The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-05
CHAPTER III-Continued.

"You can help us best and most by
lying fat and showing not so much as
finger Mt tho door. We can tend to
them, Fan. 1t won't be long before ia
ther and the troop come galloping back.
Don't show light, now, unless we
call"
Then he darted to the barroom.
Are they coming?" hailed the clerk
IN hoarse whisper.
Somebody signalcd 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 bc d-d 10 yep
muttcred Feeny There's no answer
from here ye'll get this night. Watch
out now. Some of 'em will try to
crawl up after little"
Bot nearly five minutes passed with
ont other sign or sound. Then closer
in q horse stamped and snorted. A
coarse Mexican voice muttered a savage
oath. Feeny, crouching low, darted
into the darkness in the direction of the
sound. Plummer and Harvey would
have restrained him, but it was too late
He was gone before either could speak
Then 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 rifle and struck the resounding board
fierce blow with the butt. The door
few back. crashing in violent contact
against the grizxled 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 off, 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"
Only for a second had the old Mexi-
cans head appeared, only an instant
had he for plea or protestation, but that
instant had served to show a narrow
streak of light from the room within,
and this mere crack revealed to the
watchful eyes out upon tho plain the
position of the ranch--possibly told
them something more, for in less than
half minute two horsemen came loom
ing up ont Of the darkness and canter-
ing fearlessly toward them. Phlegmat-
ic as he was, old Plummer' s nerves gave
a twitch as, sharp and stern, young
Harvey challenged.
Halt therel Who are you? Haiti
or we fire."
Friends, shouted one voice, Amer
leans, the other, as promptly the or
der to halt was obeyed, the trained
horses going almost on their launches
under the cruel force of the huge Mexi-
can bit.
1--WE are seeking Moreno's," contin-
ued the first voice. "The Apaches
jumped our outfit just after sunset, and
we had to run for it.
"How many are there of you all
told?" demanded Harvey.
"Only us two. We're partners, pros
pecting. Been down toward the Sono-
ra line. For the Lords sake, gentle
men, don't keep us ont here. We've
lost everything we've had--packs, pack
ers and grub. We're about dead beat
for drink and something to eat"
"What do you think Of this, major?"
whispered Harvey. "Those are Amer
leans sure"
"Well, I'd let 'em in," said the ma
jor, "but where the devils Feenyr
He's the best judge, really. Their story
may be all true. They may be alone"
II don't know--it isn't likely. You
heard that voice out there q moment
ago. That was Mexican beyond any
doubt. We've got to stand those fell
lows off till we hear from Feeny."
Then, raising his voice, Harvey called:
"Just stay where you arc a moment.
You're all right perhaps, but our
guards have orders to be on the lookout
for Morales and his gang, and you
might get shot by mistake"
"Well for Gods sake, turn out your
men, if you've got any, and help MS
catch Il ese numbering thieves" was
tho imp ltient reply. "How many are
you?"
"Oh there's plenty of us here" was
Harve Is CHEEKY answeg. Most OF Q
troor but we've other business on hand
CD 90 90