The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-02-18

" Hts blood had turned 60 water
Honest didn't shoot uafrigan
|, Why, I'm that tondcrheartcd
wouldn't hurt kitten. II Oh
don't do that. for Gods sakc.r
Thomas was almost as white a.
I the outlaw "Nou don't aim to-
T you wouldn't"
crawford's face was ~ cold and
as hard as steel. "Why not9 Hes
a murderer. lie tried 10 gun Dave
here when the hoy didn't have a
six shooter. Wen jcs' sc. rid 81
him now" lilo threw rope over
the convict's head and adjusted II
10 the folds OF hts Fat throat.
The man under condemnation
could hardly speak. Ills throa,
was dry "a the dcscr; dust below
IL done Mr.. Sanders n meanneaS
I'm sorry. was drunk"
you lied about him and sent
him to the ponitcntiary."
I'm fix that Lemmo so an III
make that right"
How win you make II rightfs
asked Crawford grimly. aud the
weight uf his arm drew the rope
80 ught that Miller WINGED. "Can
you give him back the years hes
lost7''
No. sir. no." the man whispers
eagerly. "Rut I can toll how IL was
that we fired first at him. noble
did that. an cn-.accidcntai-- /
killed poblc whilst was shootln'
al Mr.. Sanders"
Dave STRIDE forward. his eyes like
great live Goals. "Whatf Say that
againy' he cried.
"feSsir. did it--accidentai---
when Dohic run forward In front
Of me. ThA's right I'm plumb sor.
~ l didn't tell the cout so when
you was on trial. Mr.. Sanders |
reckon l was scairt TO"
"Wll you tell this OF yore own
free will 70 the sheriff down at
MaigplT' asked Crawford
4 SURF Will. Ncssir. Mr.. craw.
ford The mans terror had swept
away all thought Of anything but
the present peril. His color Was a
F ~A+s1tN"A kAftAAs AAAA NNNAA ENsH
trembled Ike jelly shaken from a
mould.
"Its too late now cut In Dave
savageiy. We came up about this
stage robbery. Unless he'll clear
that up. vote 20 finish the job.
Maybe we'd better" agreed the
casticman. "In tie the rope TO the
trunk OF the trcs and you lead the
horse from under him. Dave
Miller broke down. He groveled
~I1l tell. III tell all l know. Dug
Dohle and shorty held up the stage
I don know who killed the driver
They didn't say when they come
back"
You let the water into the ditch. :"
suggested Crawford.
'YesSir. did that They was
sheterin' mo and o. course / had
20 DO like they said
when did you cscape--
~On the way back 10 the peuiisn
tlary. A fellow give tho deputy
sheriff a drink on the train. II was
doped- We had that fixed The
keys 20 tho handouts was in tho
deputy's pocket When he went 10
aieep we unlocked the cuffs and !
rot or at tho next depot Horses
was waitin' thcr~ for US"
who do you mean b. uSr Who
was with your
4 DON know who he was. Pei
low gaid Brad Stcciman sent him
to fix things up for me-
Thomas borrowed the fisld-giasses
OF Crawford. Presently no lowered
them. Two fellows comm hell
for.lsather across the valley" he
said in voice that expressed his
fears.
The catueulan took the glasses
and looked. "Shorty'A found
friend. Dug Dobie likely. They're
carryin' rifles. Wen have trouble
They'll see we stopped al the bald
Of the pass no said quietly.
Much shaken already. the oil
prospector collapsed at the prospect
before him. He was n man OF
peace and always had been. In spite
Of the valiant promise Of his
tongue.
sNone Of my funeral" he said.
his lips white. I'm hittin' the trail
for Maiapi right now
He wheeled his horse and Jumped
Il TO n gallOp. The roan plunged
thru the chaparral and soon was
out OF sight.
Wen fix Nr. Miller SO he won't
make us any trouble during the
rookus." Crawford told Dave
He threw the coiled rope over
the heaviest branch OF the cedar.
drew II tight. and fastened II to
the trunk Of the tree.
The two men tied their horses
behind some heavy mesquite and
chose their own cover. Here they
crouched down and waited.
They could hear the horses OF
the outlaws climbing the hill out
OF the valley 10 the pass Then.
down In the canon. they caught a
glimpse Of Thomas in Wild flight
The bandits stopped NJ the divide.
They'll be headin' this way In a
minute" Crawford whispered.
His companion nodded agreement.
They were wrong. There came
the sound OF n whoop. a sudden
chatter OF hoofs. the diminishing
beat Of horses feet.
They've seen Thomas. and
they're after him on the jump"
suggested Dave.
His friends eyes crinkled n a
smile. Sure enough. They figure