United States or Saudi Arabia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
These and other cries and threats were shouted by the mob. But Ted Strong said nothing. He was watching the struggle intently and quietly. He had no fear but that Ben would be able to hold his own. His great strength hardly matched that of Shan Rhue, who was a giant, and the most feared man in the Wichita Mountains.
When I do find her, if anything has harmed her, you, Shan Rhue, gambler, thief, and murderer, shall pay for it, and pay heavier than for any amusement you have had in all your miserable lying, thieving career." As the epithets addressed to Shan Rhue left Ted's lips, the bully sprang back, and made a motion to draw his six-shooter.
"Well, what is it you want?" asked Shan Rhue. "I want you to tell me where Stella is," said Ted. Shan Rhue stared at him in apparent amazement. "How should I know where she is?" asked Shan Rhue, with a wicked twinkling in his eye. "I don't know," answered Ted; "but I think you do know." "So I supposed, from the way in which you have had me followed. I suppose you miss her a good deal."
Evidently she was telling of the escape of Stella, for in an instant all sleep vanished and the place was full of men running about or staring up at the edge of the wall over which Stella had gone. Then Shan Rhue came forth, swearing horribly. He caught the old squaw by the arm and threw her down. "So you let the white squaw go, did you?" he asked. "And how much was you paid for it?"
But there are some pretty bad citizens in this section, who, if they never have rustled cattle, certainly are capable of it." "Alludin' to who?" "Well, there's Shan Rhue and his gang, for instance." "They're pretty bad actors, fer shore. But I ain't positive thet they're ther kind what would rustle. They're jest plain town thieves an' gamblers. They ain't cow-punchers.
They were men who bore the reputation of being cattle rustlers on provocation, and who had been suspected of horse stealing and other crimes. "We want that man," said Shan Rhue shortly and roughly. "Is that so?" said Ted, with feigned surprise. "Yes, that's so," was the surly reply. "Then why didn't you go out and get him?" "We left that to you," said Shan, with a nasty laugh.
"For the last time, give up that man!" commanded Shan Rhue. "No." "Then we'll take him." Kit had cut the old man's bonds, and thrust a revolver into his hand. "Fight for your life," he said. With a roar the mob was upon them. Revolvers were drawn, and as they rushed forward the dauntless three surrounded Norris three against fifty. "Halt!" cried Ted.
Ted saw his intention. It was to throw Shan Rhue against the railing, then spring away. Rhue evidently divined the same thing, for he struggled with all his force against it, striking Ben in the ribs and occasionally in the face. But his blows were not very effective, as Ben had him caught so closely that his blows lost their power. Thus the struggle went on for a few moments.
Later they discovered that Shan Rhue had recently registered in Colorado the Circle Dollar brand, and evidently it was his purpose to steal nearly all of the Circle S herd.
So sure was Rhue of landing on Ted and bearing him to the ground that he had leaped into the air, and, finding nothing to stop his progress, was overbalanced. A sweep of Ted's foot completed it, for the legs of the bully were swept from under him, and he went to the sod on his face with a crash that seemed to shake the earth. Like an eagle upon its prey, Ted was on the back of the bully.
Word Of The Day