Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-02-17


OF u cock and bull story about some
siagcload Of frightened women 15,n;Ies
back at ella Bend. les plant, ma
Jor; that's what believe"
Old Plsinrncr kicked the toe of his
shoe into the sandy soil and hung n
reflective head. II wish you hadn't
shut your eyes" he drawled 1T length.
II wouldn't, sir, if hadn't though.
you'd keep yours open. You slept all
night, sir, you and Mr.. Dawes. while
rode alongside with finger on trigger
every minnie"
Absorbed in their gloomy converse
ton, neither man noticed that the wood
en- shutter in the adobe wall close a.
hand Ind been noiselessly opened from
within, just IN inch or two. Neither
knew. neither could see that behind it, in
the gathering darkness OF the short sum,
mex evening, a shaeowy form was
crcuching.
Then you think we must stay here,
do you?" Gu9ried the pay1naster.
Think know it. Why, the range
ahead il alive with Apaches, and we
can't stand 'em off with only half a
dozen men. Your clerks no count,
major"
Old Plummcr stood irreso,utc. His
clerk. n consaInpt.ve and broken down
relative, was at that moment lying
nerveless on rude bunk within the
ranch. belnoaning The fate that had i'm
PEELED him 10 seek Arizona in search of
health. He was indeed of little
count, as tho payTnaster well knew.
After "A moments painful thought the
words rose slowly to his hps:
well. perhaps Won know best. so
here we stay till tomorrow night, or ut
least until they got back"
One couli almost hear the whisper
in the deep recess OF the retaining wall
-sibiiant. gasping. Some ono crouch
ing still farther bacl, in the black
depths OF the interior did hear.
Santa Mariar'
But when . moment later TIE propri-
oto- OF this roadside ranch. this arti-
fetal oasis in land OF desolation,
strollcd into the big bare room where
half n dozen troopers were DOING or
gambling it was with IN air of conf
Dental joviahty that he whispered %
the corporal in charge:
"Uur freh. the major. he riffase ne
sell you agJlardion,e-mescal, but wait
tonight"
oh. d-n it, Moreno, we'll be half
way 20 SLOVENIAN by that time" in
corrupted the trooper qaite savagely.
who's 90 know where we got the
stuff: We Il make 'cm believe Dano-
van = squad brought it ii from Ger
olvo's. Give IEe dT.Bl, nov. anyhow.
you internal greaseT; I'm oil burnt out
with such "A day Is this. We've got TO
start tue moment they get back, and
there Won't lie any time then"
Hush. cahClloro: they come not TO-
night. Nou VIII rest here"
Why, how l. hlazcs DO you know"
"Softly.-l know nos. / know
noting; yet, mira II know. Thcv talk
long in the CarTal-tho major and tiat
pig Of scrgoant-for him I SNAP my
finger. Lool, you'll" And Moreno
gave Zip indicative OF combined de-
fence and disdain.
Don { yOu C0unt on his not finding
out. Moreno. It's all easy enough so
far IS the majors concerned. but that
hlacliguard Fecry's different, toll
you. Bed hear tho gurclc OF the
spigot If lc wcre 10 miles across the
ella, and be here to bust things before
y0u could serve out Cill-d-n
him, fIe's been keen enough to put
that psalm singing Yankee ON guard
over your liquor. How are yen going
to get ut it anyhow"
For IN answer the Mexican placed
The foreGnggr Of his lett hand upon his
lips and with that of the right hand
pointed significantly 30 the hard beaten
caTthcn floor
"Ah, I have 4 rhine, he whispered.
"Iou VIII not betray. ch: Shut!
Hush, lie comes now.
Tho gruT voice Of Sergeant Feeny
broke up the oolloqry.
Corporal Murphy, take what men
You have here md groom ct once. Feed
and water too. Moreno, want sup
per cooked for eight in so minutes
Drop those cards row, you men. You
ehould have been sleeping as / told
you, so IS TO be ready Tor work to-
night"
"shuro we don't go tonight. SER
gcant."
"Vho says that?" demanded Feeny
quickly, whirling upon his subordi-
mates. Tho corporal locked embarrassed
aud turned TO Moreno for support.
Moreno. profoundly calm, was Us pro-
foundry oblivious.
Moreno there" began Murphy,
finding himself compelled to speak.
"!?" rravely. courteously protested
tho Mexican. with doprecatory shrug
OF his shoulders and upward lift of eye
brow. ~? What know 2 do but
say the Corporal Donovan is not come.
How know / you 60 not ont tonigit?''
Neither you nor the likes OF You
Knows" was Feeny's stern retort.
I'VE go when we will and no questions
asked. As for you. Murphy. you he
ready, and ;t's me you II ask, not any
outsider, when we go. I've had enough
10 swear at today without you fellows
playing of on me. Go or no go. no
liquor. mind you. Tho first man l
catch drinking IN tic by the thumbs