The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-05
81 oxnaAT. 1898 BY oAARLES.klles

! hear you parleying here with some
body?"
1.-TWO strangers out there, sergeant,
say they're prospectors and been jump
ed by Apaches.
Where away are they?" Then in a
low tone, go you out beyond tho cor
ral," he whispered TO old Plummer.
There's four OF them out there. Chal-
lenge if they try to come in. !" Then
aloud again, "Shure, don't see any
thing, sentry"
Right out ahead there, sergeant.
Two men. mounted"
Come down, one of ye. Dismount
and come in here. Lave your gun be-
hind. Give your reins to your pal
there" was Feeny's next mandate.
There was moment of hesitation,
a faint sound Of whispering as though
the self styled prospectors were in con-
sultation. and again Feeny spoke in
tone more sharp and imperative:
"Dismount one, say. Come IN
here, or I'll send a bullet for your
cards. Quick now."
Still another delay. The "prospec-
tors" seemed anxious to edge off into
deeper darkness.
If ye're not off that horses back in
10 seconds. be jabers, I'll fire. So be
lively" And as his excitement rose
so did Feeny's Irish.
Four, five seconds licked by. and still
there was no approach. Fiercely, with
sharp emphasis, the sergeant brought
his carbine to full cock. Its aiming
am, said he as he quickly raised
tho butt to his shoulder. There was
sudden scurry and scramble Of horses
hoofs, low voiced words Of warning
and muttered curse or two Then
leaped tongue Of fire into the night,
and Nom the corral corner came sharp
report, followed by cry, gurgle,
groan, then silence.
MY God they've shot the major!'
exclaimed Harvey as he leaped away
in the direction of the shot. At the
same moment away sped the two horse
men in front of the post. No use to
fire. They were shrouded in thick
darkness and out of harms way before
one could pull trigger. Then came two
flashes, two quick reports, then half
dozen rapid, sputtering revolver shots,
then vengeful howl and rush ont on
the plain. Feeny ran like a deer on
the trail Of Mr.. Harvey, and in less time
than it takes to tell it they eame upon
the paymaster, sinking, shocked and
nerveless to the sandy soil, his hands
clasping on his side.
Pick him up, you and your man
there. Carry him into the ranch. I'll
bate back those blackguards yet, NUT
tered Feeny as he took quick snap
shot at some dim object fitting across
the plain and sent another into the dark
ness, aiming vaguely where he could
hear the thud Of horses hoofs. For
moment, running from point to poiut
after each discharge, he kept up rapid
fusillade, under cover of which the hap
less paymaster was born swiftly away
around the corner of the ranch and car
ried into the bar, where, wild with
anxiety, but faithful to his trust, Mr..
Dawes still guarded the safe. Then
Harvey stepped through the narrow
doorway to the eastern room.
Il have to borrow tho lamp mo-
ment, Fan," he whispered. Nov, lie
still. We may have to stand siege
awhile until father can reach u.s."
Two minutes more, bending low and
with his last cartridge crammed into the
chamber of his carbine. Feeny turned to
make run for the ranch. Just as he
came speeding in past the westward
wall the wooden shutter was hurled
open, and a strange voice, loud, exult-
ant, strident, burst upon his ear.
Come on, Pasquall Gomez
But the rest was lost in the roar of
Feeny's ready weapon. The rude fa-
cade of adobe blazed red one instant in
the flash Of the carbine, and the loud
report went believing out across tho
plain. But within tho ranch there
went mp wall of terror and dismay,
for Ramon Morales shot through tho
brain, was stretched lifeless at tho foot
of Moreno and his shuddering wife.
And then Feeny, unscathed, leaped
inside the barroom.
Now for it, menl Drag in those
two drunken brute bastes," he cried,
laying hold Of MHllan's limp carcass.
Lug in wan of them water jars. Stick
their Id heads into that trough
beyant. Now be lively. The whole
gang'll be on us in less than a minute.