The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1921-01-28

minded landlady. His mind was In a
tumult. SO It was that he paid no at
tention to a vehicle that logged by him
with the cochero sagging low In his
seat, half asleep over the reins, until
quick command from the closed In
terror brought the vehicle to an
abrupt halt, half a block In advance
of Webster.
Save for an arc light at each end
of the block, the Gale de Concordia
was dim; save for Webster, the car
riage and the two men who piled hur-
riedly out at the rear Of the convey
ance, the Gale de ConcOrdla was de-
void of life. Webster saw one Of the
men hurriedly toss a coin to the coch-
Gro; with a fervent "Gracias, mi cap
itan," the driver CLICKED to his horse,
turned the cerner into the Gale Eli
condo and disappeared, leaving his late
passengers facing Webster and calmly
awaiting his approach. He was within
20 feet Of them when the taller of the
two men spoke.
"Good evening, my American friend.
This meeting is a pleasure we scarce
ly hoped to have so soon. For the
same we are indebted to Lieutenant
Arredondo, who happened to look
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 q service revolver in
closed holster fastened to his sword
belt, but neither had as yet made
move to draw-seeing which, Webster
felt sufficiently treasured to accept the
unwelcome situation with grace
equal to that of his enemies.
"What? 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 1t lay
snuggled in the open holster under his
left arm between his shirt and coat.
"Can it be possible you are going to
take advantage of superior numbers
and the fact that you are both armed,
to force me into q duel on your terms,
my dear Captain Benavides?"
BY a deferential bow, the unwhole-
some Benavides indicated that such
were his intentions. "Then," said
Webster, "as the challenged party
have the choice Of weapons. choose
pistols"
AT what ranger" the lieutenant
asked with mock interest.
GAS we stand at present. I'm armed
Pull your hardware, you pretty pair Of
polecats, and see If you can beat me
to the draw"
Captain Benavides' jaw dropped
slightly; with a quiet, deliberate mo
ton his hand stole to his holster-flap
Lieutenant Arredondo wet his lips anC
glanced so apprehensively at bis com
panion that Webster was aware tina
here was a situation not to his liking
"You should use an open holster,
Webster tainted. "Come, come-un
button that holster-flap and get busy
Benavides hand came away from
the holster He was not the least bi
frightened, but his sense of proper
tion in matters of this kind was I'm
dergoing a shake-up.
I'm disposlng of any enemy in a gul
fight, so a professional killer once in
formed me-" Webster continued, at /
a good plan to put your first bulle
anywhere in the abdomen; the shocl
of bullet there paralyzes your oppo
nent for a few seconds and prevent
him from returning the compliment
and In the interim you blow his brain
out while he lies looking at you.
: have never had any practical exper
ence In matters of this kind, but
don't mind telling you that If mus
practice on somebody, the good LOr
could not have provided two more dc
lightful subjects"
He ceased speaking, and for nearl
: half a minute the three men appraise
! each other. Benavides was smilln
!, slightly; Arredondo was fidgeting
1 Websters glance never faltered froI
the captains nervous hand.
"You would be very foolish I
!, dlaw," Webster then assured Bent
u vides. 'If am forced to kill you,
: will be with profound regret. SUI
pose you two dear, sweet children ru
along home and think this thing owe
q You may change yenr mind by tomo
9 row morn"
: The captains hand, with the spec
J. Of a juggler's, had flown to his no
ster; but quick as he was, WebstC
! was a split second quicker. The SCUM