The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1893-06-08

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"CoME ON, PAsQUALEl COME"
Fivef" And so cool and confident
as though he had dozen troopers at
his back, Feeny came striding up to
the spot.
"Whst's the matter, sentry 7
Didn't | hear you parleying here
with somebody
"Two strangers out there, ser
geant; say they are prospectors and
been jumped by Apaches. y
"Hwere away are theyf" Then
in low tone, "Go you out beyond the
corral" he whispered to old Plum
mer. There's four of them out
there. Challenge if they try to come
in" Then aloud again, "Shure. |
don't see anything, sentry"
"Right out ahead, there, SER
geant. Two men, mounted. "
"Come down, one of ye. Dis
mount and come in here. Lave
your gun behind. Give your reins
to your pal there was Feeny's next
mandate.
There was moment of hesitation,
faint sound of whispering, as
though the self-styled prospectors
were in consultation, 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 "pros-
pectors" seemed anxious to edge off
into deeper darkness.
eff we're not off that horses back
in ten seconds, be jabbers, III fire,
so be lively" And as his excite
ment rose so did Feeny's Irish.
Four-fve seconds licked by, and
still there was no approach. Fierce
ly, with sharp emphasis the SER
geant brought his carbine TO full
cock. "It's aiming | am said he
as he quickly raised the butt to his
shoulder. There was a sudden
scurry and scramble of horses
hoofs, low-voiced words of warning
and a muttered curse or two. Then
leaped 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 ma
ior," exclaimed Harvey, as he leaped
away in the direction of the shot.
AT the same moment away sped the
two horsemen 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
then half dozen rapid,
sputtering revolver shots, then a
vengeful howl and rush out on the
plain. Feeny ran like deer on the
trail of Mr.. Harvey, and in less time
than it takes to tell it they came up
on 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 these blackguards yet, "
muttered Feeny, as he took quick
snap shot at some dim object fitting
across the plain ana sent another
into the darkness, aiming vaguely
where he could hear the thud of
horses hoofs. For a moment, run
ming from point to point after each
he kept up rapid fusil-
lade, under cover of which the hap
less paymaster was borne swiftly
away around the corner of the ranch
and carried 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.
81 have to borrow the lamp mo-
ment, Fam" he whispered. "Now
lie still. We may have to stand a
siege awhile until father can reach
is. ("
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
past the westward wall the wooden
shutter was hurled open strange
voice, loud, exultant, strident, burst
upon his ear.
"Come on, Pasqusl Come"
But the rest was lost in the roar
of Feeny's ready weapon. The
rude facade of adobe blazed red one
instant in the flash Of the carbine,
and the loud report went believing
put across the plain. But within
The ranch there went up a wall of
error and dismay, for Ramon
Morales, shot through the brain,
was stretched lifeless at the feet of
Moreno and his shuddering wife.
And then Feeny, unscathed,
capped inside the bar-room.
"Now for it, men Drag in those
,wo drunken brutes haste, he
,ried, laying hold Of Mullan's limp
.areaas Ling in wan Of them