The state herald., 1912-03-15

more horrible by Its semblance to wa.
ter, yet never tempting them to stray
aside. After the first mile converse.
tion ceased. the men riding grimly,
silently forward. intent only on COW
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 lashed grit into
exposed faces. With the first gray OF
dawn they swung stiffened torms into
the saddles and rode on. straight as
the crow flies. for the Salt Fork. They
attained that stream at sundown, gray
with sand dust. their faces streaked
from perspration. feeling as though
the sun rays had burned their brains
with horses fairly reeling under them
According to Keith's calculation this
cattle-ford must be fully ten miles be-
low where the cabin sought was situ.
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 a hasty
bite, flung themselves wearily on the
ground
All but Fairbain were asleep when
Keith aroused them once more. little
before nine. unable In his impatiencs
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 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
Keith's 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 lCosened
revolvers In readiness for action. the
younger OF the Bar X" men whistling
softly in an effort to appear uncon.
cerned. Keith. with a gesture. gather
ed them more closely about him.
III Hawley is here himself" he said
quietly. watching their faces In tho
starlight. he will certainly have
guard set. and there may be one any
how. We can't 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-consequenuy 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 10
creep up this bank until you are d.
rectly opposite the cabin-heu know
the spo,-and lie there out of sight
unul we Dtkln tuc hhootihk' ih'H
both sail In as fast as you can. III
take Bris,oe and you two Bar X men
along with me. and when We turn
loose with our shooting irons you can
all reckon the night is on. Any OF you
got questions to asky"
No one said anything. the silence ac-
cented by the desert wind bowling
mournfuliy In the branches OF nearby
cottonwood.
"Ail right then. boys. don't get cI'
cited and 20 on half cooked: be easy
on your trigger fingers. Come along.
you fellows who are travelling with
me"
The four crossed the stream. wading
10 their waists In the wh,er. their
horses lef, punched on the south bank.
and fnaiiy crawlcd out into bunch
OF mesquite. As they erept hlong
through tho darkneHs. whatever doubts
Keith might have previously felt re-
garding th. presence on the Island OF
the party sought were dlssipaied by tho
unmlstaknblo noise made by numcr'
ous horses In the corral Slowly. test
ing each step M they advanced, no no
sound should bctray them. the four
mon reached the shelter Of the stock
ade. The older OF tho Bar X" men
lifted himself by his hands. and
peerod cautiously over.