New Britain herald., 1925-01-26
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BEGIN HERE TODAY

NOW GO ON WITH THE SIOHH
 Rainey was trying to persuade Daniels that it was foolish for him to throw In his destiny with theirs when he had taken no part in the attempt on the bank, but 1t was not hard for Buck to prove to Dud that he was wrong. There would be a mob trial and mob justice for every unwounded man taken from the stable that night.
 They turned back to their cap- tive, whose fear had little abated. They demanded to know the two best horses in the stable. He took them at once to the stalls. The prosperity of the town of Wickson was amply attested by the condition Of its leading livery stable. For there were fully thirty animals in the stalls and most of them were excellent mounts,
 There was no need for him to point out the best of the lot. A tall, wide shouldered roan, apparently capable of bearing even the bulk of Harry Gloster, and slender limbed little brown mare stood out head and shoulders above the rest. They saddled these and brought them back in silence. For it was plain that they had only one chance, and that chance was really a delusion. They must attempt to break out through the front or the rear en- trance to the stable and ride to liberty.
 It was, indetd. worse than hope less, for the street in front of the stable was lined with fine marks men, all grouped within easy range of the door of the stable. Ralney went to the rear of the building to explore and came back with the ie- port that the roof of every shed near the stable was thick with armed men,. Whether they tried the front or the rear exit, there was sure to be a flood of lead poured at them.
 It was agreed that the best thing for Joan was to leave her behind in the stable. After the attempt to escape, when the crowd invaded the stable itself they would find her and let her go.
 It was Rainey who thought of the strategy which gave them at least a ghost of a hope.
 whats the worst mark in the world to shoot at?" he asked.
 None of the others could answer.
 "What about a gang of horses stampedirg?"
 They nodded. Any man who had seen a mob of horses running wild. their heads packed full of fear, du hing on with mad impetus which would carry them with equal recklessness into a fence or over cliff, would have 10 agree that it was almost impossible to pick out one mark in the midst of the swirl ing, racing bodies.
 But what's that got to do with us?" asker Gloster.
 There's two horses here we have to ride" answered Rainey. But there are twenty-eight more. And twcnty-eight will make a pretty imitation of a stampede. Suppose we get them ready, put our horses in the middle, and then let go their halter ropes and give yell They'll be ready for fast work. Listen to them 3now."
 For the stable was in a growing turmoil. In every stall there was a fretting horse. They had smelled powder smoke. They had glimpsed. here and there through the cracks in the wall, the flashing of guns outside. And, above all. they had heard the battle shouts of men, which drive all animals into a frenzy of fear and excitement.
 It was done at once, They led oht the stamping, rearing. snortlng horses and gathered them four abreast in the driveway of the stable. Their lead ropes were tied together, which would keep them from scattering. In seven ranks they were ranged. In the center the riders would take their station and move with the mass, although al the imminent danger of having themselves bumped out of the sad dies.
 There was only one thing left, and that was to say goodby to Joan. She had not stirred or spoken since she took up her place at the side 1 of the great black horse. Buck Dam iels came to her first.
 Joan" he said, tonight will show you what a free life means. This is the sort of thing that 1t runs into. When a gent tries to run free and take his own way, he runs into hell early. There's only one smooth way of travelling, and that's to keep withrthe herd, the way they go. l ain't saying this with the hope Of changing your mind, but give 1t a .hink. Joan. There's something in it."
 She had listened impassNely her
 ,ide eyes fixed upon his face.
 Tt was all for my sake" she
 aid at last. There would have been none of this fl I hadn't left. And' oh - dad"
 She paused there on that old word, and 1t shook Buck Daniels as if she had been a man and struck him heavily.
 i ano,'t Sav That honey" he Bn-