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

| Tho Four Crossed the Stream. Wad-
1 Ing to Their Waists In the Water.
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-he'll know
the spot-and lie there out OF sight
until we begin the shooting Then
both sail In as fast as you can. III
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 10 ask"
No one said anything. the silence &C
cented by the desert wind bowling
mournfully in the branches OF nearby
cottonwood
AN right then, boys, don't get ex.
cited and go on 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.
garding the presence on the island OF
The party sought were dissipated by the
unmistakable noise made by nuiner
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
AIDE, The older OF the Bar X men
lifted himself by his hands, and
peered cautiously over
Eight HOSES in thar" he an.
nounced soberly: then turned to
Keith Say. Jack, what do you figure
this shebang TO be, anyhow? You
don't reckon It's old Sanchez's OUTFIT
do yer?"
Likely as not, Joe. though never
saw him around here"
Joe flied his cheek with tobacco,
staring about through the darkness,
Well. If that OIL cuss is we're now
weuns is sure in fer fight" he com.
mented positively
Then rounded the corral fence on
lands 3nd knees, crawled into bunch
or bushes somewhat to the rear OF the |
silent. desolate-appearing cabin, ana
lay down fiat behind pile OF saddles.
from which position they could pain
~ discern the rear door. There was
no movement, no evidence anywhere
that living soul was about the place.
Keith could barely distinguish that 1t
was Bristoe lying next to him.
Had their camp over there in the
corner OF the corral when was here
before" he said in whisper. Where
DO you suppose they can be now?"
The wary scout lifted his head,
into the darkness like point
er dog
West o Their cabin thar, out O. Their
wind, most likely. ] smell tobacco"
Even as the words left his lips a
man eamo sauntering slowly around
the eastern corner his outlines barely
visible, but the red glow of pipe
bowl showing plainly He stopped. di.
rectly facing them. yawning sleepily.
and then turned the other corner.
Another moment and they distinctly
heard voice:
Hustle up thar now, Manuel an
turn out; it's your watch; wake UP,
dam yer-maybe that'll bring yet ter
life"
The remedy applied to the sleeper
must have been eiilcacious, as, an in.
slant later another figure slouched
INTO view, the new arrival rubbing
MS eyes with one hand, the other
short-barrelled gun. From
he high peak of his hat It was eyi.
lent this new guard was a Mexican. {
lie walked to the corner, glanced
Long the east side wall toward the
ront OF the cabin, and then, apparent
satisfied the coast was clear. start !
q toward the stream. shutting along !
within a foot of where Keith lay fiat
N the ground A moment later the men ,
card him splashing softly In the wa. J.
er, and Keith rolled over, his lips c
t Bristoe's ear.
slip down there, Ben" he whis.
cred. and quiet that fellow. I'll find b
ut how many are on the west side.
10 the Job without any noise"
Ne writed until the scout had dis.