The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-03-08
CHAPTER w.

raid, the paymaster thought it only
right to release Moreno from the duress
in which Sergeant Feeny had placed
him. When so old an inhabitant of Ar
izona as Mr.. Harvey gave entire Gre
dence to the report, recognized the note
IS really his sons handiwork and has
teued at all speed to overtake the pur-
suers, what room for doubt could be
left in the mind Of a newcomer to the
soil? 1t was time, thought Plummer,
to form an alliance, offensive and defen-
sive, with the Mexican denizens of the
ranch against the enemy common to
both. But again Feeny shook his head
in solemn protest.
Il may have been wrong as to the
Apaches, sir, but l can't be mistaken
as to Moreno. He's in the pay of the
Morales brothers. even if not an active
member of the gang. He is lurking in
there now, I'll warrant you, with two
or three of them in hiding, waiting for
the coming of the main body. They'd
"a been here before this perhaps if it
hadn't been for the Apache story.
They re more afraid of one of Cochise's
band than of all the sheritfs from Tue
son to Tacoma. | wish the rest of Har-
vey's people would get here, he con-
tinued, looking longingly out into the
darkness Unless they are of better
stuff than most of these mule whackers
in the territory, you won't catch them
hustling out alone trying to find their
master this night. And yet what use
would they be to us?''
Plummer turned anxiously away and
gave himself up to thought. Nothing
but a faint glimmer now remained of
the beacon light. All was still as the
grave about the lonely ranch. Walking
over to the eastward door, he entered
the darF room and was instantly hailed
by IN. oice of his clerk
Yor re there, are you, Dawes?" he
asked. Not getting sleepy, hope" "
'Not whit, major Icouldn't, even
if hadn't slept most of the day. I'm
sitting here on the safe with Colt s six
shooter in each hand If old Moreno's
door cracks, by gad! I'll let drive"
Well, that's all right but suppose
they come around through the corral
to this door,
I'm ready. ! came within an ace
Of blazing away at you, but / happened
to recognize your figure and step just
in the nick of time.
A low whistle without broke up the
colloquy. Plummer waddled off in
the direction of the sound.
"What is it, sergeant?'
They're coming, sir. Harvey's
men, mean, Will you deliver his
message?"
Just as you say Why shouldn't
you?''
"It'll have so much more effect from
your lips, major. They may misdoubt
me.
Far out on the trail the quick trip
ping hoOfs of mules could now be
heard Presently horseman shot up
out of the gloom.
Halt there!' sang out Feeny.
Whose party's this?''
"Havey's, Tucson. Looking for
Moreno's. Are we near?''
You re there now, but you can't
stop. Mr.. Harvey wants you to come
right along after him. He has taken
the trail to the Christobal, where the
Indians have carried off his daughters. -
The man fairly reeled in his saddle,
shocked at the dreadful tidings.
when? How did it happen? Who's
gone with him -
Some time this morning, from all
we can learn. Two squads of cavalry
are on the trail, one with Ned Harvey,
the other just out from here at dark.
The old man aD1 Gaorra follo1ual thin,
as soon as they got in. Who's with
you?'
1.-Two Mexicans, that's all. They're
no account. I'd best leave them here
with the mules. They're just behind
and have been scared to death already"
And so in 10 minutes two more of
the low caste half breed Mexicans We're
added to the paymaster's garrison and
Sergeant Feeny's brief exposition of
the situation at the ranch only delayed
the incoming American long enough to
water his horse and stow little grain
in a sack.
Il wouldn't wonder a id bit
If the Morales gang were around here, ;"
was his discomforting assurance. None
of 'em have been seen about Tucson for
a week before we left. Wish l could
stay and stand by you, but my first duty
is with Mr.. Harvey. I've been in his
employ nigh onto eight years.
What sort of looking man is Ned
Harvey" persisted the sergeant, still
hopeful of some fraud.
Tall, dark, smooth face--iooks like
Spaniard, almost. / never saw any
body who resembled him hereabouts.
I'm afraid it's no plant. don't want
to offend you, sergeant, but ! wish to
God it was all the Morales gangs do
ings and that it was only your money
they Were after. If it's Apaches, and
they have got the old mans children,
he'll never get over it.
"By heaven!" muttered Feeny to
himself, as the loyal fellow put spurs
to his horse and disappeared; "by heav-
en-, begin to believe it's both.
And now with gloomy face the SER
geant returned to where he had left