Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-05

And from the right another rider.
this one kept dry by trailing slieker.
slowing his horse 20 Il walk just as
he came into range of Hardy's win
dow Even though he was protected,
thai man bowed before the elements.
holding his head low agains the gusty
wind.
The man who trotted down the open
space swung into The street before the
bank and approached the second rider
with no sign of recognition.
Again a horseman- sounds of one
first. for he storned across the base
OF the triangle at slashing gallop
high in his stirrups, holding his horse
well in hand and raking cruelty with
his spurs mud flew from the animals
hoofs: the wide brlm of the mans
liahtcolored hat was plastered across
his eyes BY the wind
He swept into sight, and Hardy took
down The foot that had rested on the
window-sill. He leaned forward.
The man who had first appeared was
off his horse in the mud, his bride
reins around the saddlehorn Of the
one who wore the slicker-the man
who had drawn from him no sign OF
recognition when they met
The third horseman rode straight
at the others, full till, "a though to
trample them; then with Il wrench and
a heave he set his running horse
sliding on its hind quarters. swung his
weight TO the stirrup. and dropped in
to the mire
Liehtninglike ii all was, and with Il
bound Hardy's pulses struck a faster
measure.
Now the man in the slicker, still
mounted. was holding the other two
horses. More, he had lifted his coat
and with a quick tug yanked out a
rifle.
The one who had first come into
sight sprang toward him, seized the
weapon, and whitfield with the agility
of one who turns to answer blow
from behind; he poised 50 an instant,
then made his way catlike back TO The
corner of the triangle. point from
which he could see all three rows Of
buildings.
And before he had made that quick
turn the others were yisibly armed:
he who held the horses kept his sad
die one hand held high with the line
ers gripping heavy revolver.
The third hat pushed back. soaked
coat open. pulled ponderously at the
holster over each hip,a he took the
first step toward the bank front, and
The hands came free, heavy with
weapons.
Ellis Hardy's mind was in swirl
1t had been an inconsequential period
Of time since the first rider appeared
in that shivering. eventless, deserted
town, and yet there he was, with
two others, and one Of them strobe
through the mud, swiftly, ominously,
crouching a trfle, eyes on the win
dows of the little bank, while his
companions, guns ready. watched the
streets!
They were strangely isolated. those
three. and perhaps the fact accentuat-
ed the fearful purpose which was pro
claimed by their very postures, and
TO the young physician IT seemed as
though he alone Of all the world were
there to watch--as though those three
and he were deserted. set far off rom
society
And in a flash The significance of
it all sho, through him, and for an
instant he felt real lear--the fear that
had grippod Kiheka for days.
Then timdity left him with mind
nueerly active. He nyenloried the sit
uation in a pulse beat, knowing him.
self helpless feeling his ignorance OF
such happenings and his total useless.
ness in an emergency Of the Sor'.
Yet he wanted 10 do Courage was
not lacking,
All this sensation in split instant.
He seemed to live decade while the
outlaw who advanced on the bank
made his first step. and before the
man mad covered half a dozen strides
TO the sidewalk Hardy had again
studied the minute details Of That
tense scene
The man with the rifle had stopped
poised ii seemed, balancing back and
forth as he swayed id the center Of
the street.
His head was in constant. steady
movement. sending gaze first along
one stretch of loy buildings, thet
along another where danger MIGHT
Turk. while The gun muzzle. pointing
! loosely downward. swung back ant
forth with the precision Of a pendul
nm. lie WAS as a hairtriggcr. ready
Tor action at the slightest provoca
| ton.
The man who remained MOUNTED
sat motionless. frozen, like pointer
The animal under him stamped ;
forefoot and sent mud spatierin.
sharply into tho faces of the othc
borScs. One--thc one that had heor
/ last 60 arrive jerked back nervously
sett'iag for onto its launches AM
twisting its head slowly against Thu
bride, but The man did not even loo,
| ia way: merely held tho rons clos,