Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-12-29

The order to halt tCdS obcycd. just now. You wait there quietly for minute or two until the sergeant comes around with the patrol. He'll see to you.
 And then, as though the whole thing had been planned beforehand, out in the darkness to the north Feeny's voice was heard in low toned but sharp com mand:
 Patrol, halt! Close up there, Ken nedy. Where are you, No. 5?"
 And so, cool and confident as though he had dozen troopers at his back, Feeny came striding up to the spot.
 Whats the matter, senTy? Didn't I 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 Hummer 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 bullet for your cards. Quick now"
 Still another delay. The "prospeo- tors" seemed anxious to edge off into deeper darkness.
 If ye're not of that horse's back in 10 seconds, be jabcrs, I'll fire. So be lively" And as hls excitement rose so did Feeny's Irish.
 Four, five seconds ticked 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 the butt to his shoulder. There was a sudden sourry and scramble of horses hoofs, low voiced words of warning and mrEtered curse or two. Then leaped a tongue of fire into the night, and from the corral corner came a sharp report, followed by cry, a gurgle, a groan, then silence.
 My God! they've shot the majorn' 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 a dozen rapid, sputtering revolver shots, then vengeful howl and rush out on the plain. Feeny ran like deer on the trail of MT. Harvey, and in less time than it takes to tell it they came 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 sonic 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 a moment, running from point to point 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, MT. Dawes still guarded the safe. Then Harvey stepped through the narrow doorway to the eastern room.
 ''I have to borrow the lamp mo- ment. Fan,' he whispered. Now, lie still. We may have to stand siege awhile until father can reach us. '
 Two minutes more, bending low and with his last cartridge crammed int. he chamber of his carbine, Feeny tnrnod to make run for the ranch. Just as he came speeding in past the westwcrd wall the wooden shutter was hurl d open, and strange voice. loud. exu j. ant, strident. burst upon his ear.
 Come on, Pasqual! Come''-
 But the rest was lost in the roar of Feeny's ready weapon. The rude fa- eade of adobe blazed red one instant in the flash of the carbine, and the loud report went believing out across the plain. But within the ranch there vent up 3 vail of terror and dismay;