Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-12-29

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 dle of cavalry blankets, left behind by the detachment when it took the trail, was spread out upon the earthen floor The safe was hauled into the empty barrooln, and bidding his sisters lie down and fear nothing, assuring them of their perfect safety there and urging them to sleep all they could against their move at dawn, Edward Harvey, looking well to his arms and bidding his two men to do likewise, came forth and joined his soldier friends.
 tThere are five of us now against Morales and his outfit, and I'll just bet my horse we can thrash 'em.
 "Only II o'clock" muttered old Hummer as he struck match and consulted his watch. Its been the longest evening I've ever spent; but, thank God, our worst fears are at an end. I never doubted for a moment that your sisters were captiyes. Who could the man have been who personat- ed you:'
 ''I don't know. I've heard of him once before. He is about my height and build, but darker, they say, and with more of Mexico in his manner. He has been to Tucson, but I never heard of his masquerading over my name until now, though have heard of the resemblance. He must have cop jed my writing, too, to so completely fool father. y
 "Oh, that was mere scrawl on soft paper with q broad, pointed pencil. There was no time to scrutinize it close ly," explained the major. 'Now, Fee ny, you're officer of the guard. How do you want to post us?"
 Its what I've been thinking of, sir, ever since MT. Harvey got in, and we've no time to lose. We can't loophole ! this adobe now, but we can barricade the door of these two rooms and stand off good sized gang. Mir. Harvey will of course want to be where he can look after the ladies, but if I can put one of his men in the corral-one who can be relied upon to shoot down any of Moreno's people who should try to come out-I think we can look out for the rest. Any minute now they'll be coming. First thing, run these two wag- ons around to the corral, so as to clear the approaches. There mustn't be any, thing behind which they can hide or take shelter. " And laying hold of the pole while willing hands manned the spokes Feeny soon had the Concord and the weather beaten ambulance safely out of the way. Then came a moment of consultation as to which of Harvey's men would be best suited for the oner- ous post opposite the enemy's door and then a sudden and breathless silence.
 Listen" ," whispered Feepy. That is signal. Hist! you'll hear it again presently.
 Grasping their rifles with nervous hands, the five men stood huddling in little group at the west end of the low, fiat building.
 Somewhere out on the dark expanse | toward the peak q long, low whistle, ending in an abrupt high note, had sounded. For a moment there was no repetition. The invisible foe was sig | naling for reply. From whom could answer be expected but Moreno?
 Watch the old scoundrel's window there and this shutter over. here, '' whis- pered the sergeant, indicating a board ! covered port in the westward wall. They'll try to show light perhaps. Run around into the corral and smash the first man that tries to come out. I'll tend to any feller that shows n head hereabouts.'
 Harvey turned with his employee and ran with him as far as the other end of the ranch. Here he entered the low doorway. The little lamp burned dimly, but two pairs of dark dilated eyes gleamel eagerly upon him.
 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. It looks as though some of the Morales gang were around here hoping to find the paymas- ter unguarded. Wen give them les son they'll never forget if they attempt | to attack him.
 For all answer Ruth Harvey only nes- tied closer to her sister and clung to her for courage and support. Paquita, however, became amazonian at once.
 Is there nothing can do, Ned? I can't bear to lie here listening and talk ing no part. Surely could shoot pis- tol well enough.
 'sYou can help us best and most by lying flat and showing not so much as a finger at the door. We can tend to them, Fan. It won't be long before fa- ther and the troop come galloping back. Don't show light, now, unless we call. g
 Then he darted to the barroom.
 "Are they coming?" hailed the clerk in a hoarse whisper.
 Somebody signaled out on the plain. It's probably they. Look out for More no- now. Don't let him or anybody through that door.
 | Far out on the desert again, louder, shriller, clearer, the whistle was re- peated.
 ''Ah, blow and be d-d to vel" muttered Feeny. There's no answer from here yell get this night. Watch out now. Some of 'em will try to crawl up after a little"
 But nearly five minutes passed with out other sign or sound. Then closer in horse stamped and snorted. A coarse Mexican voice muttered q savage oath. Feeny, crouching low, darted into the darkness in the direction of the sound. Hummer and Harvey would have restrained him, but it was too late. 1 He was gone before either could speak Then a latch creaked and snapped be- hind them, and slowly and cautiously the wooden shutter began to open out ward. In an instant Harvey had raised his rife and struck the resounding board l 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 of, you scoundrel.' growled Har- vey. 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 's