Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1921-04-21

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 a 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 treasured to accept the
unwelcome situation with a 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 it 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 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 l
have the choice of weapons. 1 choose
pistols"
Eat what ranger" the lieutenant
asked 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 a quiet, deliberate mo-
ton his hand stole to his holster-1ap.
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 tainted. "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 I'M
dergoing a shake-up.
''In disposing of any enemy in gun
| fight, so a professional killer once in,
formed me-" Webster continued, sit is
a good plan to put your first bullet
anywhere in the abdomen; the shock
of 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
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 I must
practice on somebody, the good Lord
could not have provided two more de.
lightful subjects"
He ceased speaking, and for nearly
half minute the three men appraised
each other. Benavides was smiling
| Slightly AIASuOuuO was huSellAS
| Webster's glance never faltered from
the captains nervous hand.
'You would be very foolish tt
draw" Webster then assured Bena
vides. eff l 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 a jugglers, had flown to his hOl
ster; but quick as he was, Webster
was split second quicker. The sounC
of his shot roared through the silen
Gale, and Benavides, with his pistO
half drawn, lifted a bloody, shattered
hand from the butt as Webster's au
tomato swept in swift arc and GOV
cred Arredondo, whose arms on the in
slant went skyward.
"That wasn't half bad duel" Web
ster remarked coldly. "Are you no
obliged to me, Captain, for not blowing
your brains out-for disregarding m,
finer instincts and refraining iron
shooting you first through the abdo
men? Bless you, my boy, I've beef
stuck for years in places where tn
only sport consisted in seeing VIII
could take a revolver, shoot at til
can and roll it farthest in three sec
onds. Let me see your hand"
Benavides sullenly held up tina
dripping member, and Webster in
spected it at a respectful distance
"Steel Jacket bullet" he informed tn
wounded man. "Small hOle-didn't d
much damage. You'll be just as wei
as ever in a month"
He helped himself to Arredondo'
gun, tipped out the cylinder, an
, slipped all six cartridges into his palm
Similarly he disarmed Benavides, eS
pressed his regret that circumstance
had rendered it imperative to US
: force, and strolled blithely down tn
= calle. In the darkened patio h
: CROPPED along the wall until he foun
= the swinging rope by which he ha