The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1922-01-13

abrupt halt. half block in advance
of Webster.
Save for an arc light at each end
of the block the Gale de COncordia
was dim; save for Webster, the car
rage and the two men who piled bur-
riedly out at the rear of the convey
ance. the Gale de Concordia was de-
void of life. Webster saw one of the
men hurriedly toss a coin to the coch-
ero; with fervent "Gracias, mi cap
itan," the driver clucked to his horse,
turned the corner into the Gale Eli
condo and disappeared, leaving his late
passengers facing Webster and calmly
awaiting his approach. He was within
20 feet of them when the taller of the
two men spoke.
"Good evening, my American friend.
This meeting is pleasure we scarce
ly hoped to have so soon. For the
same we are indebted to Lieutenant
A,redondo, 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
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 grace
equal to that of his enemies.
hol
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. "Ycu
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 deferential bow, the unwhole-
some Benavides indicated that such
were his intentions. "Then," said
Webster, las 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-f1ap.
| 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 tainted. "Come. cOme-un-
button that hocter-fap and get busy"
Benavides' hand came away from
the holster. FIe was not the least Bit
| frightened, but his sense of proper
ton in matters of this kind was I'M
dergoing shake-up.
"In dsposing of any enemy in CUR
fight, so a professional killer once in
formed me-" Webster continued, 'it Il
a good plan to put your first bulle
anywhere in the abdomen; the shocl
of bullet there paralyzes your Oppo
nent for a few seconds and prevent.
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 | mus
practice on somebody, the good LORI
could not have provided two more de
lightful subjects"
He ceased speaking, and for nearl
half a minute the three men appraise
each other. Benavides was smilin
slightly; Arredondo was tdgeting
Webster's glance never faltered fror
the captains nervous hand.
"You would be very foolish t
draw" Webster then assured Benz
; yides. "If am forced to kill you,
will be with profound regret. SUI
pose you two dear. sweet children ru
? along home and think this thing owe
You may change your mind by tomo
row morn"
The captains hand, with the spec
of a juggler's. had flown to his HI
, ster; but quick as he was, Webst
, was a split second quicker. The soul
of his shot roared through the sile
Gale, and Benavides, with his pist
half drawn, lifted bloody, shatter
hand from the butt as Webster's a
tomato swept in a swift arc and CO
cred Arredondo. whose arms on the
! slant went skyward.
: THAT wasn't a half bad duel" We
s ster remarked coldly. Are you n
obliged to me, Captain, for not blowi
] your brains out-for disregarding Z
e finer instincts and refraining frC
$ shooting you first through the abb
l. men? Bless you. my boy. I've be
, stuck for years in places where t
F; only sport consisted in seeing W
e could take a revolver, shoot at
t can and roll it farthest in' three 81
r onds. Let me see your hand"
e Benavides sullenly held up tn
, dr;nnino memher and Webster