The Washington herald., 1915-11-28
'|k,{[>
w
|1IAA

4 wafer from tne creek ne made shall
low excavation and buried the trap. and
then smoothed the surface above 1t and
left two or three pieces of meat lying
about. The first one to come to the creek
after water must step into the strong
jaws.
II was cruel, wicked thing to do.
No one but a villain would have
thought of such plan. Mother or SON
whichever was caught in the trap, would
be a sufferer for months. if not crippled
for life.
That night as the SINNERS slept sound
ly and Carter prepared to work them in
jury. in the town fifteen miles away
VIGOROUSLY bad man entered a gambling
house. and with pistol in either hand
held up the place and got out and on
TO his horse with about $4,000 in his
possession. OF course he was pursued
as soon as his victims could find horses
but he had good start, and they lost
| his trail. After few miles the rob
bers horse went lame. Another mile or
SO and he had to abandon the animal
On foot be kept on. looking for a hidina
place. BY and by he came to a creek.
Along its banks were wild plum trees.
but not enough to give him the shelter
he wanted. He followed the creek uu
and up, and finally on the opposite hank
he saw a refuge. He must ind a shall
low spot to cross, and he found 1t lust
opposite to where the path came down
from the SINNERS homo.
Daylight was just breaking, and a
mist was rising from the earth as
Joey Skinner turned out of bed to
begin the day. The first thing to b.
done was TO fetch a pail of fresh
water Tor his mothers use in prepar-
ing breakfast Then it would be his
duty to feed the livestock betor.
eating his own meal With water pail
in hand he went stepping noiseIessIy
down the path in his bare feet. the
mist SO thick that he could not see
objects ten feet away. The man look
ing for the hiding place had made
out the dark bulk of the grove be-
fore the mist had thickened, as IL
always does just before the sun is to
rise to dissipats it. Then he made a
slow and careful fording Of the
creek
The robber stood at the bank for
few seconds listening, and then he
left the water and stepped square into
the waiting wolf-trap. Up came the
steel jaws with their rows of wicked
teeth. and he was caught fast lust
above the right knee. A tiger could
not have bitten harder The teeth
went right to the bone.
Help. Help" screamed the robber
in his agony.
Joey turned in his tracks and ran
for the house. while further calls pur-
sued him.
It's some one drowning in the
creek" cried his mother as she met
him at the door. What are you
afraid Of to run away? Come along
back"
The man with his leg in the trap
was now lying down and moaning.
and nearby were the saddle bags
holding the money that he had taken
from the gamblers and carried over
his shoulders after being obliged to
abandon his horse. The mist began
to clear, and now the SINNERS could
see that the stranger was held fast
in big steel trap. How did he come
there? What was his errand? Who
had set the trap?
You must help me out of thism
groaned the man as he became aware
Of the presence of mother and son.
Who are your" the mother asked.
Il own the Berry Ranch, about
twenty miles away. 1 was looking for
lost stock when my horse stepped
into a gopher hole and broke his leg,
You people ought to be arrested for
setting trap on a public path.
may never be able to walk with this
leg again"
Mrs. Skinner doubted the mans word.
He looked tough and wicked. In his
fall and writing around he had shaken
both Of his revolvers from the holsters.
and she stepped forward and moved them
put OF his reach. He saw that she mis-
trusted him. and seeking to soften his
voice he offered her five hundred dollars
10 release him She and Joey were
strong enough to spring the jaws OF the
head the man offered a thousand-thres
thousand. He finally told
ler TO take all the money in the bags.
Joey" she said determinedly, as she
;alled the boy aside. we have got a
lad man here. and he must not escape.
Take one of the horses and ride to town
or help. and I'll watch until you come
,ack"
Before noon the boy was back and
dozen men were with him. The rob-
'er had cursed himself hoarse, and suf-
cred so much pain that he was half un-
onscious. He was a man for whom
ewards footing up $4,000 had been Of
cred, and though caught in a trap set by
mother II was decided that the reward
hould go to the SINNERS. The question
who set the trap. and why. came I'D.
ut when the men rode over to Carriers
0 question him they found him gone.
lie had mounted a horse and fed, and
e never came back
What was Plum Tree Ranch thirty
ears ago is a lively village now, and
mong the weslthiest of its Inhabitants
re Joey Skinner and his old mother.
'ho Is also the grandmother to two
nildren.
Downright. By the Associated Liter.ry Pr,al