Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1912-12-27


ter. yet never tempting them to stray
aside. After the first mile converse.
ton ceased, the men riding grimiy,
silently forward, intent only on GOV.
ering all the distance possible. Late
that night they camped at the water
hole. sleeping as best they could,
scourged by the chill wind which
swept over them and dashed grit into
exposed faces. With the first gray OF
dawn they swung stiffened forms into
the saddles and rosie on, straight as
the crow flies, for the Salt Fork. They
attained that stream at shutdown, gray
with sand dust. their faces streaked
from perspiration, feeling as though
the sun rays had burned their brains.
with horses fairly Keeling under them.
According to Keith's calculation this
cattle-ford must be fully ten miles be-
low where the cabin sought was stu
ated; two hours rest. with water and
food, would put both horses and men
again in condition, and the travelling
was easier along the bank of the
Fork. With this in mind, cinches were
loosened, the animals turned out to
Craze, and the men, snatching hasty
bite, flung themselves YEARLY on the
ground.
All but Fairbain were asleep when
Keith aroused them once more, little
before nine, unable in his impotence
to brook longer delay. Within ten min
utes horses were saddled, weapons
looked to carefully, and the little party
began their advance through the dark
ness, moving cautiously over the I'M
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
Keiths watch was not yet at eleven,
when his eyes revealed the fact that
they had 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.
stantly 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-
cerned. 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 a
guard set, and there may be one any
how. We can't afford to take chances,
for there will be five men, at 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 do Is to locate Miss Waite so
she will be in no danger of getting
hurt in the melee. You boys hold your
fire until let loose or give the word.
Now, Doctor, want you and Neb to
creep up this bank until you are di-
rectly opposite the cabin-hell know
the spot-and lie there out of sight
until we begin the shooting. Then
both sail in as 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 nearby
cottonwood.
"All right then, boys, don't get ex-
cited and go off 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 bunch
of MESQUITE. AS they crept along
through the darkness, whatever doubts
Keith might have previously felt re-
earding the presence on the island or
the party sought were dissipated by the
unmistakable 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
ade. The older of the Bar x" men
lifted himself by his hands, and
peered cautiously over.
| (TO BE CONTINUED.)