Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-09-23

Lucy louuu uEl SLlll awe. Without
paying any attention to John DORIS
men, who We're still doubtful of the
outcome of the battle, they dragged
their fallen leader away and up into
their W temporary camp.
1t was not long before Wilkerson re-
vived. He was terribly bruised and
almost insane from physical pain and
wild rage at his defeat. 1t was with
difficulty that the unsmiling outlaws
restrained him. Their chief took upon
himself the task Of making it plain to
Wilkerson that this was no time for
rashsand u~norganized attack.
"They have beaten us so far, senor,'
he said quietly, land you are very
sick. Tomorrow we shall see."
The next mornings sun had scarcely
touched the peaks of the mountains
when Wilkerson stretched his stiff,
sore limbs and began a fresh campaign.
He made it clear to the leader of the
Mexican outlaws that they must work
swiftly.
"It won't be long before the news of
this fighting gets out and the authori-
ties take a hand" he said. But if we
can just get this mine into our posses
sion in the next three days l can hire
you and your men as peaceable work
men and swear that Dorr and his gang
are trying to take our property away
by force. I guess my word will be as
good as his"
Every WELL" agreed the Mexican
after thoughtfully considering the mat
ter. eve can get back into Mexico in
twenty-feur hours from here. So long
as you pay us and let us-what do
you call it-loot. my men are with
you"
Wilkerson covertly studied the des-
perado's impassive visage. Jose Vigas
bore a renowned name on the border
for daring, shrewdness and wicked
ness. He was known as 1.-THE Merci-
less" For five years he had had a
price set on his head, yet because of
the loyalty Of his adherents and his
fearlessness he had escaped.
No man better fitted for a sinister
purpose could have been found. Yet
mingled with Wilkerson's satisfaction
at having such Il tool to his hand was
a dread of the man himself. and his
calm insistence on the privilege of loot
ing the camp when it was captured
gave him a sense of nausea
After all, they were Americans down
there in the Master Key" camp.
Through his binoculars he could see
Ruth on the porch of the bungalow.
"Vigas. too, saw her. He took no pains
to conceal the cruel interest in his eyes.
The next few days resulted in little
advantage to either side. John Dorr
could not reopen the mine nor even
send in for much needed supplies be-
cause of the constant menace of the
outlaws. who occasionally fired scat
terlng shots down into the gulch as Il
warning that they were vigilant.
On the other hand. Wilkerson found
1t impossible to seize the camp with
out preclpitating a battle. from which
he shrank. Deeply involved as he al
ready was i'll crime. he dreaded to
cross the border line which would for
+. ever place him beyond the pale and
make hinf an outlaw.
Instead. he used every method to
put himself outwardly in the right. He
sent plea after plea to the sheriff of
the county to come and restore order,
asserting that he had been driven from
MS rlghtful property by violence and
that the situation was such that. with
out interference from the authorities,
there would be serious trouble and
very likely bloodshed.
z ThaSa DlooS ocai]a1 ,pl1- ,,,+;oJlr
The sheriff made a trip into the mine,
talked with John Dorr and Tom Kane
and then sought out Wilkerson.
1T looks to me as if this was a case
for the COURTS" he said slowly when
he had examined Wilkerson's forged
deeds. 81 knew old Gallon pretty we'll.
and he thought q sight of that Ruth
girl. Fact is, he told me he intended
her to have the mine and left it to her
in his will. Now you toddle along
with these papers and want to take it
away from her"
Gallon n l were partners years
ago" Wilkerson insisted. 1--WE located
this mine together. and when l came
back he gave me over my share"
But you want it ALL" the sheriff
said obviously.
Sure; it's all mine," persisted the
other. Didn't Gallon use all the mon
ey he got out of 1t while l was away?
And when we came to a settlement he
found that the mine wouldn't pay half
he owed me-"
I'm simply Il peace officer" the
shsriff said finally. II don't know
who's In the right. That's for the
court to decide"