The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-09-18

"We will never get to the station be-
| fore dark. There is an old shack up
here that I know of, and I vote we
spend the night there and hit the trail
again at daylight. It's bad goin' along
this way after dark"
"Where is the shack?" asked Davis,
half convinced that the other was
speaking wisely. The Spider pointed
indefinitely to one side.
| "I think it's in there. You fellers
wait here till go and make sure. I'll
be back in a few minutes" Easing
themselves in the saddles and rolling
cigarettes the remaining two settled
themselves down to wait.
| Once out of sight the Spider slipped
from the saddle. Choosing a favorable
spot he drew an extra revolver from in
side his shirt and flashing it in the
fork of tree carefully sighted it down
the trail. Then stringing small vine
across the path tied it to the trigger,
after which he returned to the waiting
pair with the information that the
shack lay in that direction. AT once
all three started along the way, Davis
| in the lead.
Reaching the point where the spring
gun was set, the two following rascals
softly drew their horses to one side.
All unconscious Of the Spiders treach-
cry, John rode on, his thoughts on
Ethel and the mine. From the brush
beside the way came sharp explosion,
and his horse falling upon its knees.
rolled oyer upon it's side with bullet
through the brain. Half dazed by the
fall, John sat up just in time to see
the Spider dismount and go rushing
through the trees, firing as he ran at
some imaginary foe. Soon he re-
turned, gathering up the. evidence OF
his futile attempt as he came.
''Don't know for sure who he was, as
couldn't get good sight Of him, but
it looks to me as though that cussed
Hermit is still camping on our trail"
he explained.
"He won't follow us any farther on
this trip" said Morgan. Taking the
| dazed John upon his horse they rode
| to the cabin and retired for the night.
In the middle of the night Morgan
and Bellas silently lifted their heads.
A moments listening told them that
Davis was sleeping soundly, and at a
whisper from the Hawk the Spider
sneaked to the stove and brought him
| the coffee pot, which, retaining for
moment, the other handed back.
Just before dawn the Spider awak-
ened Davis, also shaking Morgan.
'aTime to be stirring" he announced
and sleepily they got upon their feet.
Pouring the coffee which he already
had heated, into their tin cups, Bellas
rendered each Of his companions one.
John, drinking his and thinking of
Ethel, did not observe that the other
men had secretly poured their portions
| through a crack in the floor.
For couple Of minutes after he had
finished the draught Davis sat upon
the side of his bunk while the others
spoke briefly of the coming events OF
the day as secretly they watched him.
Moment by moment his head sank low
| Ell upon his chest until with long
sigh he fell backward upon the blank
cts, instantly beginning to snore. The
4 rascally pair arose.
"HeIl be dead to the world for a
couple of hours after that doping"
laughed the Hawk, as the twain began
gathering the three lariats together.
"And that will give us time enough to
cook his goose for all time" Pass
ing out of the shack they approached
good sized sapling which stood close
to the wall.
At the Hawks direction the Spider
climbed the tree and fastened one end
of the stout lariats to it, after which
he threw the other end of the rope
cross the ridge pole Of the shack, so
that it fell down and trailed upon the
far side. To the free end Morgan now
attached second lasse, after which
he went to an old well from which he