Cheyenne record., 1921-04-28
20 feet of them when the taller of the

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
Aredondo, 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 service revolver in a
closed holster fastened to his sword
belt. but neither had as yet made
move to draw-seeing which, Webster
felt sufficiently reassured to accept the
unwelcome situation with a 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 1t 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 duel on your terms.
my dear Captain BenayidesT
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 range" the lieutenant
csked with mock interest.
"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 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 taunted. "Come. come-un-
button that holster-fiap and get busy"
Benavides' hand came away from
the holster. He was not the least bit
frightened, but his sense Of proper
tion In matters Of this kind was un-
dergoing shake-up.
I'm disposing of any enemy In a gun
fight, SO professional killer once in
formed me-" Webster continued. cit is
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.
have never had any practical expert
ence In matters Of this kind, but I
don't mind telling you that II must
practice on somebody, the good Lord
could not have provided two more de-
Iightful subjects"
He ceased speaking, and for nearly
half minute the three men appraised
each other. Benavides was smiling
slightly; Arredondo was fdgeting: /:
"CUSkcE &IduCS ucFCE ldIleEGu lEOlu
the captains nervous hand.
"You would be very foolish to
draw" Webster then assured Bena-
vides. III l am forced to kill you, it
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-
The captains hand. with the speed
of a juggler's, had flown to his hol-
ster; but quick as he was. Webster
was 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 Webster's 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 abdo-
men? 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 a tin
can and roll 1t farthest in three Sec
onds. Let me see your hand"
Benavides su1lenly held up that
dripping member, and Webster in
spected 1t at respectful distance.
"Steel jacket bullet" he Informed the
wounded man. "Small hole-didn't do
much damage. You'll be just as we'll
as ever in q month"
He helped himself to Arredondo's
gun, tipped out the cylinder, and
slipped all six cartridges into his palm.
Similarly he disarmed Benavides, ex-
pressed his regret that circumstances
had rendered it imperative to use
force, and strolled blithely down the
collo Tn the darkened OatfO he