The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1912-05-17

more horrible by its semblance to Va.
ter, yet never tempting them to stray
aside. After the first mile onversa
ton ceased, the men riding grimly.
silently forward, intent only on GOV.
ering all the distance possible. Late
that night they camped at the water
hole. sleeping n best they could.
scourged by the chill wind which
swept over them and dashed grit into
exposed faces. With the first a OF
dawn they swung stifened forms into
the saddles and rode on. straight az
the crow flies, for the Salt Fork. They
attained that stream at shutdown, gray
with sand dust. their faces streakeo
from Precipitation, feeling - though
the III 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 ana
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
l%oosened, the animals turned out to
Craze. and the men, s%natching a hasty
bite. flung themselves YEARLY on the
ground.
All but Fairbain were asleep when
Keith aroused them once more, a little
before nine, unable in his impotence
to brook longer delay. Within ten min
utes horses we're saddled. weApona
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 thar had been anticipated. and
Keith's watch was not yet at eleven.
when his eyes revealed the fact hat
they had reached the nea 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 n Of the
route Hands instinctively loosened
revolvers in readiness for action, the
younger of the Bar X" men whistling
l oO1tly III OIL ChOit w oPRSoA ~
cerned. Keith, with a 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
guard set, and there may be ,ne any
how. We cant afford to take chances,
for there will be Ave men,, at least. on
the island, and possibly several more
II 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 shao
d ow Of the corral. The first thing
want to do is to locats Miss Waite 81
she will be in no danger OF getting
hurt In the melee. You boys hold you
fire until let loose or give the word
Now, Doctor, l want you n Neb t
creep up this bank until you are di
rectly opposite the cabin-heG know
the spot-and lie there out OF sigh
until we begin the shooting. TheI
both sail in as fast as you can. III
take Bristoe and you two Bar X" mel
: along with me, and when We tur1
loose with our shooting irons you ca
all reckon the fight Ia on. Any Of 20
got questions to ask?"
No one said anything. the silence az
cented by the desert wind howlin
mournfully in the branches Of near-b
cottonwood.
All right then, boys, don't get e,
cited and go OF half cooked; be cas-
/. on your trigger fingers. Come alont
you fellows who are travelling wit
me-"
The four crossed the stream, wadin
to their waists In the water, thei
horses left punched on the south banl
MI and finally crawled out into a bunc
of MESQUITE. As they crept alon
through the darkness. whatever doub
Keith might have previously felt r
= garding the presence on the island Z
the party sought were dissipated by tn
unmistakable noise made by hume
Gus horses in the corral. Slowly. tes
lie ing each step as they advanced. 30 .
he sound should betray them. the fol-
III, men reached the shelter OF the stocI
90 ade. The older Of the Bar X" me
a lifted himself by his hands, an
in peered cautiously over.
ITO BE CONTINUED.)
ga Test for Water.
IT. 49, ;nlrIVv xvotnr mt NM tn