, 1921-12-23
MAS
ON THE PLAINS

CONTINUED from Page 81
coat and busted himself with Inarin-
airy repairs to the wagon as the man
rode up A plan had evolved itself
suddenly in his mind. the result Of
deep study aimee locating the robbers
The bandi slid to the ground con.
hdenuy. as his horse came to a stop.
and announced that two OF their
horses had failed them, one having
gone lame and the other down with
colo. Could Mac provide anything
Tor them to ride. or would he take
them across country to Sheridan
where they could connect with a
train.
Fact is" he explained. I'VE have
some ore specimens and other Junk
hat We are anxious to have assayed.
You take this stun through for us
and we will pay you WELL"
For reply Mao placed one hand
heavily upon the mans arm and
sad;
"Pefe you are under arrest"
Like a fash the bandit drew his
weapon. n move Mac was looking for
and which he blocked by striking the
pistol from the mans grasp, sending
II spinning high In the air. They then
grappled n struggled desperately,
nearly falling under the wondering
horses. The bandit, light OF build
and heavily clad. was no match, at
best. for the big cattleman, and he
succumbed. Mac bound him Sc
curely with a picket rope and bundled
him into the wagon. Pete was silent
and sullen. He saw that he was
beaten. but was hiding his time. for
some unforeseen opportunity. Mac
then united the mares from the livery
team. resolving to leave them here
while he returned to the bandit cabin
to negotiate the capture OF the two
remaining c
Shor ina,ore reaching the cabin
Ma stop,sd long enough to tie a
muller trhliy around his captive's
moutl. aad scare him also to tie
wagon bod. Leaving the wagon be
hind a hin he walked to tho door
and entered. Slim was mapping upon
a bunk. a pistol ready at hand. Bill
was nowhere to be seen.
AT the stable probably" thought
Mac rs he quietly reached over and
picked up Sims automatic. He then
slipped noiselessly out without dis
turbing the sleeper. and went to the
barn where he found Bandit Bill
working with a sick horse.
Bill looked up from his task to
gaze into the muzzle OF the auto
matte.
"Stici 'em up kidr' ordered the
cattleman. and Bill dazedly raised his
hands without a word. With the
muzzle of the gun pressed against
rha hoa1ftFo xarr fr,-t Ma ~-,,t-1
the u which the youth carried in
a holster. As n precaution he search
ed for further weapons. Finding
none. he pocketed his own. and dealt
the puzzled Bill u stunning blow.
Without a sound the young bandit
collapsed. and was soon bound and
gagged. Fortunately there had been
no outcry. and Mac now had only
Slim to deal with and he made play
of that. Waking this snorting soul OF
clay from n sound 81 ep Mac simply
told him to hold out his hands and
be hog-tied. Slim CROPPED vainly for
his gun and made profane protest
cuffed into submission.
Mas was well warmed up. and the
fire of youth glowed in his ruddy
cheeks by the time he had his men
all properly tied and loaded. Then
he unearthed the money sacks which
he found after some search They
had been in the upper bunk occu-
pied by the leader. This treasure
was placed IN the wagon beside the
captives, and after satisfying him.
self that all was secure. Mac picked
up his reins and started back to the
Seventeen-mile. He decided to leave
his old team for the time being. and
make the best of time before n ac-