Beadles Boys Library of Sport, Story and Adventure, Vol. I, No. 1. | Page 4

behind him, rising some eight feet, and he had ensconced
himself upon a log that had been drifting down the stream in a freshet,
and lodged there.
Back from him, bordering the little creek ran the trail to the nearest
town, and along this rode two persons.
The quick ear of the boy heard hoof-falls, and glancing quickly over the
bank he saw three horsemen approaching, and one of these he
recognized as Hugh Hall his rival.
Just back of Billy was a grove of cottonwood trees, and here the men
halted for a short rest in the shade, and all they said distinctly reached
the boy's ears.
"I tell you, pards," said Hugh Hall, "I cannot longer delay then, so if old
Vennor refuses to let me have Nannie I'll just take her."
"The best way, Hugh; but what about the wife that's now on your trail?"
asked one.
"What care I for her, after I have run off with Nannie?"
"But she'll blow on you to old man Vennor."
"I do not care. I'll deny it to Nannie, say the woman is crazy, and one
by one the family will drop off until she only remains, and then she'll
get the property."
"You are sure it's coming to 'em, Hugh?" asked one.
"I am so sure that I drew up the will of Vennor's brother four years ago,
when I was practicing law in Chicago."
"He may have changed his mind."
"Nonsense; he died shortly after, and the will says if Richard Vennor
was not found, and the fortune turned over to him, within five years
after Robert Vennor's death, the fortune was to go to charity.

"Now I kept the secret dark, came out to look up Richard Vennor, and
having found him, shall marry his daughter and get all!"
"Your wife will give you trouble."
"I wish you to get rid of her then, and I'll pay well for it."
"We'll do the job, and help you all we can," said one, and the second
one of the pair whom Billy did not recognize, echoed his comrade's
sentiments.
"Well, Hugh, we found Lucy was trailing you, and hearing you was
about to strike it rich, concluded we'd come and post you for old
friendship's sake."
"And I'll pay you for it; but we must not be seen together, so I'll wait
here while you ride on to Leavenworth, and in an hour I'll follow you."
This agreement seemed satisfactory, and two horsemen rode away,
after a few more words, while Hugh Hall threw himself down upon the
grass to rest.
For awhile Billy Cody was very nervous at what he had heard; but he
soon grew calm, and having waited until he knew the two men were
more than a mile away, he cautiously stood up upon the log and
glanced over the bank.
Hugh Hall was fast asleep, and his horse was feeding near.
Noiselessly Billy drew himself upon the bank and approached the man,
his faithful revolver held in his hand.
"I wonder if it would be wrong if I killed him, when he is such a
villain!" he muttered.
"Yes, I won't do it; but I'll make him go straight to Mr. Vennor and I'll
tell him all I heard.
"Here, Hugh Hall, farmer Vennor wants to see you."

The man sprung to his feet, his hand upon his revolver.
But Billy had taken the precaution to get behind a tree, and had the
drop on his rival.
"Oh, it's you, you accursed imp of Satan," cried the man angrily.
"Yes, it's me, and I want you to go to Mr. Vennor, for I'm going to tell
him all I heard you say," said the boy boldly.
Hugh Hall knew Billy's reputation as a fearless boy and a sure shot, and
he saw that he was in great danger; but he said quietly:
"Well, I was going to the farmer's and we'll ride together."
"No, I'll ride and you'll walk, for I came down the stream fishing to-day,
and haven't got my pony."
As quick as a flash the man then drew his pistol, and firing, the bullet
cut the bark off the tree just above the boy's head.
Instantly however Billy returned the shot, and the revolver of Hugh
Hall fell from his hand, for his arm was broken; but he picked it up
quickly and leveled it with his left, and two shots came together.
Billy's hat was turned half round on his head, showing how true was the
aim of his foe, while his bullet found a target in the body of Hugh Hall.
With a groan he sunk upon the ground, and springing to his side, Billy
found him gasping fearfully for breath.
"I am sorry, Hugh Hall, but you made