Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-03-01


simply got to stay "a hours all along
Of cock and bull story about some
stageload OF frightened women Il miles
back at ella Bend. It's plant, ma
jor. that's what | believe.
Old Plummer kicked the toe of his
shoe into the sandy soil and hung a
reflective head. II wish you hadn't
shut your eyes, " he drawled at length.
Il wouldn't, sir, if hadn't thought
you d keep yours open. You slept all
night, sir, You and Mr.. Dawes, while
rode alongside with finger on trigger
every minute.
Absorbed in their gloomy CONVERSE
ton, neither man noticed that the wood
en- shutter in the adobe wall close at
hand had been noiselessly opened from
within, Just an inch or two. Neither
knew, neither c2lld see that behind it. in
the gathering darkness of the short sum.
mer evening, shadowy form was
crouchiDg.
Then you think we must stay here,
do YOU" queried the paymaster.
Think? | know it. Why, the range
ahead is alive with Apaches, and we
cant stand en- off with only half Il
dozen men. Your clerks no count,
major.
Old Plummer stood irresolute. His
clerk, consumptive and broken down
relative, was Mt that moment lying
nervelcss on rude bunk within the
ranch bemoaning the fate that had i'm.
T..
health. He was indeed of little
"'count. - us the paymaster well knew.
After IA moment S painful thought the
words rose slowly to his lips:
We'll, perhaps you know best SC
here we stay till tomorrow night, OF at
least until they get back.
One could almost hear the whisper
in the deep recess of the retaining wall
---sibilant, gasping. Some one crouch
ing still farther back in the black
depths of the interior did hear.
Santa Maria!"
But when moment later the propri.
ctor 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 OF
gambling it was with an air of conf
Dental jovality that he whispered TO
the corporal in charge:
Our fren. the major, he riffuse me
sell you aguardientc-mescal, but wait
tonight.
"Oh. d-n it. Moreno, We'll he half
way to Stoneman by that time, " in
terruptcd the trooper quito savagely.
who's to know where we got the
stuff? Well make EN- believe Dono-
VAN squad brought it i'll from Ger
alvo's. Give Inc drink now anyhow,
you internal greaser; I'm all burnt out
with such 2 day as this. We've got tC
start the moment they get back, and
there won t be any time then"
Hush, caballero; they come not to.
night. You will rest here.
Why. how III blazes do you know"
"Softlv know not know
noting; yet, mira Il know They talk
long in the corral major and that
pig of sergeant-for him | snap my
finger. Look you,'' And Moreno
gave a flip indicative Of combined de
nance ana UlSudln.
Don't you count on his not finding
out, Moreno. It's all easy enough 80
far rs the majors concerned, but tina,
BLACKBOARD Fcony's different, | tell
You. He'd hear the gurglo of the
spigot if he were 10 miles across the
ella, and be here TO bust things before
you could serve out a gill-d-n
him! He's been keen enough to put
that psalm singing Yankee on guard
over your liquor. How are you going
to get ut it anyhow"
For an answer the Mexican placed
the forctinger of his left hand upon his
lips and with that of the right hand
pointed significantly to the hard beaten
carthen floor.
All, | have a mine" he whispered
You will not hetray, Ell: Shut!
Hush. He comes now"
The gruff voice Of Sergeant Feony
broke up the colloquy.
corporal Murphy, take what men
You have here and groom at once. Feed
and water too. Moreno, want sup
per cooked for eight in 80 minutes.
Drop those cards now, you men. You
should have been sleeping as ! told
you, SO as to be ready for work to-
aight.
"Shure we don't go tonight, ser
geant.
"Who says that" demanded Feeny
quickly, whirling upon his subordi-
mates. The corporal looked embarrassed
and turned to Moreno for support.
Moreno, profoundly calm, was as pro-
foundly oblivious.
Moreno there" began Murphy,
finding himself compelled to speak
~" gravely, courteously protested
the Mexican, with deprecatory shrug
of his shoulders and upward lift of eye
brow. ~ What know |: do but
gay the Corporal Donovan is not come,
How know 1 you go not out tonight: :"
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 be
ready, and it's me you Ii ask, not any