Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-03-22


The ordcr to matt 1rdS oJcycd.
just now. You wait there quietly for
minute or two until the sergeant
comes around with tho 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
needy. Where are you, No. 81"
And so, cool and confident as though
he had dozen troopers at his back,
Feeny came striding up to the spot
whats the matter, sentry: Didn
! hear you parleying here with some
bodv?"
1.-Two strangers out there, sergeant,
say they're prospectors and been jump
ed by Apaches.
Where away arc they" Then in
low tone, $50 you out beyond the COR
rail-" he whispered to old Plummcr.
There four Of them out there. Chal-
lenge if they try to come in. :" Then
aloud again, "Shure, don see any
thing, sentry"
Right out ahead there, sergeant.
Two men, mounted"
Come down, one of We. Dismount
and come in here. Lave your gun be-
hind. Give your reins to your pal
there, " was Feeny's next mandate.
There WAS a moment of hesitation,
a faint sound Of whispering as though
the self styled prospectors We're in con-
s1ltation, and again Feenv spoke in
tone more sharp and imperative:
Dismount, one, | say. Come in
here, or I'll send a 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 lie
lively" And as his excitement rose
SO did Feeny's Irish
Four, five seconds licked by, and still
there was no approach. Fiercely, with
sharp emphasis, the sergeant brought
his carbine to full cock. Its aiming
/ am, " said he as he quickly raised
he butt to his shoulder There was
/ sudden scurry and scramble of horses
hoofs, low voiced words of warning
and muttered curse or two. Then
eaped tongue of fire into the night,
and from the corral corner came a sharp
report, followed by a cry, gurgle,
groan, then silence.
My God they've shot the major"
exclaimed Harvey as he leaped away
III 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 shrouded III thick
darkness and out Of harm $ way before
one could pull trigger. Then came two
flashes, two quick reports, then half a
dozen rapid, suffering revolver shots,
then IA vengeful howl and rush ont on
the plain, Feeny ran like deer on
the trail of Mr.. Harvey, and in less time
than it takes to tell it they came upon
tho paymaster, sinking shocked and
nerveless to the sandy soil, his aands
clasping on his side.
Pick him up, you and your essR
there. Carry him into the ranch. III
bate back those blackguards yet, "nut-
tered Feeny as he took quick snap
shot at 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
moment, running from point to point
after each discharge, he kept up rapid
fusilladc, under cover of which the hap
less paymaster was born swiftly away
around the corner of the ranch and car
ried into tho bar, where, wild with
anxiety, but faithful to his trust, Mr..
Dawes still guarded tho safe. Then
Harvey stepped through tho narrow
doorway to the eastern room.
Il have to borrow the lamp mo-
ment, 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 crammed into tho |
chamber of his carbinc, Fecny turned to
make run for tho ranch. just as he |
came 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 ,
Feeny's ready weapon. The rude fa-
l.. IA. L