The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-06-11


something-all the Yaqui mozos had
left the house. There was no remain
ing servitor save an old woman and
the guard he had stationed at the
door. These were not OF the revolt
ing tribe. nor had they any sympa-
thy with them.
He slipped around to the door and
ran up the canyon. splashing through
the mud, reckless Of his white duck
suit. across the little stream and on
up the trail to the old tunnel Into
the dark opening he CROPPED. hastily
lighting matches as he went At the
second stop he paused, leaning breath
less against the wall and staring at an
open packing case.
They've found the cache and got
the rines-every last one OF theml
And all the cartridges. No. they've
left some" he added. bitterly, as he
stopped and picked up two glittering
brass capsules IN the light Of his
Pickering match. who told them
where the cache was? Oh. | might
have known Well. this is HE'LL"
And then he thought Of his deserted
guests and bolted back down the
trail. But nearing the concentrating
works he stepped to the open window
Of one of the sheds and called out:
MACPHERSON, ale you boys all right
in there?"
Silence.
'Macl Macl" he cried A cicada
grated shrilly in a corner. With a
sense Of something terrible impending.
Banning rushed into the shed. struck
a match. lit a candle, and by the light
saw the seven Americans who had
been the mainstays at the mines ly-
ing stifny in their hunks. The
machetes had done theis work quietly.
He ran from the shed back to the
house and appeared before Nesbitt and
Card something quite the reverse of
the cool trim figure in white that
had left them ten minutes before.
There's few mustangs left in the
corral" said Banning. saw 'em as
came past there. Now, the best
thing you folks can do is to take the
trail right away. You get to Gomez
tonight III help you down there.
and the Rurals viii see you to the
railroad tomorrow. know it's hard
work on top of all the riding you've
done, but We couldn't stand lie siege
here"
AS he helped Muriel on her horse,
Banning looked at her with the gnaw-
ing hunger OF love denied and the
uneasiness Of a devouring concern. In
the sharp, cold light of danger, the
mask Of conventonality fell and she
saw him her lover Of old. And as he
mounted and led the way down the
canyon, his rife barrel cleaning brave
ly in the moonlight. he was again
her true knight OF the old romaunt
She had no ear for Cards peevish
criticisms of the plan of escape nor
for his constant references to the
bad management" She rode behind
her father, Card bringing up the rear.
but her eyes were upon the alert. reso-
late man in white who led the way.
and her heart rode with him.
In an hour they had reached the
place where the Pajaro trail Joined
theirs. II was two hours ride to
Gomez, and the protection Of the
idling soldiery. But they were not
yet out OF Ell Inhernillo-the Little
He'll.
OF sudden there was a racket Of
hoofs from behind. dart Of fame, and
rifle ball spat itself upon a rock
near Banning's head.
There was brisk whirr OF shots,
and down rolled Muriel's mustang. In
stantly Banning was out Of the saddle.
Lifting her quickly on his horse. he
struck the animal with his bare hand.
and 1t would have leaped forward but
that she held it in check
Go on" he commanded. "Quickl
quickl"
But YOU" she cried. hoarsely.
What viii you doS Get up here with
me. Gomez HurIyl"
"oh. I'll be all right" he said. con-
fdently.
but they'll kin yOul You
mustn't"
For answer he struck her horse a
quick. sharp blow on the flank with
the stick At the same time her IA
ther, from the growing distance.
yelled aloud:
"Mul Mul For Gods sake hurry
upl Mul"
"GoOd-by. Muriel." said Banning.
grasping his rife.
She tried to hold IN the emaddenedmus-
tang while she called:
'.Good-by. know you are t0ing
this for mel know It; and remem-
Der, love you. love youl love
youl"
Her horse darted away and the graz
skirt was lost behind a turn Of the
trail. Banning raised his rife and
walked quietly behind a rock, a grim
smile upon his face.
who was that Greek chap that
stayed and held tbe pass?" he mused.
as his rife barrel lay along the top