The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-02-07
Conlinned from our last issuel


A string of eight-inch pipe sixty
feet long was slid forward and der
icked over the stream. The pipe
had been fitted with valves Of vari-
our sizes. After it had been fastened
10 the wells casing, these were grad
ually reduced TO check the flow
Six hours later 4 metropolitan news.
paper carried the headline:
BIG GUSHER HARNESSED
AFTER WILD RAMPAGE
Jackpot No. at Malapi Tanned;
Long Battle Ended.
CHAPTER XVII.
1t was surprise to Dave to dis
cover on setting out for the scene
Of the hold-up that the horse Steve
had got for him was his own old
favorite Chiquito. The pinto knew
him. He tested this by putting him
through some of his old tricks. He
nuzzled his silky nose against the
cJat OF his master just as in the
days Of old.
Crawford searched over the ground.
Just like I thought, Dave. The
posse has been here and stomped
out any tracks. No way Of tellin
which of all these footprints belonged
to them. Likely none Of 'em
They made wide circle TO try TO
pick up the trail wanted, and again
a still larger one.
The trailers scanned closely the
edge of the irrigation ditch.
1al a IN
on his knees and studied the ground,
then jumped down into the ditch
and examined the bank
Here's where they got out he
announced.
The old cattleman examined the
side of the canal The clay showed
where sharp hoof had reached for
footing, missed, and paved down
the bank. Higher up was the faint
Icark Of shoe on the loose rubble
Of the edge
Looks like" he assented.
The trail led through the canon,
over a divide beyond, and down into
small grassy valley.
a log cabin squatted on the slope.
One had to be almost upon it before
it could be seen. Its back door
looked down upon the entrance to a
canon. This was fenced across to
make q corral.
This cattleman and the cowpuncher
booked at each other without verbal
comment. This was the haunt Of
Iugt.ers.
Horses were browsing sleepily in
the corral Dave slid from the sad
die and spoke to Crawford in 4 low
voice.
I'm going down TO have n look at
those horses" he said. unfastening
ms rope from the tientos.
Dave walked down the steep hill
side. and dropped into the corral.
4 man came to the back door of
the cabin and stretched in Il long ana
luxuriant yawn. Carelessly and cas-
ua'y his eyes wandered over the
corral. For n moment he stood froz-
en-, his arms still flung wide.
From behind him came Crawford S
Yo.ce. cool and ironic. Much obliged
Shorty. Leave 'em right up and save
trouble"
The squat cowpuncher's eyes found
there the owner or the y Bar Lazy
Il. "Wha'dyl want" he g-owled sui.
lc.iy.
"You-just now. Dave. step for.
ward and get his six.shooter Keep
him between you and the house. It
enything happens TO you I'm goin'
20 kill him right now
Sanders took the mans gun and
ran his hand over his thick body 10
make sure he had no concealed wea-
pon. "l'm gcing to back away. You
'ome after Inc, step by step. so close
I could touch you with the gln,' or
dcred Dave.
The mgn followed him rs directed,
his hands SIN in the air. His cap
tor kept him in q line between him
and the house door. Crawford rode
down 10 join them.
You live heie, Shorty?' askcI
Crawford curtly.
Yes" The answer was sulky ant
re.uotant
"Alone?'
YES"
Crawford turned to Sanders. "wha
about the horsc you looked at, Dave?'
Same one we've been trailing. Th'
one with the broken shoe"
That yore horse, Shorty?"
"Maybeso Maybe not"
you've been havin' company her
lately" Crawford went on. Who
yore guest?'
you seem 10 be right now. Yo,
and yore friend the convict" sneere
the short cowpuncher.
Don't use that word again,
shorty" advised the ranchman in
voice gently ominous.
why not? True. amt II? Doesn
deny 1t none, does he?"
Before he could answer, Dave spoli,
Man coming up from the creek,
Crawford took crisp commant
Back in that corner shorty. Dav,
you stand back, too. Cover him SOC
rs he shows UP"
Dave nodded.
\ man stood in the doorway. bis
fat, staggering. lie was a mountai
of sagging flesh. His breath came
whec2y puffs.
Next time YOU get your own
The voice faltorcd. died away. III
nrotuberant eyes. still cold and fish!
passed fearfully from one 10 anoth,
Of those in the room.
"Goddlemighty!" lac gaspcd. Don
shoot IL give up"
He was carrying a bucket Of waite
IL dropped from his nervous finge
ana split over the floor.
Like a bullet out Of a gun GRAY
ford shot n question at him. "Whel
have you hidden the money YOU x
from the stage2"