The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-01-11


Well, I got the little CAT to open mp
the show with. :
William Stanley Winthrop. despite
his resolution, found that his hands
trembled and that his heart beat chok-
ingly. He wanted to shout. to run
out toward the horsemen. to do any
thing rather than sit stupidity silent BY
the water hole.
The two riders Hoped up. The con-
stable dismounted. 'Nothin' doin'." he
said, STOPPING to drink.
mo; nothing doingr' echoed the man
on horseback.
"That,'' muttered Overland Red.
suuirming little higher behind the
bushes. was intended for me. know
that tone. 1t means there's lot dom.
Well, I'm good and ready And ne
lifted both OF his red. hairy hands to
the edge of the hole. and both his
hands were filled"
About then the man on the pony be-
gan to ride out from the water hole IN
a wide circle. The constable came
from the spring Overland noticed
that he kept Winthrop between him.
self and the sage on the ridge. That
settles it." Overland swiftly conciud-
ed. They're on. I'm right sad to
have to do II"
The heavy, space blunted report OF
the circling horseman's gun, and over
land calmly spat out the sand that
fitted across his lips. The rider had
ventured a shot and had ridden behind
a ridge instantly.
Winthrop exclaimed at these strange
tactics.
"He seen a jack run In there. ex-
planned the constable, leering.
"This here's gettin' interestin',' mum
bled Overland as the constable I'M
holstered his gun and sauntered to-
ward the ridge. II got to get the gent
on the cayuse. The other one don't
count"
The rider had appeared from behind
the ridge. Slowly Overland raised MS
right hand. Then the old fighting soul
Of Jack Summers. sheriff of Abilene.
rebelled. .'No: Hanged II I'll ambush
any white man. And he leaped to
his feet. Overland Limited! he
shouted, and with his battlecry came
the quick tattoo of shots. The horse
man wavered. doubled up and pitched
forward to the sand.
Overland Red dropped and rolled to
one side as the constable's gun BOOM
ed Intellectually. The tramp lay still.
A clatter OF empty stirrups. the swish
Of horse galloping past, and silence.
Slowly the constable. approached
Overland's PROSTATE figure times
up for you!" he said. covering the
tramp with his gun.
"Wateri" groaned Overland.
water. Ell? Well. crawl to It, you
rati"
Winthrop, his heart humping wildly.
followed the constable. So this was
desert law7 No word of warning OF
inquiry, but hail Of shots, riderless
h0rse-two men stretched upon the
sand and the burning sun swinging In
a cloudless circle above the desolate
silence.
"you seem to kind of recognize your
friend now" sneered the constable.
That was too much for Winthrop's
overstrung nerves. His pulses roared
| in his ears. With leap he seized the
sonstable's gun and twisted at It with
| both hands. There was an explosion
and Winthrop grinned savagely. still
struggling With insape strength be
finally tore the gun from the others
grasp. You're the only coward in
this affair."" he gasped as he leveled the
gun ut the constable. That officer
reading danger in Winthrop's eye. dis
creetly threw up his hands.
"Good!' exclaimed Overland, sitting
up suddenly. .'-rhat was risky. but Il
worked out all right had better
plan. You go set down. Billy. I'll set
this gent safe toward home"
| Winthrop laughed Historically. why
you-you-you're a joker" he cried. q
thought"
| $50 did the little man with the pit
pan pinned on his shirt" said Over
land "You keep his gun. got to sc,
how bad the other gents hit"
| An hour later the constable Of tn
desert town led his pony toward th
railroad. On the pony was his com
panion, with both arms bandaged. FL
leaned forward brokenly. swaying an'
i cursing. 'I'h-get him IL 1t takes,
thousand yearsr' he muttered.
II reckon It'll take all Of that,
/ growled the constable. you can hav
oil you want OF his game. Saunders
I'm through"
| Ont by the water hole Overland turn
ed to Winthrop. I'm glad you en-
joyed the performance" he said. grin
ming. We've opened the pot. and til
best man rakes her down. She's deser
law from now to the finish"
| Continued IN neat weeA's Banner.