256 OBSERVATIONS OF A RANCHWOMAN 



were bringing their devilish schemes to a 

 head. Determined to get rid of their rival, 

 they induced the Sheriff to issue a warrant 

 for his arrest, and served it on him them- 

 selves. Conscious of innocence, and anxious 

 at once to clear his character and comply 

 with the law, the young man left his home 

 in charge of Billy, and rode away with the 

 posse. 



It was night, and he was somewhat in 

 advance of his companions. Riding into a 

 hollow crossed by the trail, he was fired 

 upon by the men in his rear, and his body 

 abandoned to the crows and buzzards. 



From the moment that the news of the 

 tragedy reached the boy on the ranch, he 

 was transformed into an avenging demon. 

 So astutely had the murderers covered up 

 their tracks that the law was powerless, or 

 unwilling such things have been to reach 

 them. But the avenger of blood was behind. 

 Here, there, and everywhere the ' Holy 

 Terror ' swooped down upon them, and never 

 once was the boy known to miss his prey. 

 One after the other eighteen men fell to his 

 unerring gun. But by this time a regular 



