Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-11-24

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them: indeed. II must be through u
miracle that they escape. II at all.
As the guerrillas advance they open
fire on the carriage with all manner
OF guns: so while this firing lasts II
is necessary for the defenders to lie
low. lest some OF the missiles that sing
| so lively tune. and snap splinters
from the framework above. ind n
more congenial Judgment within their
! bodies.
Smithers seems to realize that their
enemies are poorly provided with fire
arms. He believes they will speedily
exhaust their firc. when II may be
reasonably safe for himself and allies
to reply.
Just as he figured so IL comes to
pass. Tho shots. which dropped so
fast In the beginning. become more
scattered and about cease.
Now. give IL to thcm." ronrs
Smithers.
A gallant burst follows-hrc flashes
In spitcful sircaks from that side OF
the carriage.
Again they scatter. Ms before. lcav-
Ing portion OF their number on the
ground. but Jack notices n difference
In their actions. Tho majority dash
alongside the carriage. They are
thus out OF tho allies range unless
one darcs thrust his head and arm
outside. which action would be nj.
most suicidal.
Sounds are heard as of some one
pounding. They come from under
meath the carriage. and mystIfy even
Smithcrs for time. II In evident that
their enemies surround them. and
have even mounted TO the roof. Ms
they can be heard moving about.
The suspense In torture.
Smithcrs has kept ON guard. watch
Ing the opening: nor docs he watch
In vain. without warning. he sud
denly fires his pistol. and from the
fioundcrin. on the roof. together with
the terrible Spanish curses that cause
the girls TO clap their hands over their
ears. II seems positive that some
reckless fellow allowed curiosity to
get the better OF discretion when he
lowered his head In the attempt to In.
vcsiirata the Interior OF the carriage.
Jack can stand II no longer.
He already ima.!ncs he can hear
the cracking OF flames underneath tho
carriage. Something desperate must
be done.
''Scnor. assist me- In opening the
other door jus, wide enough TO allow
the passage Of my body" he says TO
Robiado.
"Carajo! what would You 0v. young
scnor7'' asks the Spaniard. while Jack
sees the girls rise TO their knees at
his words as though In alarm.
Something must be done immc-
diatciy. do not like to alarm the
ladies'. but I fear those wrctchcs mean
TO burn the carrlaEc-that they may
be even now starting fires underneath
u.s." returns Travcrs. quickly. dcs
pcratcly.
But tell me. how would your going
have any effect! They will shoot you
on sight. You are brave man.
senior. but We cannot afford to lose
YOU" declares Robiado.
Il must go. I believe I can change
our conditions. The light OF these
fires Is apt TO prove our ruin. See.
they are upon the curve: this other
my chances. Once out. senior. I can
send the carriage perhaps two hun
dred yards away from this fatal spot
''Alonc-you. senor?"
at is easy. tell you. There. you
have the door ready to open. I shall
GO
Senior. I see you are determined.
So goodbye. and Heaven protect you.''
says Roblado. squeezing his hand
Jack gravely wrinRs that OF Smith.
crs. for he hardly expects TO see him
again-at least. the chances are
against II.
Then. ms he turns to squeeze
through the narrow opening. he T.
stopped by the scnor's daughter. who
seizes his hand.
Sir. the Virgin guard you. This
night you may win that which you
prize above all else on earth. Jessie.
bid him Godspced." says the Spanish
girl. hastily.
Then Jack for the second time in
bis life holds the hand of his wife
IN his own. and ere he relcases II he
has pressed kiss there.
He dares iinger no longer. but filled
with high aspirations regarding the
desperate plan that has flashed upon
his mind. he slips through the narrow
opening.
Just as he feared. the crafty assail-
ants are endeavoring TO start new
blaze under the forward end. Their
diabolical intention is to have the
carriage afire. when those who have
twice given them such e warm recep.
ton must come forth to their fate or
roast in the flames.
Travers has chance TO put his
little plan into operation.
Creeping along beside the carriage.
he reaches the wheel where All Sin
placed the iron pin.
Much depends on his ability to with.