Chapter XIII.
A MIDNIGHT RESCUE.
Suppressing their desire to know whither they were bound and upon what deed, Jim and John followed their brother and their chief, expecting the latter to disclose his plans as soon as they were out of hearing of their miserly uncle.
But the great outlaw was absorbed in his own thoughts, which were back in Monegaw Springs with his sister and friends who had stood by him so loyally and he wondered how they were faring, for he feared that either the townsfolk or the detectives, baffled in the attempt to catch him and his pals, might vent their spite on those who had made his escape possible.
And even when John begged him to keep his promise to tell them where they were bound, it was necessary for him to repeat his words before the bandit-chieftain heard them.
But when he did, he replied in grim tones:
"We're going to raid Forman A. Rozier's bank in Ste. Genevieve!" And he broke out into a fierce tirade against the banker, ending up with the subject about which he was thinking when interrupted.
Aware that his leader was deeply concerned about the welfare of Susie and the Priors, Cole sought to dispel his fears as best he could, yet, as he considered their position, he realized its dangers and soon lapsed into silence.
Trusting to the cover of night, the quartette rode along the highway which made a swing toward the health resort that had proved anything but healthy for them, as by doing so they could strike a road that would connect more directly with one running in the direction of Ste. Genevieve.
For now that he had made up his mind to loot his enemy's bank, he determined to travel by the most direct route to the town in which it was located. Yet before they arrived, it would be necessary for them to cross the State of Missouri, Ste. Genevieve being situated on the shore of the Mississippi river.
"It'll throw a shock into 'em to hear that we've raided old Rozier's shebang when they think we're hiding somewhere near the Springs," chuckled Jesse, all of a sudden.
"That it will," echoed Cole almost in the same breath and the latter continued: "They say it's a rich bank, too. Always has a hundred thousand or so in the vaults."
"So I understand," rejoined the great outlaw. "But it'll never have so much again. When we get through with it, people will be afraid to put their money in it. I mean to leave word that I shall raid it every year!
"Before I get through with that cur, Rozier, he'll be sorry he ever insulted me and then set detectives on my trail!"
The bitterness with which he uttered the words and the threat told how deeply the bank president's actions had cut the world-famous desperado. The disclosure so amazed his hearers that they were unable to make adequate comment and ere any occurred to them, their attention was distracted by the shrill neigh of a horse in front of them.
Not more than four miles from the Springs were the bandits when the startling sound broke on the air.
Visions of patrols and posses instantly flashed to their minds and they drew rein hurriedly.
"Into the bushes, lively! Everybody on the same side," snapped Jesse. "We'll just see who's riding so late at night."
But the desperadoes were entirely unprepared for the sight that met their eyes a few minutes after they had hidden themselves.
The spot Jesse had chosen from which to spy on the travellers was his favorite location for an ambuscade, a turn in the road.
As the dull pounding of the hoofs came nearer and nearer, the bandits peered eagerly from the protecting bushes, pistols in their hands for immediate use should their chief give the word.
But as they gazed at the highway, its white course seeming like some huge piece of ribbon stretched along the ground, they were amazed to see a girl and a man sweep around the bend, followed close by two more women.
Each of the three females was heavily veiled and wrapped in shawls that covered the saddles.
More than that the desperadoes could not see for the late riders were going at a fast gallop.
"Probably been to some party," commented Jim when they had disappeared up the road.
"They're mighty quiet if they have," declared John.
"Righto! They act more to me like people who are trying to escape from some one," interposed Jesse.
"Maybe they've heard we were in the neighbourhood and are keeping quiet so they won't attract us," suggested Cole.
"Non—" began his chief, then suddenly stopped, whistled low and gasped:
"By thunder! They may have been Sue and some of the Priors. Perhaps the people have made it so hot for them they've had to flee. Come on, we'll follow and find out!
"By the blood of my mother! If the citizens of the Springs have driven them out, we'll go back and shoot that burg up if we never do another thing!"
Yet before they could put the words into action they were treated to a second, and still greater, surprise.
The sound of fast running horses again fell on their ears from the direction whence the three women and man had come.
"Sit tight," whispered Jesse. "There's something in the wind. We'll follow when they get by."
Scarcely had the words left his lips than around the turn in the highway dashed six horsemen, rifles at a ready.
Fearful lest they hear the crackling of the bushes, the bandits waited till the hoof-beats were almost inaudible, then bounded into the roadway and gave chase.
Riding like fiends till they were within sight of the last group of equestrians, Jesse slowed down to a pace at which he could watch them from a safe distance.
For minutes, that seemed hours, the strange procession advanced, the first group in ignorance of the two behind it and the second unaware that it was followed.
Then, of a sudden, a voice from a horseman in the middle shouted:
"Halt, or we'll shoot!"
Rising in their stirrups the better to see, the desperadoes awaited the result of the command.
But instead of obeying, those in the lead only increased their speed.
There was a moment of intense silence.
Then a rifle cracked.
And before the report died away a woman's scream rang out.
"By the blood of my mother! That's Sue's voice!" gasped the world-famous outlaw. "After the devils, boys! We must get 'em before they can shoot again!
"If they've hurt my sister or the girls with her, their life-blood will pay for it!"
Roused by the cowardly shot at the helpless women, the Younger brothers sprang their horses after their leader, ranging themselves at his side when they had, with difficulty, overtaken him.
Having been prevented from shooting at their pursuers when they made their dash for liberty from the Prior farm by their lack of rifles, Jesse had lost no time in supplying the want when he had discovered the small arsenal possessed by Theodoric Snuffer, though his eagerness to purchase them compelled him to pay an exhorbitant price, and as they cut down the distance between the six horsemen and themselves, he ordered his companions to unsling the Winchesters from their shoulders.
The solitary shot, however, had been sufficient to cause the girls and their escort to draw rein.
"We've got to get 'em before they reach Sue and the others or we may hit them instead," hissed the great outlaw. "Rise in your stirrups! Ready; Fire!"
As the crash of the volley broke on the air, the six horsemen whirled in their saddles.
But before they could see whence the unexpected sound came, two of them toppled from their saddles while the horse of another fell in the roadway.
"Again!" yelled Jesse.
Yet in response to the second discharge of their rifles only one man fell.
"Steady, boys! Aim higher!" cautioned their chief. "One more volley and then we'll rush 'em!"
Recovering from the surprise of the attack, the remaining members of the middle group blazed away with their Winchesters.
"Out to the edge of the road!" commanded the bandit-chieftain, his voice sounding terrible in its fury.
Instantly his companions obeyed while the bullets whistled about them.
Though the move forced them to advance at a slower gait, it was a wise one, for their figures no longer loomed from the white roadbed, leaving their foes at a loss where to aim their rifles.
Incessantly the bandits pumped their rifles till only one of the six remained.
"Surrender, or we'll kill you!" shouted the world-famous desperado.
Unnerved by the slaughter of his comrades, the survivor gasped:
"All right. I do."
"Then drop your gun and throw up your hands," thundered the great outlaw and as the man obeyed, he burst into a laugh hideous in its uncanny hollowness.
Like a whirlwind, the bandits bore down upon the cowering creature.
"Keep him covered!" snapped the terrible desperado to his pals, then raising his voice yelled: "Don't be afraid Sue. It's only I."
As she heard her name, the girl scarcely believed her ears, then, urging her horse forward, she rode to meet her brother, crying:
"Oh, Jess! Is it really you!"
"Surest thing you know," returned the world-famous bandit. "Are you hurt, girlie? I heard your scream. That's how I recognized you."
"Not a scratch. It was the shock, I guess. It was so unexpected."
And unable to control her overwrought nerves she burst into tears.
"There, there, sis, don't cry. It's all right, so long as you're not hurt," soothed her brother, taking the trembling girl in his arms. "But it's a lucky thing. I happened to be in this vicinity."
Taking out his flask, Jesse ordered his sister to drink some of the brandy.
"It won't do any of the rest of you any harm to swallow some," he declared, turning to his sister's companions. "Who are you, anyhow?"
Forgetting her desire to faint in her eagerness to answer the question herself, Susie exclaimed:
"They're Marjorie and Helen—"
"And Jeff," hazarded the bandit-chieftain.
"No—o."
"Who, then?" demanded the great desperado, his voice harsh and stern.
"It's T—Tim."
"Tim Mason? What on earth's he doing here?"
"He—he came down to meet me," faltered his sister.
"Did your mother know he was coming down?"
But ere Susie could reply, Tim took the bull by the horns, exclaiming:
"She did not! But it's all right."
"Oh, is it? What would you think if your sis—"
"Wait till I finish," interrupted the fellow, hotly. "We came down here to be married."
The statement made, Tim rushed on, regardless of consequences: "We got tired of waiting for you to keep your promise of giving your consent to the wedding. And as Susie needs some one to protect her from the detectives who haunt the house because of your—"
"Take care," hissed Jesse. "I'm in no pleasant mood to-night." But as he caught the look of appeal cast him by his sister, his anger vanished and taking her head between his hands, he laughed: "So that was the cause of your coming to the Springs. Phew! An elopement!
"Jicky, but it must have been an awful shock to you when you saw Cole.
"You stood by like a trump, though, when we were caught in the house and I guess you are entitled to a reward.
"Come here, Tim. Give me your hand—that's it. Now take Sue's. There you are. You may have her, boy, but if I ever hear a word of complaint of your treatment of her, well—you'd better light out for the tall timber before I can hit your trail."
The dramatic scene of the betrothal, a lonely spot in the country, the starless canopy of heaven above, the white road against which was silhouetted the figure of the prisoner, hands above his head, his captors covering him with their rifles, the huddled bodies of the dead men at his feet, with no sounds save the creaking of the saddle leather and their own breathing to break the awesome silence of the night, impressed the actors profoundly.
From one to another they looked, the expressions on their faces proclaiming they were aware that but for the timely interference, bloody and terrible as it was, of the dread bandits they might even at that moment be lying in the places of the lifeless forms.
"Come, this is time for mirth, not tears," rallied Jesse. "Boys, pull out your flasks. We'll drink to the health and happiness of the future Mrs. and Mr. Timothy Mason."
The tension broken, everybody talked at once as the flasks were passed from one to another.
Brought back to their normal selves, the great outlaw asked the meaning of the flight from the Springs, to learn of the crowd's cry for the capture of the girls, their escape with the aid of Lawyer Perkins, their hiding in his house, his going to the station to meet Susie's lover at her request, the return of the man-hunters and the decision of Tim and the barrister that it would be best for the girls to leave the town under cover of the night.
Apprised of these points, the bandit-chieftain turned his attention to his captive.
Striding so close that their bodies almost touched, he rasped:
"Why did you follow the girls? How did you know they were riding?"
"W—we thought they were going to meet you. We were going to make them lead us to you and—"
"So that's why you shot at them, knowing they were women?" burst in the terrible bandit.
"We only did it to frighten 'em."
"You certainly succeeded—and their screams brought death to your fellows.
"Who were they?"
Quickly the fellow reeled off some names that Marjorie and Helen declared belonged to none of whom they had ever heard.
"Who sent you, Dillaby or old Rozier?" thundered Jesse.
"Neither. We were going to join a posse to patrol the town when we saw them ride from Lawyer Perkins' house."
"You're lying. I can tell by the sound of your voice," interrupted the world-famous desperado. "But it doesn't make any difference.
"After we've taken your weapons away from you, I'm going to send you back to the Springs.
"Now listen carefully. I want you to tell the people how you shot at three defenceless women, how we surprised you and what we did to your women-shooting companions.
"Tell them that if they ever try to harm a hair on the head of Jesse James' sister, he'll hound them to hell!"
During the awful threat, Cole and his brothers had removed the pistols, knives and cartridges from the prisoner's clothes and as the famous outlaw saw they had finished the task, he roared:
"Now go, you cur! Ride for your life! If we can see you in two minutes, we'll open fire at you! And don't forget to deliver my message!"
Ere the last words had been uttered, however, the man, who believed himself literally returned from the dead, whirled his horse and dashed madly back toward the Springs.
And as he rode, the mocking laughter of Jesse rang in his ears.