The L'Anse sentinel., 1921-02-25

| dOOu evening, my American Irlenu.
This meeting Is 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 a the, two
1 Sobrantean officers stood smiling and
evidently enjoying his discomfiture.
Each carried service revolver In a
closed holster fastened to his sword
belt. but neither had as yet made a
move TO draw--seeing which, Webster
| felt sufficiently reassured to accept the
unwelcome situation with grace
equal to that of his enemies. rT5, 3
"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 IT lay
snuggled IN the open holster under his
left arm between his shirt and coat.
"Can 1t be possible you are going to
take advantage of superior numbers
and the fact that you are both armed,
TO force me into a duel on your terms.
my dear Captain Benavides"i
BY 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.
i "As 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-fap.
Lieutenant Arredondo wet his lips and
glanced so apprehensively at his com
panion that Webster was aware that
here was d situation not to his liking.
"You should use an open holster"
| Webster taunted. "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 un-
| dergoing shake-up.
'ln dlsposing of any enemy In gun
| fight. so professional killer once in
| formed me-" Webster continued, at is
a good plan TO put your first bullet
anywhere in the abdomen; the shock
| of a 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.
have never had any practical expert
ence In matters of this kind, but
don't mind telling YOU that if must
practice on somebody, the good Lord
could not have provided two more de-
lightful subjects"
i He ceased speaking and for nearly
half a minute the three men appraised
each other Benavdes was smiling
| slightly; Arredondo was fGseting:
| Webster's glance never faltered from
| the captains nervous hand.
You would be very foolish to
draw" Webster then assured Bena-
vides. "If ! am forced to kill you, il
will be with profound regret. Sup
pose you two dear, sweet children run
along home and think this thing over.
You may change your mind by tomor-
row morn"
The captains hand, with the speed
Of juggler's had flown to hts hol-
ster; but quick as he was. Webster
was q split second quicker. The sound
of his shot roared through The silent
calle, and Benavides, with his pistol
half drawn. lifted bloody, shattered
hand from the butt as Websters au-
tomato swept in swift arc and COW
cred Arredondo. whose arms on the in
stant went skyward.
| "That wasn't half bad duel" Web
ster remarked coldly. "Are you not
obliged to me- Captain, for not blowing
your brains out-for diSregarding my
finer instincts and refraining from
shooting you first through the abd0-
men2 Bless you. my boy, I've been
stuck for years In places where the
only sport consisted In seeing who
could take revolver. shoot at tin
can and roll II fnrthest in three Sec
onds. Let me see your hand"
Benavides surlen1y held up that
dripping member, and Webster In
spected II at respectful distance.
"Steel jacket bullet" he informed the
wounded man. "Small bole--didn't do.
much damage. You'll be just as well !
as ever IN q month" f,
He helped himself to Arredondo's
gun. Tipped out I, tile cylinder, and
slipped all six cartridges into his palm.
Similarly he disarmed Benavides, ex-
pressed his regret that circumstances
had rendered II Imperative to use
force. and strolled blitheiy down the
caile. In the darkened patio he
gr0ped along the wall until herfoundr
tho swinging rope by which he had
descended from his room77wherenpon
he removed his shoes, tied the laces /,
together, slung them around his neck.
dug his toes into the adobe wall and
~ :.