John McLeod, wounded in the face, and trying to control his mount, used his shot- gun on the outlaws until he was hit again, this time in the leg. His horse had been hit three times. As Allan McLean reloaded his weapon, Palmer rode in, fired but missed. Shumway, unarmed, could only take cover.

Driven off, the posse made for Kamloops and spread the news. Immediately a large body of ranchers, cold-eyed and grim-lipped, started in pursuit of the killers. At the scene of the fight, they found Ussher’s body, frozen stiff and stripped of coat, boots and gloves.

DESPERADOES RUN AMUK

In the meantime, the McLeans, their blood lust stirred by the killing of Ussher, rode toward the Nicola country. Here and there they stole arms and ammunition from ranch houses. It was afterwards considered that they had in mind arming the Nicola Indians and inciting an armed Indian rebellion. This would give their pursuers plenty to do, and the McLeans could slip away to the upper country unnoticed.

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Riding through the frost-bound range land, the young half-breeds were full of bravado, even boasting to one rancher that

The cabin at Douglas Lake, where the outlaws sought refuge. Photo: B. C. Archives.

they had killed a police officer and showed Ussher’s handcuffs as proof.

Near Stump Lake they shot a shepherd named Kelly, not from any feeling of en- mity, but merely as a demonstration of marksmanship.

Kelly was sitting on a rocky ridge watch- ing his flock of sheep, when Charlie McLean spied him.

Charles McLean Photo: B. C. Archives.

“Til bet I could hit him from here, boasted Charlie to Archie.

“Tl bet you can’t,” sneered 15-year-ol Archie.

The answer was the report of Charlie’ rifle. Down the rocky incline tumbled th; body of the lone sheep watcher. ;

Hare rode over and, turning the bod over, took the dead man’s watch and chain

Meantime word of the outrages had beer relayed through the interior, police head quarters at Victoria had been advised anc Attorney-General G. A. Walkem conferrec with Superintendent of Provincial Polic Charles Todd. Carefully the Superintend ent laid his plans for the capture of the mer who had challenged the force. Const Lindsay was instructed to move in from Barkerville to Cache Creek, there to join Const. Tunstall, and the pair spurred their horses toward the Nicola. Posses of ‘cow- punchers moved in from every direction and, eventually, escape cut off, the McLeans were besieged in a cabin at Douglas Lake. After a few days of desultory shooting, they surrendered, lack of food and water hastening their capture.

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Page Thirty-eight

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THE SHOULDER STRAP