The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-10-07

wagons and put up the fight that left |
every man and woman dead on the
field except that there last wagon you
are telling us about.
You see, pard," Red Kimball went
on, you are losing sight of the point.
Us fellows has been operating for some
years. but whatever We do is blamed
ON the Indians. That there is secret
that would ruin our business If it got
cut Tomorrow Il gang of white men
will be depredating in the WashitN
country to get revenge for taday's mas
sacre.''
Again Gledware protested that he
would never betray the band.
"Oh. cut this shortr' interposed Kan
sas Kimball. with an oath. Daylight
will catch us and nothing done if we
listen to that white livered spy. We
don't believe In that wagon he talks
about. and, as for this kid, he brought
her along just to save his bacon"
mo, as God livesw cried Gledware
Cant you see she is dead for sleepi
She was terrified out Of her wits all
day. and I've ridden with her all night
Don't kill her. men," He turned i'm
passioned eyes on the leader.
Right you are!' exclaimed the man
with the ferocious whiskers-he who
had been spoken of as Brick Wilcox.
you'll have to go. pard. but I'm
against killing infants"
The leader darted an angry glance
at the man who but for the untoward
arrival of Gledware would have won
| from him his share of the booty. But
| his voice was smooth and pleasant as
he resumed. "Yes. pard. the kid must
die
Brick Wilcox, with terrible oaths.
| again expressed himself as strongly
| opposed to this decision.
"Weve had enough of thisr' Red de-
| clared, his voice suddenly grown hard
and cold. kansas. take the prisoner.
Brick Wilcox, as you're so fond of the
kid, you can carry her." He opened
| the door, and a rush of wind eNtin-
guished the candle.
Red went outside and waited till his
brother had drawn forth the quivering
man and Brick Wilcox had carried
out the girl. Then he looked back into
the room. "You fellows can stay In
here" he said authoritatively. 'What
we've got to do amt any easier with q
lot of men standing about looking ON.
| Red closed the door on the scene and
turned to face the night. Gledware
had already been stationed with his
face toward the moon, and Kansas
Kimball was calmly examining his pis
tol. Between them and the horses
Brick Wilcox had come to a halt. the
little girl still sleeping in his powerful
arms Red scowled heavily. He ha(
not forgiven Wilcox for beating hin
ut cards. still less for his persisten
opposition to his wishes, and he nov
resolved that it should be Wilcox:
hand to deal the fatal blow. He hat
been troubled before tonight by insub
ordination on the part of this man o
bristling whiskers, this knave who's
voice was ever for mercy, if mere,
were possible.
As Kansas Kimball raised his weap
on to fire the man before him uttered
cry of terror and began to entreat TO
his life. Hold on, Kansas! inter
posed Red. There's not one of tn
bunch believes that story about til
; last wagon getting away, and the dy
ing wife. We know this Gledware is
| spy, whatever he says, and that h
brought the kid along for protection
He knew If we got back to No Man
Land we couldn't be touched, not bein
under no jurisdiction, and he wante
to find US with our paint and feather
off. Hes sneaking dog, and bu
|, let's too good for him. But'-with a
, oath-"blessed If he don't hate to di
worse than any man ever saw!
. don't mind to spare him few mil
utes if he's agreeable / put it to hil
, would he rather the kid be put 0,
Of the way first and him afterward.
!, does he want the first call?''
"For Gods sake, put it off as long 1
!. you will!" quavered the prisoner.
swear I'm no spy. swear
The captain of the highwaymen il
; terposed. "Just you say another wor
and I'll put daylight into you. with n
own hand Stand there and keep mur
: and I'll give you little breathil
space. Now, Brick Wilcox the lea
er spoke grimly, take your turn frs
e That kids got to die. and you are
|, do the trick and do it without any fot
ishnesS."
e II can't" Wilcox declared doggedl
. "Oh. yes; yes. you can, Brick. Y
d see. we can't tend to no infant elias
u and amt hard hearted enough to lea
# a five-year-old girl to die of hunger
$ the prairie nor do mean to take b
d to no town or stage station as ca
d for to be tracked by"
II "Red," exclaimed Wilcox despera
d iy, "I tell you fair. and tell you TO
is that this little one lives as long as
d To-
:. Red swiftly raised his arm and fir
q point blank at Willock's head as
10 was defined above the sleeping for
!? Though famed as an orator. Red I
,r derstood very well that at times
II ton is everything and there is des
IT in long speaking. He was noted as
% man who never missed his mark.