Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-12-04

Billy Jerked up his relns, ana caugn'
his rifle with the other hand.
Ahead In the road stood a man, cow
ering him with gun. He had not ever
taken the trouble to mask his face
At the right, a little higher up, another
man waited, and on ahead in the road
third sat on horseback. 1t was a
formidable layout. Billy saw that in
stantly. II one didn't get him the
others would.
For a breathless second his quick
brain turned the situation on every
side. His dreams scattered like wind
blown snow. There was not ghost
of chance. He was as good as gone
II he resisted. He started to lay down
the ribbons and lift his hands. And
Just then a very strange thing hap
pened.
Across his mind came the terms Of
his pledge to the government.
According to the lines of his mouth
Billy was creature of whim. Now,
he hesitated, and food Of unaccus.
toned sensations passed over him,
He was responsible for that box. He
suddenly remembered what had not
bothered him before, that he was In
vested with the majesty of the law.
A feeling Of responsibility fell upon
him, novel In its strangeness, and
quick as thought he had taken his
course. dropping forward on the box
he caught the lines between his knees
yelled to the horses, and jerked his
rifle to his shoulder. The leaders
sprang forward.
At the second Jump the off leader
went down. With the lurch OF the
sudden stop, Billy landed in hear
between the wheelers. He was on his
knees instantly and firing under Black
Toms quivering flank
The man in the road located him in
a second, and dropping to one knee
began searching for him with hot
lead. The two others withheld theil
IRE. They had plenty of time, ant
evidently expected the leader to do fol
Billy easily.
But a ramping devil danced in tht
yellow-gray eyes, and all the blood II
the slight body was up. Billy leaned
a little lower, bringing his face full II
view Of the man in the road, aimee
coolly among the dancing horses ant
got his man. The fellow shot to hi,
feet, fired a wild ball, and dropped like
lead.
The near wheeler was down, bleed
Ing from dozen holes and crying
piteously. That sound rent Billy's
soul, for he loved horse. He spranl
to his feet as the two other des
peradoes closed in.
Come on. you dirty devils!" HI
cried. standing in the open between
the horses.
AS he spoke, a thrill OF fire ran VI
his arm and red ribbon waved sud
denly down his shoulder. But nothing
short Of death itself could hav,
stopped him now. Give and take, Civ,
and take, It was an uneven game o
two to one. The man on the horse dis
mounted and used the horse as {
shield. working closer. firing arount
II.
Billy threw down his repeating
and fell back on the two guns at hi
hips. The range was grimly near.
lie felt no fear, neither pity for tn
heap In the road ahead, only fur.
that steadied his hand.
This was a fine ending to hi
dreams. but somehow he would no
have II otherwise. He was consclou
of weird. fierce Joy. as Of something
he had read about. the Joy OF men OF
fields of honor, of heroes dying 70
their country. The whimsical moutl
quivered even as he fired.
But the Fates stood near, as the,
always do when strange issue is q
stake. The fellow on the hillside
reaching for a revolver in his belt
never drew II. Instead. he threw N
his empty hand. and whirled rollin
down the rocks.
Billy whooped and turned full &c
ward the last.
"NoWl" he cried. nov! An eve
break" ~ s'--.,l. ;rsss~
With one hand he loosened tn
traces OF Black Tom. shooting wit
the other. II was feat to get tn
horse unlocked in front. but a YER
spirit OF daring seemed to dominat
him. He was hit again In the process
!, but managed to mount. The bi
, wheeler. thoroughly terrified, leape
ahead.
Billy guided him straight at III
horse In the road and they cannone
into II with mighty force. It stumble
aside, broke away. and left It's rid,
! under Black Toms feet. The latt,
= threw his empty gun at Billy's hea
, The fight was over.
= There was sudden silence, and I
movement. Then Billy turned TO Il
last OF the stage robbers. who stoC
dehantly.
3 Get out" he said abruptly, two
enough. Catch your horse and CO."
l. At half past Ave that day, the driv
d OF the Dead Horse stage rode in
e town with the box of gold from q
II Couger mine across Black Tom
d withers. and with blood on his shii