Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-05-23
Pool Full
of Poisoned
Water
BY ANTHONY REIMERT

IN
"A had ridden grlmly after the fugl-
tive. 1t was not the first time he had
pursued him. The Nogales Kid had
broken jail three weeks before and
the sheriff had his work cut out for
him all over again.
Between these two men, the most
desperate outlaw the West had known
In years, and the celebrated thief
taker. there was sort OF grim chlv-
airy. Neither would take an unfair
advantage of the other. 1t was fa-
nous throughout the West, that in
verted kind of love that they bore
each other. Yet each would have shot
the other down unhesltatingly, In the
course Of business.
The Kid had been riding through
the Barren Lands for three days. He
was not far from the border now, and
once across II he would be safe. But
he would have to stop at the water
hole-the only one between the border
and his pursuer.
The water-hole was marked saline
on the maps, but though the water
was reputed to be undrlnkable the
sheriff knew that the Kid would have
to sample 1t. In no other way could
he reach the boundary. Salt as the
sea, the temptation would be lrreslsti-
BILE
And he-he, too, would have to
drink of that bitter water. He knew
that as he rode on, his wearied, thirst
ing pony achieving only the slowest
pace. No matter The Kid must be
in just as bad Ak. 1t was test
Of endurance. And both men lived
upon their nerves.
The sheriff was nearing the water
hole. He scanned the horizon Ha
Just as he had suspected. There was
the Kids horse, that black patch
against the white of the alkali, lying
down, perhaps dead. The Kid was
his The sheriff exuItantly drew his
six-gun and spurred his horse Into a
detected amble.
When he drew nearer the sheriff
saw the Kid. The sun was low In
the west, and II was impossible to mis-
take that little, elongated black patch
beside the water-hole. The sheriff
left his pony just beyond gun-range
and began running forward. At
distance Of hundred PAGES he flung
himself upon the ground.
He wriggled forward through the
alkali As he drew nearer he made
quite sure that the figure was that
of the Kid. He wondered why the
Kid did not open Ere, dead shot that
he was, or at least seek the advantage
Of the cover Of the big bowlder on the
further side Of the little pool. But
the Kid lay motionless.
Shamming, no doubt, to throw him
OFF his guard; but the Kid ought to
have known that the sheriff was too
old a hand to be taken in by that
maneuver. He continued to worm his
way forward his gun in his hand
ready to open FIRE. At the same time
he would take the Kid prisoner II pos
sible
A sudden thought came to him that
perhaps the Kid was asleep, worn out
after the fatigue of the long ride. The
Kid had never been caught mapping
yet. The sheriff remained on his
guard.
But now he was within twenty
PAGES, and the Kid lay on his back,
unmoving. The sheriff covered him.
He sprang to his feet.
Hands up, Kidw he beloved.
The Kid remained irresponslye.
Still covering him. the sheriff made
his way round the little pool toward
him.
The Kid lay ON his back, his open
eyes staring up at the blue sky. His
face was curiousy notified, and he
was breathing hard The sheriff saw
that he was almost at his end. He
removed the Kids belt with the pls-
tolls. and began examining the body
for a wound.
He turned the Kid over. There was
no wound. The sheriff was bewlldered.
What had happened to the Kid?
Clearly some disease must have at
tackled him, something malignant and
diabollcally quick In It's action.
But now torturing thirst beset
him. Al any cost he felt that he must
satisfy It, even with the brnckish wa
ter. II was desperately long ride
to the next pool. Only the utmost
resolution could carry him there.
He turned toward the pool But
suddenly faint cry from the Kid ar
rested him.
sheriff"
The sheriff turned. what Is II,
Kldf"
Don't drink that water, sheriff.
It's full OF arsenic" muttered the Kid,
az he lapsed into the final coma.