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

out OF tho way. Then camo n moment
Oh consultation as to which of Harvey's
men would DO best suited for the oner-
GUS post opposite tho enemy's door and
then sudden and breathlcss silence.
Llsten!' whispered Feeny. ''That
is n signal. Histl you'll hear it again
presently"
Grasping their rifles with nervous
nands, the five men stood budding in a
little group at the west end of tho low
fiat building.
Somewhere out on the dark expanso
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
hailng Tor reply. From whom could
answer be expected but Moreno?
Watch the old scoundrel's window
there and this shutter over here, "whis-
pered tho sergeant, indicating u board
covered port III the westward wall.
They ii try to show light perhaps.
Run around into the corral and smash
the first man that tries to come out.
I'll tend to any Teller that shows q head
hereabouts.
Harvey turned with his employee
and ran with him as 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 Lilo still.
Do not venture near it OF the window
and don't be frightened 1t looks as
though some Of the Morales gang were
around here hoping to find the payinas-
ter unguarded. Well give them les
son they'll never forget if they attempt
to attack him.
For all answer Ruth Harvey only ncS
tied closer to her sister and cluny
her for courage and support. PatI :;
| however, became amazonian at oii>v
Is there nothing l can do. Ned:
can't bear to lie here listening and tai:
ing no part. Surely / could shoot !, pis.
tol we'll enough"
You can help us best and most by
lying fiat and showing not so much us
finger at the door. We can tend to
them, Fan. 1t won't be long before ia
Their and the troop come galloping back.
Don't show II 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,
shrlllcr, clearer, tho whistle was re-
peated.
All, blow and be ID to vel"
muttercd Fecny. There's no answer
from here yell get this night. Watch
out now. Some of 'cm will try to
crawl up after little
But nearly five minutes passed with
out other sign or sound. Then closer
i'll horse stamped and snorted. 4
coarse Mexican voice muttcred Il savage
oath. Fceny, crouching low, dartcd
/ into the darkness in the direction of the
sound Plummcr and Harvey would
have restrained him. but it was too late
He was gone before either could speak.
| Then latch crcakcd and snapped be-
| hind them, and slowly and cautiously
the wooden shutter began to open out
ward. In an instant Harvey had raised
hisrifle and struck the resembling board
fierce blow with the butt The door
| flew back, crashing i'll violent contact
against the grizzled pate of Moreno
himself, who. with Il howl of mingled
rage and anguish. fell back from the
| aperture.
Open that again, and I'll blow your
head off, you scoundrcl!' growled Har-
vcy. 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 II second had the old Mexi-
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 lie
watchful eyes out upon the plain the
position of the ranch-possibly told
! them something more for in less than
half minute two horscmcn came loom
ing up out of tho darkness and cantcr-
ing fcarlcssly toward them. Phcgmat-
ic as he was, old Plummcr's nerves gave
IL twitch as, sharp and stern. young
Harvey challenged.
Halt there! Who are you? Halt!
OF we fire.
Friends. shouted one voice" Amer
leans, " tho other, rs promptly the or
der to halt was obcycd, tho trained
horses going almost on their Launches
under the cruel force Of the huge Alexi-
| can bit.
I'VE are seeking Moreno's, " contin-
I'D the first voice. Tho Apachcs
jumped our outfit just after sunset, and
we had to run for it
How many are there of you all
al Il LII II