Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-11-04

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 a secret
that would ruin our business if it got
out. Tomorrow Il gang Of white men
will be %depredating in the Washita
country to get revenge for today's mas
sacre."
Again Gledware protested that he
would never betray the band.
"Oh, cut this short!" %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 SAY his bacon"
mo, as God lives.," cried Gledware.
Cant you see she is dead for sleep?
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 so, 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, Eyes, pard, the kid must
die
Brick Wilcox, with terrible oaths,
again expressed himself as strongly
opposed to this decision.
We've had enough of this!' 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 extin-
| 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
ucle, uC Sdlu duluOllldCFelS. WudC
we've got to do amt any easier with a
lot of men standing about looking IN"
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-
toll. Between them and the horses
Brick Wilcox had come to q halt, the
little girl still sleeping in his powerful
arms. Red scowled heavily. He had
not forgiven Wilcox for beating him
at cards, still less for his persistent
opposition to his wishes, and he now
resolved that it should be Willock's
hand to deal the fatal blow. He had
been troubled before tonight by insub-
ordination on the part of this mar Of
bristling whiskers, this knave whose
voice was ever for mercy, If mercy
were possible.
AS Kansas Kimball raised his weap-
on to fire the man before him uttered a
cry Of terror and began to entreat for
his life. Hold IN, Kansas!" inter-
posed Red. There's not q one Of the
bunch believes that story about the
last wagon getting away and the dy-
ing wife. We know this Gledware is a
spy, whatever he says, and that he
brought the kid along for protection.
He knew if we got back to No Mans
Land we couldn't be touched, not being
under 10 jurisdiction, and he wanted
to find us with our paint and feathers
off. He's a sneaking dog, and a bull
let's too good for him. But"-with an
oath-"blessed if he don't hate to die
worse than any man ever I saw! L
don't mind to spare him a few min
utes if he's agreeable. l put it to him
would he rather the kid be put out
of the way first and him afterward, or
does he want the first call?"
"For Gods sake, put it off as long as
you will" quavered the prisoner. II
swear I'm no spy. I swear
The captain Of the highwaymen in.
terposed. Just you say another word,
and I'll put daylight into you with my
W hand. Stand there and keep mum,
and I'll give you a little breathing
space. Now, Brick Wilcox" the lead
er spoke grimly, take your turn first.
That kids got to die, and you are to
do the trick and do it without any fool
iShness."
81 can't" Wilcox declared doggedly.
"Oh, yes; yes, you cam, Brick. You
see. We can't tend to no infant class,
and 1 amt hard hearted enough to leave
a f~ive-year-old girl to die of hunger on
the prairie, nor do l mean to take her
to nc town or stage station as a card
for to be tracked by"
Red" exclaimed Wilcox desperate
ly, 81 tell you fair, and 1 tell you foul,
that this little one lives as long as I
DO"
Red swiftly raised his arm and fired
point blank at Willock's head as it
was defined above the sleeping form.
Though famed as an orator, Red I'M
derstood very well that ut times &C.
ton is everything and there is death
In long speaking. He was noted as a
man who never missed his mark.