The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1920-03-25
CROOKED TRAILS
AND STRAIGHT
Continued from preceding page)
CHAPTER TX.
A Cleanup.

porting to his chief. Blackwell, while
eating. knocked glass from the table
and broke 1t on the cement floor of his
CELL
From the little table In his room he
pr1ed loose one Of the corner braces.
AT night he scraped away at this with
his bit of glass until the wood began
to take the shape of a revolver. This
he carefully blacked with the ink
brought him by his guard. To the end
or mis- weapon he fitted an iron washer
taken from the bedstead. Then he
waited for his opportunity.
His chance came through the good
nature Of Scanlan. Blackwell pre-
tended to be out Of chewing tobacco
and asked the guard to buy him some.
About ten o'clock Scanlan returned
and brought the tobacco to his pris-
oner. AS he passed the plug through
the grating Blackwell's fingers closed
around his wrist and drew the mar
close to the iron lattice work Stimuli
taneOuSly cold rim was pressed
against the temple Of the guard.
Don't move, or I'll fiji you full of
holes" the convict warned.
Scanlan did not move, not until the
man In the cell gave the word. Then
he obeyed orders to the letter. His
right hand found the bunch of keys.
htted the correct one to the door and
unlocked 1t according to instructions.
Not until he was relieved of his wea-
pom did Blackwell release him. The
Jailer was backed into the cell, gagged
with piece Of torn bedding and left
locked up as securely as the other had
been few minutes earlier.
The convict made his way down.
stairs. opened the outer door with tho
bunch Of keys he had taken from Scan
Ian, locked 1t behind him AMI slipped
into the first alley that offered refuge
Two hours later he stole n horse from
an irrigated ranch near town. Within
twenty-four hours he had reached the
Soapy Stone horse ranch and safety.
After this the plans for the raid on
the Texas, Arizona & Pacific flyer
moved swiftly to a head. SOapy Stone
and Sam dropped into Saguachc in.
conspicuOusly one evening. Next day
Stone rode down to Tin Cup TO look
over the ground. Maloney telephoned
their movements to the Circle G and
to the Hashknife. This brought to
Saguache Luck Cullison, Curly Elan.
drau and Stats Davis. Bucky O'Connor
had been called to Douglas on impor-
tant business and could not lend his
help.
Luck, Curly and Dick MaIOney had
already ridden over the country sur
rounding the scene of the projected
holdup. They had decided that the
robbery would probably take place at
the depot, SO that the outlaws could
get the agent to stop the flyer without
arouSing suspicion. In pocket Of the
hills back of the station camp had
been selected, its site we'll back from
any trail and so situated that from II
one could command view of Tin Cup.
The owner Of the Circle c selected
three Of his close-mOuthed riders
Sweeney, Jake and Buck were the
ones he chOse-to hold the camp with
him until after the robbery The only
signal they needed was the stopping Of
the Flyer ut Tin Cup. Then they would
come pounding down from the hills in
time tt latch the robbers before they
had got through with their work. Ma
honey or Curly would be on the train
to take hand In the battle Caught
by surprise. Soapy's gang would surely
be trapped
SO they planned II. hut II happened
That Soapy Stone had made his ar
rangements differently.
Luck and his riders took their blan-
kets and their traps down TO Tin Cup
according to agreement. while Davis.
Maloney and Flandrau became very
friendly with Sam. The boy. younger
than any OF them was fattered that
three OF the best known riders In the
territory should make so much of him.
Young Cu!lIsOn had stopped drink
ing. but he could not keep his nerves
from jumping. His companions
watched him so closely that he was
never out Of the sight Of at least one
OF them. Soapy had decreed the boys
death by treachery. but his friends
were determined to save him and to
end forever the reign of Stone as a
bad man.
1t was one day when the four young
cowpunchers were sitting together In
Curiy's room playing poker that spe-
cial delivery letter came to Sam. The
others, to cover their excitement, start
ed an argument. Presently Sam spoke
as indifferently as he could
Got the offer of Job down the
line. Think I'll run down tonight as
FAR as Casa Grande and see what's do
ing"
This was about two O'Clock I'm the
afternoon. The game dragged on for
while, but nobody took any interest
In 1t. Sam had to get ready for the
work Of the night, and the rest were
anxious to get out and give him a
chance. So presently Dick threw down
his cards.
i've had enough poker for one ses-
sion. Me. I'm going to drift out and
see what's moving In town."
Think I'll snooze for a while" Sam
said. stretching sleepily.