Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1921-01-28


Arredondo, who happened to look
hack as we passed you, and recog-
nlzed you under the arc light"
Webster halted abruptly: the two
SOhrantean officers stood smiling and
evidently enjoying his discontinue.
Each carried service revolver IN q
closed holster fastened 70 his sword
belt. but neither had as vet 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
Struggled 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 Benavides?'
BY deferential bow. the unwhole-
some Benayides 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.
"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 apprehenslyely at his COM
panion that Webster was aware that
here was situation not to his liking.
."You should use an open holster"
Webster tainted. "Come, come-un-
button that holster-fiap and get busy"
Benavides' hand came away from
the holster Fle was not the least bit
frightened, but bis sense of proper
ton in matters OF this kind was UNI
dergoing q shake-up.
''Tn disposing of any enemy in gun
fight, so q professional killer once in
formed me-" Webster continued, ut 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 l must
practice on somebody, the good Lord
could not have provided two more de-
lightful subjects"
He ceased speaking, and for nearly
half a minute the three men appraised
each other. Benavides was smiling
slightly; Arredondo was fideeting:
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, 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 fomor-
row morn-n
The captains hand, with the speed
of juggler's, had flown to his hol-
ster; but quick as he was. Webster
was d split second quicker. The sound
of his shot roared through the silent
calle, and Benavides, with his pistol
half drawn, lifted a bloody, shattered
hand from the butt as Webster's au-
tomato swept in a swift arc and COW
cred AITedondo. whose arms on the in
slant went skyward.
'sThat wasn't a half bad duel" Web
ster remarked coldly. Are you nor
obliged to me. Captain, for not blowing
your brains out-for disregarding my
finer instincts and refraiping 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 tin
can and roll 1t farthest In three sec
onds. Let me see your hand"
Benavides snilenly. held up that
dripping member. and Webster In
spected It at a. respectful distance.
"Steel jacket bullet" he informed the
wounded man. "Small hole-didnt do
much damage. Youth be just as well
as ever IN month"
He helped himself to Arredondo's
gun, tipped out the cylinder. and
slipped all six cartridges Into his palm.
Similarly he dlsarmed Benavides, ex-
pressed his regret that circumstances
had rendered Il imperative TO use
force. and strolled blithelX down the
Gale. In the darkened patio ne
CROPPED along the wall until he found
the swinging rope by which he had
descended from his room--whereupo
he removed his shoes. tied the laces
together, slung them around his neck,