Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-12-28

lamp showed there. The westward apartments, opening only one into another and thence into the corral, were still as the night and even when Q shutter was slowly pushed from within, as though the occupants craved moro air, no gleam of light came through.
 Don't show your ugly mug out here, Moreno" cautioned Feeny for the fourth or fifth time, "'and warn any d-d cutthroat with you to keep in hiding. The man who attempts to come out gets bullet through him."
 There had been shrill protestation in Mexican Spanish and Sonora Moreno's strident tones when first he conveyed his erders to the master of the ranch, but Moreno himself had made no audible reply, and, as was conjectured, had enjoined silence on his wife, for after that outbreak she spoke no more.
 five got this approach covered any how, muttered the veteran. Now if I only had men to watch those doors into the corral, could pen Moreno and whatever he has here at his back. It's that gang of hell hounds we passed at Ceralvo's that will pay us a call before morning, or I'm q duffer.''
 Once again he found the paymaster wearily, anxiously patrolling his self assumed post out beyond the westward wall. The presence of common danger, the staff officials forgetfulness of self and his funds in his determination to aid the wretched women whom he firmly believed to have been run off by the Apaches, had won from the sergeant the tribute of more respectful demean- or, even though he held the story of the raid to be an out and out lie.
 Any signs or sounds yet, sir?' he questioned in untitled tone.
 Why, I thought-just a moment ago-I heard something like the crack of whip far out there on the plain. "
 That's mighty strange, sir; no stage is due coming east until tomorrow night, and no stage would dare pull out on this stretch in face of the warning there at Picacho."
 Well, it may have been imagina- tion. My nerves are all unused to this sort of thing. How do you work this affair when you want to reload, sergeant? I'm blessed if l understand it. never carried a revolver before in my life.
 Feeny took the glistening, nickel plated Smith & Wesson, clicked the hammer to the safety notch, tested the cylinder springs, and touching the lever showed his superior by the feel rather than sight how the perfect me chanism was made to turn on its hinge and thrust the emptied shells from their chamber.
 The Lord grant we may have no -s, I doubt the whole situation. That fire's beginning to wear itself out already, and any minute look to hear the hoof beats of the Morales gang. surround ing us here on every side. If they only hold off tlll toward morning and can brace up these two poor devils they'v poisoned, we can stand 'em off awhile until our fellows begin to come back or Lieutenant Drummond hears of the gathering.
 And do you still believe there are no ApaChcs in this business" :" asked the major.
 Not out north or west, sir; they re thick enough ahead in the Santa Maria. but not to the north. not to the vest cant believe that. Those Morales fel- lows know everything that is going on. They knew that just about this time Ned Harvey was expected along escort ing his sisters home. They knew you had never seen him and could easily be made to believe the story. Every thing has been done to hold us back, first at Ceralvo's and afterward here, until they could gather all their gang in force sufficient to attack, then Hist listen. There's hoofs now. No. not out there, the other way, from the Tucson road. east. God grant it's some of our fellows coming back :! Keep watch here, major; I'll run out and challenge.
 Hastily picking up q carbine as he passed the door, Feeny ran nimbly out across the sandy barren, disappearing in the darkness to the southeast. Old Hummer s heart beat like a hammer as he listened for the hail. A moment more he could hear hoof beats and tho voices of men in low tones; then, low toned, too, but sharp and stern, Feenv s challenge rose upon the night: Who comes there?"
 Instantly the invisible party halted, surprised, but with the promptness born | of frontier experience back came the answer:
 Friends.
 Who arc you and where fron7''
 George Harvey and party from Tue son, looking for Morcno's Who are you?"
 United States cavalry on escort duty. How many in your party?"
 Only two here. We were delayed by Apache signs in the Santa Maria. The rest are somo miles behind with relay mules. Are we near the ranch Whats that light out to the west?" | Never mind that now. Dismount and come up alone, Mir. Harvey. must recognize you first ''
 Feeny wanted to gain time. His brain was whirling. Here was partial confirmation of the story told by the alleged Ned Harvey in the morning. Here was the father coming with guard and relay mules to meet his children just as their morning visitor declared he was expected to do. Was il possible after all that the tale was true-that the children were there at the Gila, making wide detour around Ceralvo's and taking the northward route around that i'll favored ranch? If so, what awful tidings had he to breakl Stout soldier that he was, Feeny felt that he was trembling from head to foot. Up through the gloom strode n tall figure, fearless and confident.
 There's no Irishman ill all the Mo rales gang, laughed the coming man, "and know a cavalryman's challenge when hear it, and so honor it at once, Where are you, sentry:"
 Here; this way. answered Feeny, standing erect and peering sharply through the gloom. I've never met