Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1913-01-02

more horrible by its semblance to wa
ter, yet never tempting them to stray
aside. After the first mile converse
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 as best they could,
scourged by the chill wind which
swept over them aud dashed grit into
exposed faces. With the first gray OF
dawn they swung stiffened forms into
the saddles and rode on, straight as
the crow flies, for the Salt Fork. They
attained that stream at shutdown, gray
with sand dust their faces streaked
from perspiration. feeling as though
the sun rays had burned their bralns'
with horses fairly Keeling under them.
According to Keiths calculation this
cattle-ford must be fully ten miles be-
low where the cabin sought vas std
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
] lOOSGEtu, lAt tui htN wv
Craze, and the men, snatching hasty
bite, flung themselves YEARLY on the
ground.
All but Fairbaln were asleep when
Keith aroused them once more, little
before nine, unable in his impotence
10 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 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 than had been anticipated, ana
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, reanz
ing they had reached the end OF the
route Hands instinctively loosenec
reviewers in readiness for action, the
| younger Of the Bar X" men whistline
softly in an effort to appear uncon
| cerned. Keith. with a gesture. gather
| ed them more closely about him.
| IF Hawley is here himself he sai'
| quietly. watching their faces in th'
| 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 five men. at least oil
the island, and possibly several more
If they are looking for trouble the
will naturally expect it to come fror
the north-consequently we'll max
our attack from the opposite direction
i and creep in on them under the shaC
d ow OF the corral. The first thing
want to do is 10 locate Miss Waite S
she will be in no danger OF getun
hurt in the melee. You boys hold you
fire until let loose or give the wore
Now, Doctor, want you and NeD
creep up this bank until you are q
rectly opposite the cabin-hel kno
the spot-and lie there out of sigl
until we begin the shooting. The
both sail in as fast as you can.
: take Bristoe and you two bar y me
: along with me. and when we tui
/ loose with our shooting irons you ca
all reckon the fight is on. Any OF "
& got questions TO ask?
} No one said anything. the silence a
z cented by the desert wind howliI
mournfully in the branches OF near''
cottonwood.
= An right then, boys. don't get
cited and go off half cooked; be ca
: ON YOUR trigger fingers. Come alor
Il YOU fellows who are travelling WI
me"
The four crossed the stream wadl
IN their waists In the water. th'
horses left punched on the south bar
III and finally crawled out into bun
III of MESQUITE. AS they crept alo
VI through the darkness. whatever dou'
Keith might have previously iet
= qarding the presence on the island
he marty sought were dissipated by
pnmistakable noise made by mum
w. ms horses in the corral Slowly, te
ole inc each step. as they advanced, SO
The sound should betray them, the t'
OH mon reached the shelter OF the SO
no. ade The older Of the Bar " n
y lifted himself by his hands. a
in peered cautiously over.
,TO BE CONTINUED