Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-06-08

man like Stevens. Duane mounted and
rode to the edge of the mosquitoes.
He saw a cloud of dus down the road
ana a bay horse running fast. Stevens
apparently had not been wounded by
n of the shots, for he had a steady
seat in his saddle and his riding even
at that moment. struck Duane as adj
m1rable. He carried a large pack over
the pommel. and he kept looking back.
The shots had ceased, but the yells in
creased. Duane saw several men run
ming and waving their arms. Then he
spurred his horse n got into a swift
stride, SO Stevens would not pass him.
Presently the outlaw caught up with
him. Stevens was grinning, but there
was now no fun in the dancing eyes.
1t was a devil that danced in them. His
race seemed q shade paler.
Was jest comm out of the store
yelled Stevens. Run plumb into a
rancher-who knowed me. He opened
up with a rifle. Think they'll chase
u.s."
They covered several miles before
there We're any signs Of pursuit, and
when horsemen did nov into sight
u OF the cottonwoods Duane and his
companion steadily drew farther away.
N bosses in tibet bunch to worry
us" called out Stevens.
oudie Hdu tHe same COnVlCJlOn, ana
he did not look back again. He rode
somewhat to the fore, and was con-
stantly aware of the rapid %thudding of
hoofs behind as Stevens kept close to
him. AT sunset they reached the will
low brakes and the river. Duane's
horse was winded and dashed with
sweat and lather. 1t was not until
the crossing had been accomplished
that Duane halted to rest his animal.
Stevens was riding up the low, sandy
bank. He reeled in the saddle. With
an exclamation of surprise Duane
leaped off and ran to the outlaws side.
Stevens was pale and his face bore
beads Of sweat. The whole front Of
his shirt was soaked with blood.
You're shot" cried Duane.
Wal, WHOM hell said l wasn't?
Would o mind givin' me a lift-on
this here pack%"
Duane lifted the heavy pack down
and then helped Stevens to dismount.
The outlaw had a bloody foam on his
lips and he was splitting blood.
"Oh. why didn't you say so!" cried
Duane, II never thought. You seemed
all right"
wal, Luke Stevens may be as CAB
by as an old woman. but sometimes
he doesn't say anythin'. It wouldn't
have done no good"
Duane bade him sit down, removed
his shirt. and washed the blood from
his breast and back. Stevens had been
and the bullet had gone clear through
him. His ride, holding himself and
that heavy pack in the saddle, had
been a feat little short of marvellous.
Duane did not see how it had been
possible, and ne felt no hope for the
outlaw. But he plugged the wounds
and bound them tightly.
"Feller's name was Brown" Stevens
said. Me an him fell out over a boss
| stole from him over in Huntsville.
We had a shootin' scrape then. Wal,
as | was straddlin' my boss back there
in Mercer l seen this Brown, an seen
him before he seen me. Could have
killed him, too. But I wasn't breakin'
my word to you. l kind of hoped he
wouldn't spot me. But he did-an'
fust shot he got me here. What do you
think of this hole?"
Its pretty bad" replied Duane; and
he could not look the cheerful outlaw
in the eyes.
II reckon it is. Wal, I've had some
bad wounds I lived over. Guess mebbe
1 can stand this one. Now, Buck, get
me some place in the brakes, leave me
some grub an water at my hand, am
then you clear out"
Leave o here alone?" asked Du-
ane, sharply.
Shore. You see, l can't keep up
with you. Brown an his friends will
foller us acrost the river a ways.
You've got to think Of number one in
this game"
What would you do in my case?"
k Duane, ~curiously.
wal, l reckon I'd clear out an save
my hide replied Stevens.
Duane felt inclined to doubt the out
laws assertion. For his own part he
decided his conduct without further
speech. First he watered the horses,
filled canteens n water bag, and then
tied the pack upon his w horse.
horse, and, holding him in the saddle,
turned into the brakes, being careful
to pick out hard or grassy ground that
left little signs Of tracks. Just about
dark he ran across a trail that Stevens
said was a good one TO take into the
wild country.
Reckon we'd better keep right on
Stevens, with a laugh.
All that night Duane, gloomy and
thoughtful, attentive to the wounded
outlaw, walked the trial and never
halted till daybreak. He was tired and
very hungry. Stevens seemed in bad
shape, although he was still spirited
and cheerful. Duane made camp. The
W. 10 hoSN ASoAS u dShSu IOI. DOIH
whisky and water. Then he stretched
out.
Buck. will you take off my boots?"
he asked. with a faint smile on his
pallid face.
Duane removed them, wondering If
the outlaw had the thought that he did
not want to die with his boots on.
Stevens seemed to read his mind.
Buck, my old daddy used to say
tibet was born to be hanged. But I
wasn't-an' dyin' with your boots on Is
the next wust way to croak."
You've a chance to-to get over
this" said Duane.
shore. But l want to be correct
about the boots-an' say. yard, If I do
appreciatin' Of your kindness"
Then he closed his eyes and seemed
to sleep.
Duane could not find water for the
horses, but there was an abundance Of
dew wet grass upon which he hobbled
them. After that was done he pre-
pared himself a much needed meal.
The sun was getting warm when he
lay down to sleep, and when he awoke
it vas sinking in the west. Stevens