The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1914-05-08
that no one could force crippled n

that no one could force crippled man
to run.
"By Jove," he exclaimed, 'Ill 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-lke
tread he slipped into the sleeping
quarters, returning in moment with
revolver He stared thankfully at
the weapon-better this than dishonor.
"Why didn't I think of it 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
a 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 it would work! Butt
were better to lose foot than foot
race, under present conditions, SO he
began to unlace his shoe. Then real
izing the value of circumstantial evil
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 second time.
He wondered if the shock might, by
any chance, numb him into uncon-
sciousness. 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 a 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
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
a strange voice: -
LOCK those doors! Quick!" ~
Finding that it was no hallucination,
Speed rose, calling out:
"Who are you?"
/ "Sh-h-h The stranger. darted
across the room. and bolted both
doors, while the other felt chill Of
| apprehension at these sinister precau-
| tons. He grasped his revolver firmly
| while his heart thumped. The fellows
appearance was anything but reassdr-
ing: he was swarthy and sun-browned,
his clothes were ragged, his overalls
were patched; instead of coat, he
wore loosely Tapping vest oversa
black sateen shirt, long since rusted
out to a nondescript brown. n
1--WE been trying to get to you for e
week." announced the mysterious Wis
| itor hoarsely. s9e 30 s6,ks4 So
"W-what do you want? Who are
your" -
I'm Skinner, cook for the Cent?
| pede" g e g
The man racer s=esa=-s=.=s
mot so loud" Skinner was strain
| Ing for the faintest sound from the sdis
rection of the mess-house.
% 'I'll kill him!" exulted the Eastern
lad. But the other forestaIled a MUIR
der by running on, rapidly:
[ Listen, now!E Hump and Isjobbed
this gang last month; we're partners,
see? He's got another race framed
at Pocatello, and l want to make q
getaway" III
Eyes! yes! y-you needn't stay here
on my account" As
] Nov don't let's take any chances
tomorrow, zee? We're both out for
the coin. What do you want to do
win or loser" Skinner jumped back
to the door and listened. aSsg Il
"What?" III
Don't STALL" the Stranger cried,
impatiently. will | win or will you?
tWhat's Il worth ." Z HAss clipped hia
words short. his eyes darted furtive
glances here and there ~ il
| "Can VIM" gasped Speed III
You can II there's enough In it fol
4 me I'm broke see? You bet ave
hundred, and we'll cut 1t two ways
Il haven't that much with me-
Borrow y. Don't be boob. Meet
\ me in A1buQuerque Sunday. and wen
split there. - 2S azp &sz5& & gs
> lis that all have TO dot" ia
Certainly w at's the matter with
Yen, anyhow ?' Skinner cast q susu.
cious glance at his companion. ~