The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1941-09-25
reckon he couldn't help that. "


called themselves, looked to their
cinches and mounted. From the
prong they wound up through the
pines into a country of open range
too wild for homesteaders. The
spread was too rocky and too hilly
to invite settlers. Presently they
would cross a mountain spur from
which they would drop down into a
district of gulches, rock rims, and
small valleys where at not too fire.
quent intervals few nesters and
cow thieves held the fort unmolest-
ed, except when posses from the
big ranches came hunting stock that
was missing. On Ellison's list were
the names of dozen men who lived
in this section. He and his allies
meant to wipe out as many of these
as they could in a few hours and
sweep on up to the neighborhood of
the big ranches, where they would
establish base for operations.
They struggled forward in no for
nation, Ellison and McFaddin in
the van. From long, rocky slope
park, not far from the summit,
saucer-shaped depression fringed on
the Tar side with jack pines. Just
beyond this was the backbone of the
spur they were climbing.
McFaddin lifted shout of warn
ing and whipped up his rife. Two
men had appeared on the rim and
started to ride down, but at sight of
the large company pulled up and
turned. One of them flung up a
hand in protest as the Flying v c
mans gun cracked. The echoes of
that shot rolled across the valley.
A sorrel horse stumbled and flung
his rider, then raced across the slope
with reins flying wild. The man
who had given the Indian peace
sign called to his companion. It
was almost as though the dismount-
ed man had bounced back from the
ground, so quickly was he on his
feet. He ran few steps along the
hillside and vaulted to the back of
the uninjured horse behind his
friend. Three or four Texans fired,
but the horse and its double load
reached the rim and vanished.
Giving the cowboys "Hi-yi-yippy-
vii" McFaddin brought his cow
pony to a canter and pursued. The
others followed him. From the sum-
NIT they looked down on a tangle
of huddled hills, little valleys, and
dark canyons. The terrain looked
like ideal cover for outlaws. A man
who knew the district might hide
for weeks in unsuspected pockets.
A roam horse, carrying two men,
was travelling fast down the side of
the spur but was already showing
signs of distress.
We've got 'em!" yelled McFad-
din. "Come on, boys"
Just ahead was a little clearing
with a log cabin on the edge of a
creek. A man had appeared from
behind it driving a few cattle. He
was at casual ease, in no hurry
whatever. At the sound of the roar
ing guns he swung his head, took in
the situation, and instantly forgot
there was such thing as leisure
in the world. While the fugitives
were still a good two hundred yards
distant he jumped his horse to a
galIop and vanished up a draw.
The hunted men flung themselves
from the back of the horse and ran
into the house. The door slammed
behind them. The pursuers dragged
their horses to a halt and many of
Them dismounted. Frightened by the
firing, the horse of the men in the
cabin splashed through the creek
and bolted.
Ellison took command. He named
four or FIVE men to follow the cow
man who had disappeared up the
ravine. The others he distributed
about the place, most of them in or
back of the barn, which was over
seventy-five yards from the house.
Several he stationed across the
brook in the brush near the edge Of
the clearing. A steady, intermit-
tent sniping centered on the cabin.
Already its windows were shattered.
The defenders had dug spaces in the
dry mud between the logs of the
walls, which they used as loopholes
for their guns. One had rifle.
Apparently the other was armed
only with revolver.
The door of the cabin opened
few inches and a hand came out
to wave white flag. A voice called
out something that was drowned in
nch r<f
and the rag were withdrawn, the
door shut and bolted.
why not let them surrender"
Gaines asked. Save us some time
and trouble
"Let 'em surrender and then hang
'em?" McFaddin asked harshly.
mo, by Jacksoni I won't stand for
that. If we're going to hang 'em
We'll have to dig 'em out.
1--WE don't even know they are
on our list" Collins said.
eve know damn well they are.
They are the same scalawags who
brought Turley's body back. If they
hadn't been rustlers they would
have held up their hands and let US
take them. Oughtn't to be
much trouble to collect them"
The forted man with the rife
served notice he was not to be taken
| too lightly. He wounded in the arm
a ranch foreman who exposed HIM
self rather carelessly. Ellison
| passed the word among his men
not to take any unnecessary
chances. A few moments later a
bullet tore through the calf of one
L &c 4Ln