Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-13
CHAPTER XX-Continued.

CHAPTER XX-Continued.
They turned back to the chapel without
delay and sent out a hurry call for
ODare; bade the men there make all
speed to the stables. and, as soon as the
wondering Dennis had Joined them with
his sentries. followed without loss of time.
leaving the watch fires burning. their
house in order.
Even as they crept round the gallery
at the pit mouth they could see steam
rising from the nearer surface. which
babe fair to overflow before they could
win clear of the tunnel.
A hasty recount within the empty sta
bles showed that they were all there.
however and they crept away through
the darkness in indian file. Meggs and
Allardyce at the head of the hasty pro-
cesslon. O'Dare shepherding the rear
The leaders bore to the left where an
old maize plantation might afford them
stalks. They skirted that to its extrem-
ity. and cut at right angle along its
base toward the vertical wall of rock
which gave the horseshoe shape.
The Jingle of cavalry accouterments
came from afar to their ears. and. with
a whisper down the line. they dived back
into concealment lay down, with carbines
ready.
A strong patrol went past at walk
and stopped close by. 1t stayed there for
a space. the troopers talking in low tones
but loud enough to overhear.
Allardyce gathered from their chance
conversation that Corbyn had crossed
Alta Cruz. but had been captured on the
other side And that the rampant Tiger
was once more In power He heard them
curse their superiors for the unnecessary
watchfulness displayed at this late date;
assert with blasphemy that there was no
chance Of the remaining prisoners within
the Horseshoe winning escape, and de-
| clare their absolute Indifference as to
such a detail while there was treasure
waiting to be won on the plateau
A little later they went their way. and
the silent watchers withdrew the fingers
that had been lying alongside trigger
guards.
The moon rose ere these fugitives had
reached the shadow Of the encircling
precpice, and. as it's light swept the
great plain before them they saw for
themselves that they had got away in
time and no more.
The army of the ridge was crossing it in
extended order toward the hacienda. The
patrol they had passed vas part of its
half moon formation. All had been care
fully planned for the final decisive
struggle
With such incentive to spur them on
they made good speed.
"ThOse fellows weren't troopers of the
ly by the way to Meggs. THE revolution
has Joined forces with the government. 1t
seems. at this stage Of the game. Ybarras
offered them the treasure in the pit as
prize If they retake the hacienda. and l
don't think there will be many left upon
the ridge with that loot waiting.
What do you say If we try the water
gate?'
THAT was my idea." Meggs answered.
chucklng. IT hope they have some divers
nit TINA nd
then they will have difficulty in plumbing
the pit"
They reached the reservoir. and found
it almost dry, with an open sluice.
1.-The careless dog" said Allardyce, dis
gustedly. There doesn't seem to be
soldier left among them since Won Ru-
dolf died. poor fellow! And as for disci-
pline-I'l bet the guards gone off TO join
the pillagers. Cad! won't they look sick
when they find what's waiting themi''
1t turned out even as he had predicted
No one denied them entrance to the
empty river bed. down which they scram-
bled, and at the exit they found but
dying fire in token that the watch which
had been stationed there had not been
able to resist the temptation to join the
treasure seekers.
They passed the spot where they had
left their horses. and which was also
pursued their way on foot until 1t seemed
that they might safely call halt to ease
their laboring lungs. Whereafter they
pushed on for time in proper military
order. with scouts and point and rear
guard of able men, the main body in
valids.
These last were making valiant efforts
to keep pace with their more fortunate
fellows. but before long O'Dare had to
send word toward the front that one or
point. and slowed down when the mes
sage reached him. but even then the weak
and wounded were unaole to maintain
their places in the line of march.
He halted once more among the
shadows until the full force had come up
from behind, and held brief consultation
will his friends.
1t would have been waste Of time to re-
sumo their flight at the risk Of total
breakdown. Transport of some sort must
be provided for the unfortunate inval.ds.
He had concrete plan In his head
whereby that might be procured. He ex-
planned it to them, and. having over
borne their united protest against his
two out of the dozen volunteers to ac-
company him on his dangerous errand.
IF I'm not back in an hour don't wait
for me- he begged of Meggs and O'Dare.
Keep moving coast wards, however slow
ly. and-gOOd luck to YOU
They wrung his hand and let him go.
since needs must
He encountered no least sign of pur-
suit as he and his two assistants tramped
back along the dusty, deserted road which
led to the ridge 1t was evident that the
attacking enemy had SO far failed to dis
cover the flight of the defense
AS soon az he came within shouting
distance OF the cutting through which he
must gain ingress to the camp he left
his aggrieved companions in hiding.
under strict orders to rejoin the others
without a moments delay in case they
should hear him cry that he had been
caught and went on alone. trusting to
luck to see him safely through the guard
at the entrance.
And as luck would have It there was
but a single sentry on duty.
The armistice in force between the
rebels and the government. had afforded
excuse for the relaxation OF such assidu-
Gus precautions as had been needful pre-
viousiy.
Allardyce. parleying with the man.
found time TO observe that the guard
tents seemed to be empty. The wonder
full magnet hidden away in the heart of
the Golden Horseshoe had broken the
bonds Of discipline even more effectually
than he had dared to hope it might
He explained to the Indifferent native
that he and certain foot-sore troopers of
his command had been left by the way
side for lack of horses. and that he had
come on alone to take back mounts for
his men.
That plea was sufficiently plausible to
excuse his ignorance of the countersign,
and his travel-worn uniform stood him
in still better stead. He passed on stif1y
and entered the camp ITSELF turning as IL
by instinct toward the cavalry lines, no
ono eIsa Interfering with him.