Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-12-24

20 feet Of them when the taller Of til,
two men spoke.
Good evening, my American friend
This meeting Is pleasure we scarce
ly hoped to have so soon. For thu
same we are indebted to Lieutenant
Arredondo. who happened to loOi
back as we passed you, and recog
nized you under the arc light"
Webster halted abruptly; the two
Sobrantean officers stood smiling and
evidently enjoying his discontinue.
Each carried service revolver In q
closed holster fastened to his sword,
belt, but neither had as yet made a
move to draw-seeing which, Webster
felt sufficiently treasured to accept the
unwelcome situation with grace
equal to that Of his enemies.
"What7 You two bad little boys
up this late I'm surprised" he replied
In Spanish. He folded his arms,
struck an attitude and surveyed them
as might an indignant father. "You
kids have been up to some mischief"
he added, as his right hand closed over
the butt Of his automatic, where II lay
Struggled In the open holster under his
left arm between his shirt and coat.
"Can II be possible you are going to
take advantage Of superior numbers
and the fact that you are both armed,
to force me into duel on your terms,
my dear Captain Benavldesr
By deferential bow. the unwhole-
some Benavides indicated that such
were his Intentions. "Then," said
Webster, "as the challenged party I
have the choice Of weapons. I choose
pistols"
AT what ranger" the lieutenant
asked with mock interest.
AS we stand at present. Tmarmed.
Pull your hardware, you pretty pair Of
polecats, and see II you can beat me
to the draw"
Captain Benavides' jaw dropped
slightly; with quiet, deliberate mo-
ton his hand stole to his holster-flap.
Lieutenant Arredondo wet his lips and
glanced so apprehensively at his COM
panion that Webster was aware that
here was a situation not to his liking.
"YOu should use an open holster"
Webster tainted. "Come, cOme-un-
button that holster-fap and get busy"
Benavides' hand came away from
the holster. He was not the least bit
frightened, but his sense of proper
ton In matters Of this kind was I'M
dergoing a shake-up.
I'm disposing Of any enemy in a gun
fight. so a professional killer once in
formed me-" Webster continued, ut is
a good plan to put your first bullet
anywhere In the abdomen; the shock
of bullet there paralyzes your oppo-
nent for few seconds and prevents
him from returning the compliment,
and In the interim you blow his brains
out while he lies looking at you. l
have never had any practical expert
ence In matters Of this kind, but
don't mind telling you that II I must
practice on somebody, the good Lord
could not have provided two more de-
Ilghtful subjects"
He ceased speaking, and for nearly
half a minute the three men appraised
each other. Benavldes was smiling
slightly; Arredondo was fidgeting;
Webster's glance never faltered from
he captains nervous hand.
"You would be very foolish to
lraw," Webster then assured Bena-
,ldes. III | am forced to kill you, 1t
will be with profound regret. Sup
,ose you two dear, sweet children run
llong home and think this thing over.
You may change your mind by tomor-
'ow morn"
The captains hand, with the speed
Il a juggler's, had flown to his hol-
ter; but quick as he was, Webster
vas a split second quicker. The sound
# his shot roared through the silent
ale, and Benavides, with his pistol
alf drawn, lifted bloody, shattered
and from the butt as Webster's au.
omatic swept in swift arc and COW
red Arredondo, whose arms on the in
tant went skyward.
"That wasn't a half bad duel" Web
ter remarked cOldly. Are you not
bliged to me, Captain, for not blowing
our brains out--for dlsregarding my
ner instincts and refraining from
hooting you first through the abdo-
,eni Bless you, my boy, I've been
tuck for years in places where the
My sport consisted In seeing who
ould take a revolver, shoot at tin
an and roll II farthest In three sec
nds. Let me see your hand"
Benavides sullenly held up that
ripping member, and Webster In
pected It at a respectful distance.
Steel jacket bullet he Informed the
'ounded man. "Small hole--didn't do
luch damage. You'll be just as well
) ever IN n month"
He helped himself to Arredondo's
IN, tipped out the cylinder, and
tipped all six cartridges into his palm.
Imilarly he disarmed Benavides, ex-
ressed his regret that circumstances
nd rendered It imperative to use
,rce, and strolled blithely down the
lille. In the darkened patio he
-oped along the wall until he found
lie swinging rope by which he had
sscended from his room-whereupon |
3 removed his shoes, tied the laces
,gether, slung them around his neck,
ig his toes into the adobe wall and |
lmbed briskly to his room.
The next morning Webster waited
ntil Dolores appeared and then &C.