The Long Dim TrailHooker, Forrestine C. (Forrestine Cooper)
General
The Long Dim Trail
Hooker, Forrestine C. (Forrestine Cooper)
Arizona -- Fiction; Cowboys -- Fiction; Ranch life -- Fiction; Western stories
The figure on the bunk turned heavily, and Glendon's bloodshot eyes
glared in fury at his former comrade. He uttered no word. With a
peculiar expression Wentz returned to the office.
The deputy glanced up carelessly, and resumed his reading. Wentz passed
back of him and, with a swift movement, snatched the man's pistol from
the holster that hung on his hip, and struck him a stunning blow on the
head. The deputy dropped to the floor. Tying and gagging him, Wentz
secured the keys, then ran rapidly along the corridor, unlocking the
door of each cell until he reached Glendon's.
"Get up, Glen! Hurry!"
Already the escaping prisoners, including Alpaugh and the other
train-robbers, were rushing past. Glendon leaped to his feet bewildered.
"You--"
"Don't waste time, you fool! Some one may come!" said Wentz, pulling
Glendon through the door and keeping close at his heels as they reached
the street, having stopped only to pick up guns and cartridges in the
room where the deputy, now conscious but helpless, watched the
procession of escaping prisoners.
A number of cowponies were tied to the hitching-posts in the streets, as
is usual, while their owners were about town, or eating supper. These
were hastily mounted by the outlaws. The presence of a number of
horsemen galloping through the streets of Tombstone was too common a
sight at the County seat to cause curiosity or comment. The escaping
prisoners broke into small groups and left town in different directions,
to avoid any suspicion.
The fugitives had another advantage in the unusual darkness, not only
because of the hour, but, also, of the gathering black clouds that
presaged a storm at any moment. So, even those who might have recognized
the men in the daytime, would be apt to pass them without a second
glance in the dim light.
When the jailer returned from supper an hour later and discovered what
had happened, a posse was formed without delay. It divided into several
parties, that all roads might be covered as soon as possible; otherwise
the darkness and approaching storm would make pursuit practically
impossible until morning. By that time any trail made by the horses of
the fleeing men, would be completely obliterated, should it rain.
The band headed by the furious deputy who had been the victim of the
treachery, finally caught sight of Wentz and Glendon, who were keeping
together; and a rapid-fire duel began between the pursuers and
prisoners. The gait of the horses, the uncertain light, and the
intervening rocks about the outlying district of Tombstone, all favoured
the fugitives. A bullet brought down the horse Wentz was riding, pinning
the man under it as it fell. He struggled desperately to free himself.
Seeing capture was inevitable, the traitor lifted his pistol to his own
head--and the posse saw a flash.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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