The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-10-12

2hdCANSllJp 5Ildho uduuS Villa SNlc6-
eldine," said Duane. low voiced.
The ranger captain stood dumb, mo-
tionless. But he saw Longstreth's in
slant action, and awkwardly he reached
for the outstretched hand.
ANY OF your men down here?'
qucried Duane. sharply.
mo. They're up town"
Come. MacNelly, you walk with
him. We've ladies' in the party. I'll
come behind with them"
They set Off up town. Longstreth
walked as II he were with friends on
the way to dinner. The girls were
tntlte. MacNelly walked like @ man In
a trance. There was not q word spok-
en- in four blocks.
Presently Duane espied a stone
building on q corne Of the broad
er's Bank"
There's the hotel" said MacNelly,
Some Of my men are there. We've
scattered around"
They crossed the street. went through
office and lobby. and then Duane asked
MacNelly to take them to a private
room. without a wcrd. the captain
complied. When they were all inside.
Duane closed the door, and, drawing a
deep breath BIS II 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 10 the daugh-
this n 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 I went after Longstreth." con-
cluded Duane. 1T was either to kill him
or offer him freedom on conditions. So
I chose the latter. for his daughters
sake. He has already disposed Of all
his property. I believe he'll live up to
the conditions. He's to leave Texas
never to return. The name C~heseldine
has been a mystery, n now It'll fade"
| A few moments later Duane followed
MacNelly to q large room, like q hall.
and here were men reading and smok-
ing. Duane knew them-rangers!
MacNelly beckoned to his men.
Boys, here he Is"
How many men have your" 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.
"This'n make the adjutant sick with
! joy. Maybe we won't have 1t on the
governors! Well show them about the
ranger service. Duane! how'd you ever
do it?"
Now, captain, not the half nor the
coming down the road. / saw them
from the train. They'll ride into town
on the dot-2:30."
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
will be the fastest. hardest bunch you
rangers ever faced" .
"Poggin-that's the hard nut to
cracki Nv heard their records since
I've been In Val Verde. Where's Knell Z
They say he's a boy, but hell and
blazes!" & o
"Knelrs dead" .
"Ahi" exclaimed MacNelly, softly.
Then he grew business like. cool. and
Of harder aspect. Duane, it's your
6oAAAS toeAys hl III - hAl6 ulluCI
orders. We're all under your orders.
We've absolute faith In you. Make your
plan quick, so / a. 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.
"No. / don't understand that" replied
MacNelly, bluntly.
TT can't be done. The drop can't
be got on such men. II 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 TO
be killed. They're all bad. desperate,
know no fear. are lightning in action"
That'l be easier, perhaps. The boys
are spelling for a fight. Out with your
plan, now"
"Put one 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. I had a good look at the
bank building. It's well situated for
our purpose. Put four men up In that
room over the bank-four men, two at
each open window. Let them hide till
the game begins. They wan to be there
so in case these foxy outlaws get wise
before they're down on the ground or
INSIDE the Dank. Inc rest OF your men
put inside behind the counters, where
they'll hide. Now go over to the bank,
spring the thing on 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 Poggin 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,
send your men over one by one. No
hurry, no excitement, no unusual thing
to attract notice in the bank"
"All right. That's great. Tell me,
where do you intend to waltz"
Duane heard MacNelly's question and
1t struck him peculiarly. He had seemed
to be planning and speaking meohan-
ically. AS he was confronted by the
fact 1t nonplussed him somewhat, and
he became thoughtful. with lowered
head. s e.. H. .sa
"WhereIl you waltz" insisted Mac
Nelly, with keen eyes specializing.
"Tll wait in front-just inside the
door," replied Duane, with an effort.
'"Why?" demanded the captain.