The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-10-12
checked bis enthusiasm. or at least its

NHSSNSu Lho tiiltuoidSIi, VI dl iedSl IL
4 utterance.
:. "MacNelly, shake hands with Ches
eld!ne," said Duane, low voiced.
3 The ranger captain stood dumb, mo
tonless. But he saw Lonsstreth's in
) slant action, and awkwardly he rcache
for the outstretched hand.
Any of your men down here?
queried Duane, sharply.
mo. They're up town"
Come. MacNelly, you walk wit
him. We've ladies in the party. II
como behind with them"
They set off up town. Longstretl
walked as if he We're with friends OF
the way to dinner. The girls wer'
mute. MacNelly walked like a man il
a trance. There was not a word spok
en- in four blocks.
Presently Duane espied a ston,
building on a corner Of the broat
street. There was a big sign, Ranch.
er's Bank"
There's the hotel" said MacNelly
Some of my men are there. We've
scattered around"
Ifey crossel the street, went through
office and lobby, and then Duane asked
MacNeliy to talk them to a private
room. Without a word, the captain
complied. When they were all inside
Duane closed the door, and, drawing a
deep breath as il of relief, he faced
them calmly.
Miss Longstreth, you and Miss Ruth
try to make yourselves comfortable
now" he said. And don't be dis
tressed." Then he turned to his cap
tain. "MacNelly, this girl is the daugh-
ter of the man I've brought to you, and
this one is his niece
Then Duane briefly related Long
streth's story and, though he did not
spare the rustler chief, he was gener-
GUS.
When 1 went after Longstreth," con
GUIDED Duane 1T was either to kill him
or offer him freedom on conditions. So
chose the latter, for his daughters
sake. He has already disposed of all
ms property. l believe he'll live up to
the conditions. He's to leave Texas
never to return. The name C%heseldine
mas been a mystery, n now it'll fade"
A few moments later Duane followed
MacN to a large room, like a hall,
ana mere We're men reading and smok-
ing. Duane knew them-rangers!
MacNelly beckoned to his men.
Boys, here he is"
"How many men have you?" asked
Duane.
Fifteen"
MacNelly almost embraced Duane.
would probably have done so but for
the dark grimness that seemed to be
coming over the man. Instead he
glowed, he sputtered, he tried to talk,
TO wave his hands. He was beside him
SELF. and his rangers crowded closer,
eager, like hounds ready to run. They
all talked at once, and the word most
significant and frequent in their speech
was Outlaws
MacNelly clapped his fist in his hand.
"Thisll make the adjutant sick with
Joy. Maybe we won't have it on the
governors! Well show them about the
ranger service. Duane! how'd you ever
do it?"
Now, captain, not the half nor the
quarter of this Jobs done. The gangs
coming down the road. 1 saw them
from the train. They'll ride into town
on the dot-2:3O."
How many?" asked MacNelly.
"Poggin, Blossom Kane, Panhandle
Smith, Boldt. Jim Fletcher, and another
man | don't know. These are the picked
men of Cheseldine's gang. I'll bet they
VIII be the fastest, hardest bunch you
rangers ever faced"
"Poggin-that's the hard nut to
crack! I've heard their records since
I've been in Val Verde. Where's Knell?
blazes!"
"Knells dead"
"Ah!" exclaimed MacNelly, softly.
liner ne grew business like. cool, and
of harder aspect. Duane, It's your
game today. I'm only a ranger under
orders. We're all under your orders.
We've absolute faith in you. Make your
plan quick, so can go around and post
the boys who are not here"
You understand there's no sense in
trying to arrest Poggin, Kane, and
that lot?" queried Duane.
mo. I don't understand that" replied
MacNelly, bluntly.
1t can't be done. The drop can't
be got on such men. If you meet them,
they shoot, and mighty quick and
straight. Poggin! That outlaw has no
equal With a gun-unless- He's got
to be killed quick. They'll all have 70
pc killed. They're all bad, desperate,
know no fear, are lightning in action
Very well. Duane; then it's a fight.
Thatll be easier, perhaps. The boys
are spelling for a fight. Out with your
plan, now.
Put n man at each end Of this
street, just at the edge OF town. Let
him hide there with a rifle to block the
escape OF any outlaw that we might
fail to get. 4 had a good 100 at the
bank building. It's we'll situated for
our purpose. Put -four men up in that
room over the bank-four men, two at
each open window. Let them hide tin
the game begins. They want to be there
som case these foxy outlaws get wise
before they're down on the ground or
inside the bank. The rest Of your men
put inside behindthe counters, where
they'll hide. Now go over to the bank,
spring the thing IN the bank officials.
and don't let them shut up the bank.
You want their aid. Let them make
sure of their gold. But the clerks and
cashier ought to be at their desks or
window when lPoggin rides up. He'll.
glance In before he gets down. They
make no mistakes, these fellows. You
must be slicker than they are, or lose.
When you get the bank people wise,
your men oyer one by one. No
hurry, no excitement, no unusual thing
to attract notice In the bank
MI right. That's great. Tell me.
Where do You intend to waltz,
Duane heard MacNelly.s question and
y struck him peculiarly. He had seemed
TO be planning and speaking inechan-
As he was confronted by the
fact 1t n~onplussed him somewhat, and,
he became thoughtful. with lowered
head.
sWhere'll you wait2y insisted Mac.
Nelly. with keen Eyes Specializing.
I'll wait in front-just Inside the
door. replied Duane. with an effort.
why" demanded the captain.
Wen began Duane, slowly. Rog-
kan4Wul get down first and start In.
3 others won't be far behind.