The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-03-14

that your sisters were captives. Who
could the man have been who personal
ed you:''
II don't know. I've heard Of him
once before. He is about my height
and build, but darker, they say, and
with more Of Mexico in his manner.
He has been to Tucson, but ! never
heard Of his masquerading over my
name until now, though ! have heard
Of the resem blance. He must have cop
led my writing, too. to so completely
fool father >
..Oh, that was a mere scrawl on soft
paper with broad, pointed pencil.
There was no time to scrutinize it close
ly,'' explained the major. Nov. Fee
ny, you re officer Of the guard. How
do you want to post,us?"
Its what, I've been thinking of, sir,
ever since Mr.. Harvey got in, and we've
no time to lose. We can't loophole
this adobe now, but we can barricade
the door Of these two rooms and stand
off a good sized gang. Mr.sHarvey will
of course want to be where he can look
after the ladies, but if can put one
of his men in the corral-one who can
be relied upon to shoot down any of
Moreno's 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 mustn't be any
thing behind which they can hide or
take shelter % And laying hold Of the
pole while willing hands manned the
spokes Feeny soon had the Concord and
the weather beaten ambulance safely
out of the way. Then came. a moment
of consultation as to which Of Harvey's
men would be best suited for the oner-
ous post opposite the enemy's door and
then a 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 huddling in
little group at the west end Of the low,
fat 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 8 window
there and this shutter over here, whis
pered the sergeant, indicating board
covered port in the westward wall.
They'll try to show a light perhaps.
Run around into the corral and smash
the first man that tries to come out.
I'll tend to any feller that shows 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 new,
girlies,'' he whispered. Lie still
Do not venture near it or the window
and don't be frightened. It looks as
though some of the Morales gang were
around here hoping to find the paymas-
ter unguarded. Well give them les
son they'll never forget if they attempt
to attack him.
For all answer Ruth Harvey only nes-
tied closer to her sister and clung to
her for courage and support. Paquita,
however, became amazonian at once.
Is there nothing can do, Ned? l
can't bear to lie here listening and tax
ing no part. Surely could shoot a pis
tol we'll enough.
"You can help us best and most by
lying fat and showing not so much as
a finger at the door. We can tend to
them, Fan It won't be long before fa-
ther and the troop come galloping back.
Don't show light, now, unless we
CALL"
Then he darted to the barroom.
'Are they coming?'' hailed the clerk
IN 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!"
muttered Feeny. There's no answer
from here ye'll get this night. Watch
out now. Some of 'em will try to
crawl up after little. -
But nearly FIVE minutes passed with
out other sign or sound. Then closer
in horse stamped and srorted. A
coarse Mexican voice muttered savage
oath. Feeny, crouching low, darted
into the darkness in the direction Of the
sound. Plummer and Harvey would
have restrained him, but it was too late.
He was gone before either could speak.
Then latch creaked and snapped be-
hind them, and slowly and cautiously
the wooden shutter began to open out
ward. In an instant Harvey had raised
his rifle and struck the resounding board