The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-04-28


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 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 Benavidesa
BY 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 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 II you can beat me
to the draw"
Captain Benavides' jaw dropped
slightly; with a 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 situation not to his liking.
"You should use an open holster"
Webster taunted. "Come. come-uu.
button that holster-flap 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 un-
dergoing a shake-up.
"1n disposing Of any enemy In a gun
fight. so professional killer once in
formed me-" Webster continued. at is
good plan to put your first bullet
anywhere in the abdomen; the shock
Of bullet there paralyEes 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 If | must
practice on somebody. the good Lord
could not have provided two more de-
llghtful subjects"
He ceased speaking, and for nearly
half minute the three men appraised
each other. Benavides was smiling
slightly; Arredondo was fdgeting;
Webster's glance never faltered from
the captains nervous hand.
"You would be very foolish to
draw" Webster then assured Bena.
vides. 'Tf ! am forced to kill you, II
will be with profound regret Sup.
pose you two dear. sweet children run
along home and think this thing over.
You meg change your mind by tomor.
row morn"
The captains hand. with the speed
or Juggler's. had flown to his hol-
ster; out quick as he was. Webster
was split second quicker. The sound
or his shot roared through the silent
Gale, and Bcnavides. with his pistol
half drawn. lifted a bloody, shattered
hand from the butt as Webster's au.
tomato swept in a swift arc and GOV.
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 disregardlng my
nner instincts and refraining from
shooting you first through the abdo
menf 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 sullenly held up THAI
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 well
as ever In month"
He helped himself to Arredondo's
gun. flpped out the cylinder and
slipped all six cartridges into his palm.
Similarly he disarmed Benavides, ex.
pressed his regret that circumstances
had rendered 1t imperative to use
force. and strolled biithely down the
calle. In the darkened patio he
groped along the wall until he found
the swinging rope by which he had
descended from his room-whereupon
he removed his shoes. tied the laces
together, slung them around his neck,
dug his toes into the adobe wall and
climbed briskly to his room.
The next morning Webster waited
uatil Dolores appeared and then ac-
companied her into the dining room
for breakfast.
"Well. how did you pass your first
night in Buenaventuraf she inquired,
In the manufacture Of breakfast con.
versation.
mot very well. Jiggers bit me and
woke me up, and finally fell into a
trance and had a vision-about you.
After that I couldn't go to sleep again.
l was fairly bursting to see you at
breakfast and read your palm. I've
just discovered q wonderful system"
"Show me-" she flashed back at
him and she extended her little hand.
He picked 1t up gravely and with the
dull tine of fork made great show
OF tracing the lines on her palm.
You are about twenty-four years
old, and your ancestors wera nura hrad