Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-10-26


was easier along the bank of the
/, Fork. With this In mind. cinches were
loosened. the animals turned out tc
Craze, snd the men. snatchlng hasty
bite. flung themselves YEARLY on the
ground
All but Fairbaln were asleep when
Keith aroused them once more, little
before nine, unable in his impatience
to brock longer delay. Within ton min
utes horses we're saddled, weapons
looked to carefully, and the little party
began their advance through the dark
ness, moving cautiously over the un
even ground. assisted greatly by the
bright desert stars cleaning down up
on them from the cloudless sky over
head The distance proved somewhat
less than had been anticipated, and
Kcith's watch was not yet at eleven
when his eyes revealed the fact that
they he'd reached the near vicinity OF
the lonely island on which the cabin
stood Refining in his horse sharply
he swung to the ground. the others In.
SANITY following his example, realiz.
ing they had reached the end Of the
route. Hands instinctively loosened
revolvers in readiness for action. the
younger of the Bar X" men whistling
softly in an effort to appear uncon-
cerred. Keith, with gesture, gather.
ed them more closely about him.
"if Hawley is here himself" he said
quietly, watching their faces in the
starlight. he will certainly have q
guard set. and there may be one any
how. We cant afford to take chances
for there will be five men. al least, on
the island, and possibly several more
If they are looking for trouble they
will naturally expect it to come from
the north-consequently we'll make
our attack from the opposite direction
and creep in on them under the shad
ow of the corral. The first thing
want to 90 is to locate Miss Waite SC
she will be in no danger of getting
hurt III the melee You boys hold your
fire until let loose or give the word
Now. Doctor / want you and Neb to
creep I'D this bank until you are di
rectly opposite The cabin-he'll know
tho spc.-and lie there out Of sight
until we begin the shooting Then
both gail in az fast as you can. I'll
take Bristoe and you two Bar X" men
along with me, and when we turn
loose with our shooting irons you can
all reckon the fight is on. Any OF you
got questions to ask"
No one said anything, the silence ac-
cented by the desert wind bowling
mournfully in the branches OF near by
cottonwood
AN right then. boys, don't get ex-
cited and so or half cooked; be easy
on your trigger fingers. Come along.
you fellows who are travelling with
me-"
The four crossed the stream. wading
to their waists In the water, their
horses left punched on the south bank,
and finally crawled out into a bunch
OF mesquite. As they crept along
through the darkness. whatever doubts
Keith might have previously felt re-
gardng The presence on the island OF
the party sought were dissipated by the
unmistahable noise made by numer-
Gus horses in the corral. Slowly. test
ing each step as they advanced, so no
sound should betray them. the four
men reached the shelter of the stock
AIDE The older Of the Par Y" men
lifted himself by his hands, and
peered cautiously over.
Eight HOSES In thar" he an,
nounced soberly; then turned to
Keith Say, Jack, what do you figure
this shebans 10 be, anyhow? You
don't reckon it's cid Sanchez's outfit,
do YER"
Likely as not, Joe, though never
saw hin. around here"
Joe filed his cheek with tobacco.
staring about through the darkness.
Well, If that oil cuss Is yere now
we'uns Is sure in fer fight he COM
mented positively.
They rounded the corral fence on
hands and knees, crawled into bunch
of bushes somewhat to the rear or the
silent. dosolate-appeariug cabin, ana
lay down fiat behind pile OF saddles,
from which position they could plain
~ discern the rear door There was
no movement, no evidence anywhere
that living soul was about the place.
Keith coulo barely distinguish that It
was Bristoe lying next to him.
Had their camp over there in the
corner OF the corral when | was here
before he said in a whisper. Where
DO you suppose they can be now"
The wary scout lifted his head,
shining into the darkness like "A point
er dog
West O Their cabin thar. ont O ther
wind, most likely. | smell tobacco"
Even as the words left his lips 8
man came sauntering slowly around
the eastern corner, his outlines barely
visible. but the red glow OF q pipe
bowl showing plainly. He stopped. d.
rcctly facing them. yawnlng sleepily
and then turned the other corner
Another moment and they distinctly
heard voice:
hustle up thar now. Manuel, an
turn out; it's your watch: wake up
dam yer-m maybe thatll bring yet tel
ife"
The remedy applied to the sleeper
must have been eflicaciouS, as, an In
staht later another figure slouched
INTO view, the new arrival rubbing
his eyes with one hand. the otheI
clutching a short-barrelled gun. From
the high peak of his hat 1t was evi
dent this new guard was a Mexican