the robbers with prompt
ness and despatch.
Crossing the ferry our main outfit
left Billy and Branscombe to start
drifting the cattle southwark, while
we rode on to take up our positions
around the cave. In the ruined shack.
halfway to our home. Kate was to
have candle, screened SO that It
could only be seen from our trail. We
passed my fence. we crossed the half.
mile creek. we gathered speed along
the open pasture. and then Kate's yell
went through me like a knife. The
robbers must have had man on night
herd, and found her by that light!
Dale's hand grabbed my rein. and
with a growl he halted our whole
outfit. STEADY" says he, you fool!"
Then in a whisper. as his men came
crowding in: "Dismount! Ransome,
hold horses! Sam. take three men
afoot round the rear OF that cabin.
take the rest to close in the front
Siwash. and Nitchie Scott. find enc
my's horses and drift them away out
OF reach. No man to whisper. no man
to make a sound. until l lift my hand
at that cabin window. After that. kill
any man who tries to escape. Get Il
move on!"
So, with me at his tall. he crept
along from cover to cover, waving
hand signals to throw his squad into
place. The enemy's five horses at the
door were led OF by Billys Siwash
arriero. and Nitchie Scott, SO gently
that the robbers thought they were
grazing. BY that time Dale and me
was at the window gap on the north
side OF the shack. but the candle was
In our way. we couldn't see through
Its glow. and 1t wasn't till we got
round to the door hole that we'd a
view OF what WAS going on inside.
My wife stood In the nor'west, right
far corner. A man with a gray chin
whisker and a mournful smile. with
his gun muzzle In her right ear. was
showing her head against the wall
Bull was talking as usual. explaining
how his tact was better'n Whiskets'
gun at persuading females. Ginger
was trying to assuage Bull. The
greaser was keeping u kind OF look
out. although he couldn't see from the
lighted room into the dark where he
was. Ginger clapped his paws over
Bulls mouth before the proceedings
went on.
Now" says Whiskers sadly. ARE
you goin' to scream any more7"
Kate's face was dead white with
rage. You cur" said she. II screamed
because my-you're hurting me, yon
brute! Leave on II you want to hear
one word from me, Leave on! That's
better. No. ! won't scream again"
The gun sight was tearing her ear
as she screwed her head around. look.
Ing him full In the eyes. III you do
me any HARM" she said. my hus.
bands friends won't let you on with
death. They'll burn you. Stand back.
you coward"
He ninched back Just II little, and |
saw his hand drawing slowly clear OF
her head
Get your horses" she cried out