The daily Alaskan., 1913-11-12

eaten VIII Settle Wlln you. Aou hhFs earned your reward"
 Manuel grinned appreciadyely and led his tired horse around to the corral, while Mark Smith paced up and down the hard baked path before the door.
 He had staved it off for months, but now it had come. Vados, the outlaw, Ihad held his men with an iron hand, and not once had he permitted drunk enness to spoil his wild raids upon the peaceful settlements over the bor- der They came and went In the night like shadows. Yados knew his half savage followers, and he had not dared allow them liquor.
 But now he had broken loose him. self, and his men were quick to follow their leader.
 What chance had law and order, even tho emblem of a great govern ment, in the lace of madness? And these were nothing better now that they had had taste of the pulque.
 While Mark Smith acknowledged this, he set his jaw tight and, mount | ing his horse. rode from one to another of the outlying ranches, giving warn- l ing of the coming raid. He advised his neighbOrs to gather at his place. His line was drawn closer as be neared the town, and at last there remained only one house, that of James l Bradley.
 Euen's father was at the gate when Mark rode up,
 i've heard all about It. What's your plan, Mark?' he asked. Gather all the women and children at my place with an armed guard. want the men to go with me to meet yados and try to wipe him out before he does any damage I've sent couple of messengers to Arko to tele- graph for assistance from El Paso."
 Good I'll hitch up and bring my folks over. hope you'll let me be on the skirmish line," added the old man wiStfully.
 Suit yourself. but we need steady head to hold the fort, you know" smli- ed Mark weariIy.
 Just at sunset the last of the fugi- tives rode through the gate of Mark Smiths ranch. It was very martial sight that met their eyes, and 1t re- newed courage In many timid heart.
 From every peak of the roof there was a standard from which waved the stars and stripes. Every window had its pole with futtering flag, and even the stables were breaking out in pa- triotic colors. On either side of the gate was tall pole, where two large flags waved protectingly over the refu' gees.
 James Bradley and his wife had come over in a blackboard with some of their most precious belongings.
 "Where is Enen?" asked Smith as he assisted Mrs. Bradley to the ground.
 Eucns parents cast startled glances around.
 "Why, isn't she here? She started or on her horse and said she would get here first"
 "Tll fetch her." gritted Mark savage ly, and, throwing himself on a horse, he tore away toward the town But in the deserted town there was no trace of Ellen Bradley. Mark found himself riding frantically in pursuit of the girl who had douted him for a whim. At last he dushed toward the river and followed fresh trail along the bank. Possibly Ellen was taking the longer way, but she must know 1t was dangerous way today. Vados might be lying in ambush, waiting for the friendly night to cover his move ments.
 It was dark when he reached the river. Here a strange sight met his startled eyes.
 This was the nNrrOweSt part, and 1t was here that the outlaws would cross if they were to reach Smiths ranch that night, as they had threatened. A narrow wooden bridge spanned the river.
 A dark bulk of shadow resolved into stationary horse and white clad rider. Above the rider there appeared to float in midair a large transparency with the stars and stripes painted viY- idly on four sides. Within the trans parency there burned light that threw the flags into strong relief.
 Mark Smith had carried that trans parency in the last political campaign.
 That was not all.
 There was an ominous cracking, with the smell of burning wood. Suddenly the bridge burst into flames and dis closed on the opposite bank a para lyzed group of rufEians. Yados and his band They stared at the motiOnless figure gurbed in white upholding the glowing transparency. then at the burning bridge, and with one accord they turned and fled in drunken terror toward the hills. Another day would find their heads clearer and their cour- age renewed and they might return to Yeager, but by that time the troops would have arrived.
 Now Smith rode up to the notion less white figure on the horse and found it to be Ellen Bradley.