Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-01-26


This meeting Is a pleasure We scarce
y hoped 10 have so soon. For the
same We are indebted TO Lieutenant
ArTedondo. who happened TO look
back as we passed you. and recOg-
niEef you under the arc light"
Webster halted abruptly: the two
Sobrautean officers stood smiling and
evidently enjoying his discontinue.
Zach carried a service revolver in a
closed holster fastened TO his sword
belt. but neither had as yet made a
move 20 draw-seeing which. Webster
felt sufficiently treasured 10 accept the
unwelcome situation with a grace
equal to n Z OF his enemies.
~Whatg You two bad little boys
up this late. I'm surprised" he replied
ca 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
snuggied In the open holster under his
left arm between his shirt and coat.
can Il 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 BenavidesT
BY a 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
rsked with mock interest.
AS we stand az present. Tn armed.
Pull your hardware. you pretty pair OF
polecats. and see IL you can beat me
10 the draw"
Captain Benavides' Jaw dropped
slightly; with a quiet. deliberate mo-
ton his hand stole 20 his holster-fiap.
Lieutenant AtredondO wet his lips and
glanced 50 apprehensively az his com
paniOn that Webster was aware that
here was q situation not 10 hls liking.
You should use an open holster. ("
Webster tainted. "COme. come-un-
button that holster-fiap and set busy"
Benavides' hand came away from
the holster. lie was not the least bit
frightened. but his sense OF proper
ton In matters OF this kind was un-
dergoing a shake-up.
In disp0slng OF any enemy in a gun
dsht. 50 professional killer once In
formed me-" Webster continued, "it Is
a good plan 10 put your first bullet
anywhere In the abdomen; the shock
~ a bullet there paralyzes your Oppo-
nent for a few seconds and prevents
him from returning the compliment,
and In the interim you blow his brains
QUO while he lies looking az you.
haze never had any practical expert
eglce In matters OF this kind. but
don't mind telling you that II I must
uractlce on somebody. the good Lord
eould not have provided two more de-
lightful subjects"
lie ceased speaking. and for nearly
half a minute the three men appraised
each other. Benavides was smiling
slightly: Arred0ndo was adseung;
webster's glance never faltered from
The captains nervous hand.
You would be very foolish 20
draw Webster then assured Bena-
vides. IF I am forced 20 kin you. IL
viii 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
~ a juggier'S. had flown 10 hts hOl-
ster: bur quick as he was, Webster
was q split second quicker. The sound
of his shot roarcd through the silent
caIle. and Benavides. with his pistol
half drawn. lifted a bloody. shattered
hand from the butt as WehSter's au-
tomato swept In e swift arc and COW
cred Arredondo. whose arms on the In
slant went ssyward.
THAT wasn't a half bad duel. Web
ster remarked coldly. Are you not
Obliged 10 me. Captain. for not blowing
vour brains out-for disregarding my
finer instincts and refraining from
shooting you first through the abdo-
menl Bless you. my boy, I've been
stuck for years in places where the
only sport consisted In seeing who
could take a revolver. shoot az tin
can and roll IL farthest In three sec
onds. Let me see your hand"
Benavides suflenly held up that
dripplng member, and Webster In
Spected n az q respectful distance
-Sfeel Jacket bullet" he Informed the
wounded man. small hole-didn't DO
much damage. You'll be Just as well
as ever in a month"
He helped himself 70 ArredOndo's
gun. Tipped out the cylinder. and
slipped ali SIX cartridges into his palm.
similarly he disarmed Benavides. ex-
pressed his regret that circumstances
had rendered II imperative TO use
force. and strolled blithely down the
cane. In the darkened patio he
rrSped along the wall until he found
the swinging rope by which he had
$500 go. Nsn wnnma-WhprnlmO