The Mena weekly star., 1911-11-30
Continued from Last Issue.)
CHAPTER xxxv.
The Cabin Taken.

hurried account OF Hopes release
from the cabin. and of what she had
to report
Its old Juan Sanchez In the front
room. boys" he added soberly, land
there is ten thousand dollars reward
out for him, dead or alive"
Joe Of the Bar x" drew in his
breath sharply.
"It1l sure be dead then" he NUT
tered. that cuss will never be got
no other way"
They went at 1t in the grim silent
manner OF the West wasting little
time, feeling no mercy. One by one
the unconscious sleepers were aroused,
each waking to find a steel barrel
pressing against his forehead, and to
hear a stern voice say ominously,
Not a move. Johnny yes. that's a
gun; now get up quietly, and step out
here" Resistance was useless, ano
The FIVE, rendered weaponless, were
herded back toward the corral They
all belonged to Hawley's outfit; one, a
black-whiskered surly brute Bristoe
remembered having seen in Sheridan.
There was no time to deal with them
then. and Bar X" man was placed
on guard, with orders to shoot at the
slightest suspicious movement.
The Indian, then. would be guarding
the front of the house. and Sanchez
sleeping inside. Well, the former
could be left alone; his chance OF es-
cape would be small enough with Fair,
balm and Neb on the opposite bank.
Old Sanchez was the villain they
wanted-dead or alive. With this in
view, and anxious to make a quick
lob of 1t, the three entered the back
room, and, revolvers in hand, CROPPED
their way across to the connecting
ioor. AS Hope had described. this
had been securely fastened by stout
wooden bar. Bristoe forced 1t from
he sockets. not without some slight
aoise, and Keith, crouching down at
one side, lifted the latch
Keep down low. boys" he eau
Toned. where he can't hit you"
With one quick push he flung the
ioor wide open. and red flash lit the
,oom. There were two sharp reports,
he bullets crashing into the wall be-
aind them. the sudden blaze of fame
revealing the front door open, and
with 1t the black outline of a mans
figure. Two Of the men fired in in |
slant response. leaping recklessly for |
ward, but were as quickly left behind |
IN the darkness, the outer door
slammed in their faces. Outside
there was a snarl of rage, another
shot, a fierce curse In Spanish; then
Keith flung the door wide open, and
ieaped down the step. AS he did so
he did so he struck body and fell
forward, his revolver knocked from
ais hand. Rising to his knees, the
sim light of the stars revealed man
already half across the stream. Sud
denly two sparks Of fire leaped forth
from the blackness of the opposite
bank, the man flung up his hand. stag
gered then went stumbling up the
stream knee deep In water. He made
dozen yards. Keeling as though
drunk, and fell forward, face down
across spit of sand. Keith stared
out at the black, motionless shape,
felt along the ground for his lost gun,
ana arose to his feet. Bristoe had
turned over the dead body at the
loot OF the steps, and was peering
down into the upturned face.
Its the Indian he said grimly.
Sanchez must a. mistook him fer
one of us. and shot the poor devil"
And Sanchez himself is out yonder |
nm thu. sand pit pit 4" and Keith pointed; |
then lifted his voice to make 1t carry |
across the stream. Come on over, !
Doctor, you and Neb. We've got the
gang Bring that body out there
along with you"
The Bar X" man waded out TO |
oeip. and the three together laid the
uead Mexican outlaw on the bank. be-
SIDE the Indian he had shot down In
nis effort to escape Keith stood for
moment bending low to look curl
ousiy into the dead facs--wrinkled, |
Scared, still featuring cruelty, the
'nin lips drawn back in q snarl What |
scenes of horror those eyes had gazed |
upon during fifty years OF crime; |
Wnat suffering of men. women, chill
wren; what deeds of rarine; what ex-
ampies OF merciless hate. Juan |
Ssnehez!--the very sound OF the name
made the blood run cold. Dead or
ahve! Well, they had him at last
uead; and the plainsman shuddered,
as he turned away.
laking Fairbain with him and has
NY reviewing late occurrences to him,
neith crossed over to the corral, real
i4ing that their work---his vork--was
not wholly done until Hawley had
oeen located. With this quest in mind
ne strobe straight TO the blackboard
"a giant who had guarded Hope from
Sheridan.
What is your namsY" he asked
harply.
Inc man looked up seowlins
Ratchet" he answered grufiy.
Wei, Hatchett, am going to ask
on question OF two. and advise you
o reply ivst about as straight as you
-hes how ! am in no mood tonight
or any foolishness Where Is rlaci /
sart Hawiey?"
aow in hell should know"
iod DO know, just the same Per
y ROT 20 an inch or a niic. bot 4