Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-26

visitor had tied his horse. The posse planned
to rush out from the tank and reach the horse
directly Lusk gave the signal
Presently the rancher duly appeared at the
opening. 1t transpired later that he had not
located the rifle and was merely strolling
around hoping to STUMBLE upon it, The posse,
however, mistook his movements for the pre-
arranged signal, leaped up and raced toward
the horse and tent. making a good deal Of
noise as they negotiated the barbed wire fence
round the pool.
when the stranger heard the barbed wire
sing" Lusk said afterward. "he glanced out Of
the tent and saw the enrushing posse
Did you do this?" he snarled at me- Then
he sprang out of the tent toward his horse
Rufus Thomas and the wanted" man
reached the wagon almost simultaneously
Surrender" shouted Thomas raising his
rife.
With that the stranger drew his pistol fred
az Thomas and ducked under the wagon to
reach his rife, which was on the saddle of the
pony tied to the opposite side. Thomas gun
snapped once-twice- times-but no
explosion followed, and-too late-he recalled
the warning the bystander at Carlsbad had
shouted to him. moment later the young
outlaws pistol spoke again, and Thomas fell
to the ground.
LuSk, who was completely unarmed so as
not to arouse the suspicion of his guest" had
meanwhile stepped outside the tent In order
to be clear Of the line of fire. But the stranger
had not finished with him. In a rage he
whlrled on the rancher. you old -i' he
roared savagey. You're the cause of tnis!"
Then came shot and Lusk felt a bullet scar
through his arm.
Shots were soon flying fast as Stewart and
Cantrell came into action the stranger lodging
this way and that and returning the fire. He
ran behind the tent rose, fired dropped out of
sight and then bobbed up again at a new
point to shoot once more. Cicero Stewards
r1ne cracked and the stranger fell fiat as
though shot dead. He was however merely
temporarily dazed by the bullet passing close to
his head and was up again in an instant but
this time with his hands raised. Thereupon
the posse ceased firing.
The outlaw came walking out with his arms
helo nigh and his empty pistol stuck in his
Waistband Sheriff Stewart advanced to hand
cum him. Directly they met however the
bandit dropped his arms, grabbed for the
sheriff's pistol with one hand and struck at
him with the other. But Stewart was a mower
1uI man and he thrust out his big fist and
knocked the bandit down. moment later
Cantrel ran up with cooked rifle and covered
the outlaw while the sheriff "hog-tied" him.
WHEN the battle first started the short OUT
law appeared on the crest of a hill half a
mile away. After watching for few minutes
ne loped OF southwark, returning about the
time the fight was over, leading the gray horse
that he and his partner had been in quest Of
The fellow on the brow of the hill looked the
situation over intently. evidently with field
glasses. Finally he waved his hat in a mock
ing adieu and, wheeling his horses, galloped
away over the rise.
The prisoner was placed on his horse and
both feet tied under the pony's belly to pre-
vent escape. Lusk and Thomas, the wounded
men, were put into a blackboard wagon and the
little procession set out for Carlsbad.