The Washington times., 1938-02-26

would you rather get shot?'
Cardowan drawled easily, and
swiveled a gun to the brake in
one corner.
For three long seconds, the
brake looked him in the eye, then
he said quietly, "Yes."
On the heel Of his word, Cardo,
wan let his left gun off. The
brake tried to cough, strangled on
it, then Slumped down into a sit
ting position on the platform. The
old woman moaned. Kate looked
at Cardowan, her face drawn in
horror, but Cardowan only smiled.
who else?" he drawled.
"I'll go over" one man said.
But may God rot your foul soul,
you black-hearted villain!"
This man climbed the rail, hold
ing onto the braking wheel, while
the others watched. He waited
a few seconds until the right of
way was a little less steep, then he
leaped to the side. His body
plummeted off, hit the slope,
somersaulted and rolled over and
over and down in a moil Of dust.
OLD WOMAN STAYS
| Everyone watched him. He
struggled to his feet and waved
encouragement to the others.
Next" Cardowan said briefly
The others followed. One by
one, cursing Carowan, they went
over.
| At last, there was only the
puncher, a solemn-faced young
man, with flashing black eyes, and
his old mother standing beside
Kate.
The puncher said, Are you 60
ing to make her Jump"
After you, mister" Cardowan
drawled coolly.
Then you'll shoot us both," the
old woman said stanchly.
CardoWan started to raise his
gun oblingly when Kate cried
You can't, you can't! She can't
stop you from doing what you
Want!"
You better Shoot" the puncher
said. He put his arm around the
old lady and drew her to him.
Cardowan hesitated, his face
unsmiling. Then he shrugged and
twisted his mouth into a meager
smile. Cali right, old woman. You
can stay on. But your son either
jumps or gets shot,"
Jump, son." the old lady said
quickly. "I'll be all right. Nothing
will happen to me-"
The boys bleak gaze settled on
Cardowan and he said hoarsely,
If you harm her you'll never
find the hideout I can't reach"
Go on, please Kate told him
quickly. go on!"
The puncher squeezed his moth
er'S arm, climbed the rail, went
over to the side, waited a moment,
then leaped clear. He rolled down
the long grade in a funnel of dust
and rock, but at the bottom he
was on his feet. He waved to
them.
TAKES BRAKES KEYS
Cardowan said, Come inside
now and sit in the end seat, both
of you."
They watched him pick up the
guns from the floor and fling them
through the windows. When his
inspection was finished, he passed
them and went out to the rear
platform. At the tarp-wrapped
bundles with their dusty foot
prints of the men who had stood
on them as they climbed the rail,
he only cast a casual glance.
Then he searched the pockets of
the brake for keys. He found
none, so he dumped the body over
the rail.
Inside, he found the brakes
coat and in the side pocket were
keys. He took them, saying. "Stay
here. I'm going up 'front.'"
AS a matter Of precaution, he
locked the front door of the car
swung across the link coupling,
and, switching the Colt to his left
hand, softly tried the door to the
baggage car. It was locked. He
tried key after key before he found
the right one, and then he turned
the lock softly and waited. Moth.
ing happened.
Now he drew his other gun, held
it ain his hand and reached for
the doorknob, twisted it, then
flung his weight against it. The
door flew open and he leaped n
side.
Two men were sitting down.
They looked at Cardowan indif.
ferently, thinking him the brake.
man, but when they saw the guns
they rose slowly, the light from
the window showing their faces as
they paled. Cardowan walked
over to them and said, "Howdy,
boys"
"I'll open that waysafe." one of
them offered. There amt
nothin' in it but change"
Don't bother" Cardowan said
mildly, looking around the car
He spotted the shotgun leaning
against the desk and maneuvered
around so that he was between it
and the men. Then he flipped
their guns out on the floor and
said, Go into the coach"
They obeyed. He prodded them
through Il. past Kate and the old