and strode down the street. "Can't help
it," he said to himself. "I'll play
a square game, if they haven't. I won't
see a man downed without a fair shake
if he has played me low."
He went to the shed where he had left
his horse, and led him out. He tightened
his cinches, carefully examined his big
Colts six-shooters, then mounted and
galloped away, leaving the trnil and
taking a shorter course across the prai
rie.
About an hour later he struck the trail
again on the crest of a little hill, and
reined in his panting horse. Before him
the ground sloped away to the gully
or "draw" known as Wa' `rhole creek,
and just where the trail crossed the ra-.
vine stood a thick bunch of willows. Be
neath these, as Nick well knew, were
hiding two or more desperate men-men
who would hesitate at nothing, well
armed and bent on robbery. And these
men he had come to capture, single
handed, to save an enemy!
Nick dismounted and hung his reins
on his saddle horn. "Hate to run you
into danger, old boy," he said, patting
the horse's neck, "but I've got to keel
'em looMin' this way. Go home, old fel
low. Steady, now," and the horsewalked
off down the trail. Nick loosened his
big, jingling spurs, and threw them b3
the roadside. Then he slipped awa3
down a small ravine which joined thee
creek just beyond the clump of wil.
lows.
