The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1893-06-08
Copyright. 1899, BY Charles KsHsJ
CHAPTER IV-CoNcLUDED.

"I'm going to close this door now,
girlies," he whispered. "Lie still.
Do not venture near it or the window,
and don't be frightened. 1t looks
as though some of the Morales gang
were around here, hoping to find the
paymaster uuguarded. Well give
them a lesson they'll never forget if
they attempt to attack him."
For all answer Ruth Harvey only
nestled closer to her sister and chung
to her for courage and support.
Paquita, however, became Amazon
ian at once.
sis there nothing l can do, Nedi
| can't bear to lie here listening and
taking no part. Surely l could shoot
pistol well enough"
"You can help us best and most
by lying fat and showing not so
much as a finger at the door. We
can tend to them, Fan. 1t won't
be long before father and the troop
come galloping back. Don't show a
light now unless we call" Then he
darted to the barroom.
"Are they comingi" hailed the
clerk in a hoarse " whisper.
Somebody signalled out on the
plain. It's probably they. Look
out for Moreno now; don't let him
or anybody through that door"
Far out on the desert again, loud
er, shriller, clearer, the whistle was
repeated.
"Ah, blow and be derned to vel"
muttered Feeny There's no an
swer from here YEN get this night.
Watch out now. Some of 'em will
try to crawl up after little. "
But nearly FIVE minutes passed
without other sign or sound. Then,
closer in, a horse stamped and
snorted a coarse Mexican voice
muttered a savage oath. Feeny,
crouching low, darted into the dark
ness ia the direction of the sound.
Plummer and Harvey would have
restrained him, but it was too late !;
he was gone before either could
speak. Then latch creaked and
snapped behind them and, slowly
and cautiously, the wooden shutter
began to open outward. In an in
slant Harvey had raised his rifle and
struck the resounding board a fierce
blow with the butt. The door flew
back, crashing in violent contact
against the grizzled pate of Moreno
himself, who, with howl of mingled
rage and anguish, fell back from the
aperture.
"Open that again and I'll blow
your head off, you scoundrel !"
growled Harvey. "Don't you dare
show hair nor hide outside your
room. Every man has orders to
shoot you on sight, if that's any
comfort to you"
Only for second had the old
Mexican's head appeared; only an
instant had he for a plea or protesta-
ton, but that instant had served to
show narrow streak of light from
the room within, and this mere crack
revealed to the watchful eyes out
upon the plain the position of the
ranch, possibly told them something
more, for in less than half minute
two horsemen came looming up out
of the darkness and eantering fear
lessly toward them. Phlegmatic as
he was, old Plummer's nerves gave
a twitch as, sharp and stern, young
Harvey challenged;
''Halt there Who are youf
Halt or we fire"
Friends" shouted one voice
d" Americans" the other, as
promptly the order to halt was
obeyed, the trained horses going
almost on their launches under the
cruel force OF the huge Mexican bit.
awe are seeking Moreno s." con-
tinuee the first voice. "The Apaches
jumped our outfit just after sunset
and we had to run for it. ="
GLOW many are there of you all
Ioldf" demanded Harvey.
"Only us two. We're partners,
prospecting; been down toward the
Sonora line. For the Lords sake,
gentlemen, don't keep us out here.
We've lost everything we had
packs, packers, AMI grub. We're
about dead beat for a drink and
to eat. "
fWhat do you think of this,
najori" whispered Harvey. "Those
ire Americans, sure.
"Well, I'd let 'em in" said the
major; "but where the devils
Feenyi He's the best Judge, really.
Their story may be all true. They
nay be alone"
81 don't know; it isn't likely.
You heard that voice out there a
ago that was Mexic an be-
Tond a doubt. We've got to stand
hose fellows off till we hear from
Neeny." Then, raising his voice,
Harvey called:
"Just stay where you are
moment. You're all right, perhaps,
nut our guards have orders to be on
he lookout for Morales and his
ang, and you might get shot by
"
''Well, for Gods sake turn cat
our men, if you've got any. and
clip us catch these numbering
1ieves, was the imp stient reply. !
How many are youP,
N0h fharaIo nla,&,, r. - ko.< -