The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-17

Harvey's CHEEKY answer. Most Of C
troop, but we've other business on hand
just now. You wait there quietly for
minute or two until tho sergeant
comes around with the patrol. He'll
see to you.
And then, as though the whole thing
had been planned beforehand, out in
the darkness to the north Feeny's voice
was heard in low toned but sharp COM
mand:
Patrol, halt! Close up there, Ken
nedy. Where are you, No. 5?'
And SO, cool and confident us though
he had dozen troopers at his back,
Feeny came striding up to tho spot.
whats the matter, sentry? Didn't
l hear you parleying here with some
body?"
1.-Two strangers out there, sergeant,
say they'r prospectors and been jump
ed by Apachcs.
where away arc they?" Then in a
low tone, go you out beyond the cor
RAIL-" ho whispered to old Plummer.
There's four of them out there. Chal-
lenge if they try to como in" Then
aloud again, "Shure, don't SEQ any
thing, sentry
Right out ahead there, sergeant.
Two men, mounted"
Come down, one of ye Dismount
and come in here. Lave your gun be-
hind. 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 con-
sultation, and again Fccny spoke in a
tone more sharp and imperative:
"Dismount, one, 1 say. Come In
here, or I'll send bullet for your
cards. Quick now"
Still another delay. The "prospec-
tors" seemed anxious to edge off into
deeper darkness.
IF ye're not off that horses back in
10 seconds. be jabers, I'll fire. So be
lively" And as his excitement rose
SO did Fccny's Irish.
Four, five seconds licked by, and still
thero was no approach. Ficrccly, with
sharp emphasis, the sergeant brought
his carbine to full cock. Its aiming
l am, said he as he quickly raised
the butt to his shoulder. There was
Il sudden scurry and scramble of horses
hoofs, low voiced words of warning
and muttercd curse or two. Then
leaped tongue of fire into the night,
and from the corral corner came a sharp
report, followed by Il cry. gurglc,
groan, then silence.
My God they've shot the major"
exclaimed Harvey us he leapcd away
i'll the direction of the shot. At the
same moment away sped the two horse
men in front of the post. No use to
fire. They were shroudcd in thick
darkness and out of harm S way before
one could pull trigger. Then came two
flashes, two quick reports, then half
dozen rapid, suffering revolver shots,
then vengeful howl and rush out on
the plain. Fccny ran like a deer on
the trail of Mr.. Harvey, and in less time
than it takes to tell it they came upon
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 those blackguards yet, " NUT
tered Feeny as he took quick snap
shot Mt some dim object fitting across
the plain and sent another into the dark
ness, aiming vaguely where he could
hear the thud of horses hoofs. For a
moment, running from point to point
after each discharge, he kept up Il rapid
fusillade, under cover of which the hap
less paymaster was born swiftly away
around the corner of the ranch and car
ried 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.
Il have to borrow the lamp mo-
mcnt, Fan, he whispered Now, lie
still. We may have to stand siege
awhile until father can reach us.
Two minutes more, bending low and
with his last cartridge cramlncd into the
chamber Of his carbinc, Fceny turned to
make run for the ranch. Just as he
camo speeding in past the westward
wall the wooden shutter was hurled
open, and a strange voice, loud, exult-
ant, strident, burst upon his ear.
Come ON, Pasqual Come -
But the rest was lost in the roar of
feenys ready weapon. The rudo ia
cade of adobe blazed red one instant in
the flash Of the carbinc, and the loud
report went believing out across the
plain. But within the ranch there
went up Il wall of terror and dismay,
for Ramon Morales. shot through the
brain, was stretched lifclcss at the foot
OF Moreno and his shuddering wife.
And then Fecny. unscathed leaped
inside the barroom.
Now for it, men! Drag in those
two drunken brute bastcs,' he cried.
laying hold of Mullan's limp carcass.
Lug in wan of them water jars. Stick