Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-04-10

much later in the day. Their horses
were feeding in the foothills two or
three miles distant.
Broadwater appraised the situation
at a glance. The boys were afoot and
he had a horse under him. He didn't
intend to lose the advantage.
Cooper and Ives hailed him as he
passed, urging him to wait until they
, could get their horses and they would
accompany him. They told him also
that road agents were abroad and it
would be safer if the three rode to-
gether. Broadwater replied that he was
in a hurry and that since his horse
was jaded with travel they would have
no trouble catching him
To dim their suspicious he alighted
from his horse and led him slowly up
steep hill, looking back during the as
cent and calling to them to get their
horses and overtake him.
His mount. now considerably IA
tigued, was favored by this device and
Broadwater needed every possible ad-
vantage to dig out of the hole he was
in. 1t was 20 miles to the second cross
ing of the Deer Lodge, where q
Frenchman named David Conway
lived. This was the nearest place Of
safety.
Casting another glance back when at
the summit of the hill, Broadwater saw
that Ives and Cooper were making
hasty preparations to pursue him. AS
soon as he was lost from their sight,
he remounted his horse and applying
the spurs vigorously, descended into
the broad valley.
His course lay over an open plain,
denuded Of trees and rank with prairie
vegetation. He left track that blind
man could follow. The clumps of will
lows along the course of the river we're
too small to afford even scanty shelter.
1t had to be case of beating the pur-
suit to the Frenchman,s ranch and his
horse, liable at any minute to give out.
responded to the urgency of the &C.
casion. under whip and spur, with
great reluctance
Ives and Cooper in Pursuit
When half way to his goal Broad
water looked back Amid a cloud of
dust, less than three miles away he
saw Ives and Cooper riding toward
him, apparently gaining rapidly. Bur-
dened with his riders weight. as well
as 80 pounds of gold dust. the faulter-
ing horse pressed on with waning
strength and Broadwater. expecting a
bullet in the back at every turn of the
trail, prayed that the race might be
won.
At length Contway's little lodge
peered above the willows. The horse
gathered together his remaining
strength at the sight The hurried
trample OF the pursuers could be plain
ly heard now. In a final, desperate eff
tort the horse summoned a burst Of
speed and dashed up to the door. fall
ing there on his arrival with complete
exhaustion.
Ives and Cooper, less than 50 rods
behind, reined their foaming horses to
walk and rode slowly up, while Broad
water removed the saddle from his
broken down animal.
well, you beat us on the ride" Ives
said.
Yes" replied Broadwater. you
must have had trouble catching your
horses. I travelled slowly at first, but
as you didn't come up, and I was
anxious to get through, afterward
hurried"
The GOODNESS of this exchange told |
neither party what was passing In the |
mind of the other.
Their horses were turned loose and
the three men partook alike Of the |
Frenchman's hospitality. But Broad
waters peril was not ended. Twenty |
miles remained between Contvay's |
place and Deer Lodge and how to
pass over 1t and keep the two bandits |