The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1912-04-17

elf. yet with less caution, until he
was ablesto peer about the corner oil
The cabin and dimly distinguish the
Dlanketed forms OF several men lying
close in against the side wall They
ested SO nearly together It was diff
suit to separate them in that dark.
ness, stars giving the only light, but
he finally determined their number at
tive, FIVE; the Mexican would make
TX, and there would surely be another
Guard posted out In the front-seven.
But there were eight horses down
here in the corral Then the eighth
nan--Hawley, without doubt-must
re in the cabin At the thought
Neith's teeth clinched, and he had TO
struggle to control his passion, But
no; that would never do; he must dis
cover first exactly where the girl was
ocated; after that they would attend
70 the ours. Before creeping back to
he others, he made quick examina-
ion along the rear OF the cabin, but
could And no visible point OF weak
aess. He tried to recall from memory
the nature of the lock on that back
door. but could remember nothing ex-
cept an ordinary wooden latch. II
ne could insert knife into the crack
that might very easily be dislodged.
40 drew his hunting knife for the at.
'empt, and. first glancing about, per-
ceived man creeping toward him It
proved to be Bristoe.
Fixed the greaser all right, cap,
and reckon he'll be quiet for an hour
or two, Look whar he slashed me;
struck pack O playin' keerds, er I'd
a got my ticket" The front OF his
blouse was cut wide open. and Keith
thought he perceived stain of blood.
"Pricked you as 1t was, didn't her"
Opened the skin. Thought the cuss
had given up. an got careless What's
round to the west?"
Keith's lips closed, his hand shut.
ting hard on the knife,
Five, and another out in front;
that leaves the eighth man inside.
Bring our fellows up closer, and post
mem where they can cover those Eel.
lows asleep, while make an effort at
breaking in here"
Bristoe crawled back like a snail
and confident the others would do their
part, Keith thrust his knife blade deep
into the narrow crack and began prob
ing after the latch. In spite OF all eau.
ton this effort caused slight noise,
and suddenly he started back at the
sound of woman's voice:
What do you want? | am armed.
and will fire through the door II you
do not go away"
His heart leaping with exultation.
Keith put his lips close to the crack.
Hope" he exclaimed as loudly as
he dared This is Keith; open the
door"
He could hear little smothered cry
break from her lips, and then the
sound of bar being hastily removed
An instant, and the door opened ST.
lently just wide enough to permit her
slender figure to slip through She
grasped him with her hands, turning
his face to the light OF the stars, and
he could feel her form tremble.
"oh. knew you would comel
knew you would comet" she sobbed, |
the words barely audible.
The mans lips set firmly, yet no
held her close to him. begging her
not to break down now
TITS all right, little girl" he said
we've got you safe, but
tiere is a fight to be attended to.
Come with me- must ask you ques.
ion or two"
He drew her back into the fringe of
pushes, placing her safely behind the
tack OF saddles She was not crying
my more, just clinging to him, as
hough she could never again bear to
ct him go
"oh, Jack, 1t is so good just ia feel
ou near again"
Yea. dear soothingly. and 1t In
,ood to hear you say Jack, but tell
ne one thing--is any one else in the
abin? Is Hawley here?''
NO, mo- He left us early the first
morning. l haven't either seen or
card OF him since. The men have
eft me alone since we got here; have
ad the cabin all to myself until to-
light have not suffered, only
lentally-from dread OF what they
Intended doing with me-until to-
light Three men rode In here just
efore sundown-two Mexicans and an
indian. One OF them was an awful
,oking old man. with scar on his
heck, and a face that made me shud
er. He didn't see me, but saw him
trough the window, and he had such
range eyes. All the men acted as
Tough they were afraid of him, and
heard him say he didn't care what
awley's orders were, he was going TO
eep inside; II the girl didn't like 1t
lie could take the other room. |
dnt know what to do-oh, | was SO
raid of him: but what he said gave
e an idea. and went into the back
lom, and put up a bar across the
,or, When he came in he tried the
,or: then he spoke through 1t, but ! s
,ver answered; and finally he lay
'wn and went to sleep. sat there :.
the dark so long, and when heard
'u7-I-l thought it must be some OF .
g others" i%