Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-03-10


nysyou're officer of the guard. How
do Won want to post us?'
It's what I've been thinking of. sir.
ever since Mr.. Harvey got in, and we We
no time to lose. We can't loophole
this adobe now, but we can barricade
the door OF these two rooms and stand
off good sized gang. Mr.. Harvey will
of course want to be where he can look
after the ladies' but il 1 can put one
of lis men in the corral--one who can
be relied upon to shoot down any OF
Morenos people who should try to
come out think we can look out for
the rest. Any minute now they'll be
coming. First thing, run these two wag-
ons around to the corral, so as TO clear
the approaches. There muslin he any,
thing behind which they can hide or
take SHELTER And laying hold of the
pole while willing hands manned the
spokes FeeTy soon had the Concord and
the weather beaten ambulance safely
out of the way. Then came moment
of consultation as to which of Harvey's
men would be best suited for the oner-
Gus post opposite the enemy's door and
then u sudden and breathless silence.
''Listen!'' whispered Feeny. That
is signal. Hist! you'll hear it again
presently
Grasping their rifles with nervous
hands, the five men stood budding in a
little group at the west end of the low,
fiat building.
Somewhere out on the dark expanse
, toward the peak a long, low whistle,
ending in an abrupt high note, had
sounded. For moment there was no
repetition. The invisible foe was sig
mailing for reply. From whom could
answer be expected but Moreno?
Watch the Old scoundrel's window
there and this shutter over here. s" whis-
pered the sergeant. indicating a board
covered port IN the westward wall.
They'll try to show light perhaps.
Run around into the corral and smash
! the first man that tries to come out.
III tend to any Teller that shows q head
hereabouts. -
Harvey turned with his employee
and ran with him rs far as the other
end of the ranch. Here he entered the
low doorway. The little lamp burned
dimly, but two pairs of dark dilated
eyes cleaned eagerly upon him.
I'm going to close this door now,
girlies," he whispered. Lie still.
Do not venture near it or the window
and don't be frightened. 1t looks as
| though some of the Morales gang We're
around here hoping to find the paynas-
ter unguarded. Well give them a les
son they'll never forget If they attemp.
to attack him
| For all answer Ruth Harvey only nes-
| fled closer to her sister and clung to
her for courage And support. Paquita,
however, becarie alnazonian at once.
is there nothing l can do. Ned?
can't bear 20 he here listening and talk
| ing no part. Surely could shoot pis-
toll wen enough.
"You can help us best and most by
lying fat and showing not so much as
finger at the door. We can tend to
them, Fan. 1t won't be long before IA
Their and the troop come salloping back.
Don't show u light, now, unless we
call. -
Then he darted to the barroom.
. are they coming?' hailed the clerk
| in q hoarse whisper.
Somebody signaled 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 be id to ye!''
ll--lttered Feeny. There's no answer
from here ven get this night. Watch
out now. Some Of EN- will try to
crawl up after little
! But nearly five minutes passed with
| out other sign or sound. Then closer
in q horse stamped and snorted. A
coarse Mexican voice muttered Il savage
oath. feeny. crouching low, darted
into the darkness in the direction of the
sound. Plunmer and Harvey would
have restrained him, but it was too late.
He was gone before either could speak
Then a latch creal1ed and snapped be-
hind them, and slowly and cautiously
the wooden shutter began to open out
ward In an instant Harvey had raised
| his rife and struck the resounding board
a fierce blow. with the butt. The door
flew back, crashing in violent contact
against the glizzled 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 OF, 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 Next
cans head appeared, only an instant
had he for plea or protcstation. but that
instant had served to show narrow
streak of light from the room within,
and this mere crack revealed to the
watchful eyes out upon the plain the
position Of the ranch-possibly told
them something more, for in less than
half minute two horsemen came loom
ing up out of the darkness and canter.
ing fearlessly toward them. Phlegmat-
&c as he was. old Plummer's nerves gave
a twitch as, sharp and stern, young
|