The Holly chieftain., 1923-06-07
CHAPTER v-conslnued.

g.
They're through. That's enough"
said Sandy. 1--WE amt killers"
"Got two of 'em," said Sam. "Good
shootin', sandyl I reckon missed
clean. l fred to the left"
'The man who's down is Butch"
said Sandy. "rd know his fgger in
coal shaft. I've hunch the other
was Hahn. Hit him somewheres in
the hand; spile his dealin' TO while.
Let's git out Of this. They've quit"
Wonder If Plimsoll was with 'em.
How about the hawsses1 Can you
whistle Pronto backT
Reckon So" Sandy whistled shrilly
through his teeth. After minute he
repeated the call.
There came sound of pounding
hoofs. Then that Of others, coming
from the town.
"Better load up, Sam" said Sandy
grimly; 1--WE amt out Of this yet.
Thatrl be Jim Plimsoll's brother-in-
law. likely"
Here come our ponies"
As yet they could see nothing ad-
vancing, but horse whinnied from
the plain lying between them and the
Three Star.ro
@Pronto," said Sandy, showing car
tridges into his guns.
A body Of mounted men had come
out from town and ridden fast upon
the bridge. The foremost stopped
with an exclamation at the missing
boardA All wheeled in some confu-
: sion and slid their horses down into
the arroyo to scramble up the bank
again and spur for Sam and Sandy
just a. the pinto and the roam cur
veted up to their masters. The two
eowmen leaped for their seats, Sandy
temporarily sheathing one gun. They
faced the townsmen, who formed
half-circle about them.
"You, Sandy Bourke an Sam Man.
ning, stick up yore hands,"
You got good eyesight" returned
Sandy. whats the idee3 RI you
shoot don't miss. I'm holdin' tora5le
close ternight"
His tone was almost good-humored,
tolerant full Of confidence.
"You was shootin' in town limits.
Nay have killed someone. Ag'in the
law to shoot inside the Herefo'd line.
I'm goin' to take you in"
'sYou ARR Sandy's drawl was
charged with mockery. "How about
the Herefo'd men who stahted the fire
worltsf Ef you want our guns,
Sheriff, come an take 'em. First
come. first served"
There was no forward movement.
= man swore as his horse began to
dance.
"You 60 back an tell Jim Plimsoll
to do his own dirty wo'k. If he's got
any CUTS left TO tryin'. Me, I'm goln'
home"
The sheriff and his hastily gathered
band Of Irregular deputies, working
In the interests Of Plimsoll. knew,
with sufficient intimacy to endow
them with caution. the general record
Of Sandy Bourke and Soda Water
Sam. None Of them wanted to risk
Shot--and miss. Sandy would not.
Even a fatal wound might not pre-
vent him taking toll. Sam was almost
rs dangerous. They were politicians
rather than fighting men, every one
Of them. And they were tolerably
certain that Plimsoll had ambushed
the two. from the Three Star. The
sheriff clustered.
II amt through with you yit, Sandy
Bourke. know where to find you"
''You-all are goin' to have mighty
hard time Hndin' yo'se'f afteh election,
Sheriff, as 1t Ia. The cowmen amt
crazy about you. They might take
notion to escort you out Of the county
limits"
You're inside the town line. +"
Il won't be in two minutes. Git out
" our road" said Sandy. his voice
freezing In sudden contempt. He
roweled Pronto and, with Sam even
b the jump. they galloped through
the half.ring without opposition.
Horses wers neck-reined aside to let
them pass. Ths wind sang by them
Is they tangsuted of from the road.
A shot OF two announced the attempt
" sesas to save their own faces, but