Motion Picture Magazine (Aug 1917-Feb 1918)

CAPTAIN SUNLIGHTS LAST RAID 85 "She aint in her room," said a maidservant of the hotel who had been sent to summon her. By this time the main room was filled with people. "I heard her say she was goin' out to the big spring," piped up a young boy who was slightly lame. "She wanted to take me with her, but I couldn't walk that far." "There's more than Miss Warned concerned in this," said the hotel-keeper quickly. "It's evident that this gent — what might your name be, stranger?" "Twitched — George Twitchell." "Has run into Cap'n Sunlight's band. While the posse is up in the hills huntin' him, they're goin' to raisl this settlement. What's to be done ?" Now, there was present an old frontiersman named John Piper who, having been shot in a border brawl years before, was unable to ride a horse and had therefore not been able to go with the posse. His courage was in no way impaired by his disability, and his mother-wit was as keen as ever. "This 'dobe hotel is the most defensible place in town," he said. "Its walls are thick enough to turn a bullet an', fortunately, it's got a tile roof on it, so they cant burn it over our heads." Indeed, the building now used as a hotel had formerly been a Spanish mission-house and had been built like a fortress. "We'd better gather all the wimmen an' children in the hotel an' hold it as long as we can. There'll be time enough to telegraph to the United States soldiers at Fort Maxey afore them raiders gits here They'd ought to be here in a few hours If any of the posse overlooks the valley from the hills they'll see what's happenin' an' they'll come back on the run.' "Which your advice is sure good !' said Stillson, the keeper of the hotel "We've got plenty of food an' w^ter They cant burn this hotel. It's "big enough for everybody an' " "Enough said!" interrupted Piper, who by general consent assumed command. "Run thru the town an' round up everybody, boys ! Bring 'em back here quick !" He turned to a half-grown lad. "Matt Rowland, you go to the station, tell the agent to telegraph to the commandin' officer at Fort Maxey that the town is about to be attacked in force by Cap'n Sunlight's band, an* we axes for the help of the soldiers, immejit!. There aint nobody here but the wimmen an' children, the posse bein' off in the hills huntin' the blackguard! You boys see that everybody gits in here as quick as possible. Them fellers'll be on us in a miniite !" "How about Miss Warned?" cried Twitchell. "You've got a big car there — .go git her an' fetch her back. That's the quickest way," returned Piper. "Where has she gone?" "If you'll take me, mister," said little Ned Bury, the lame boy, "I'll show you." "Come on !" said Twitchell, forcing his way thru the people already assembling, half leading, half carrying the little lame volunteer guide. "How far is it?" he asked as the two approached the car. ' 'Bout three miles, I reckon, sir." "Give us a ride, too !" shouted two boys, brothers, named Crompton. The car was big enough. Twitchell nodded, and the boys jumped in the tonneau. As Twitchell tore out of the plaza, a backward glance saw it filled with people running toward the hotel. Every boy big enough to carry one was armed with a rifle or pistol ; some of the women likewise. A few of them were bringing their most cherished and portable household possessions, but practically everything had to be left behind. It was quite evident that the raiders would easily burn up everything in the town, most of the houses being of the cheapest wooden variety. That would be a small matter, comparatively speaking, if the lives of the women and children were saved. The way over the prairie was rough and broken, and it was impossible to make much speed with the car. Twitchell had got but half the distance when the distant crackle of rifle-shots behind him told him that the raiders had arrived. Looking back from a high ridge a feumoments after, they could see already columns of smoke arising from some of the buildings which, as they contained little oi value for looting, had promptly been set on fire.