The Winslow mail., 1913-07-12

close that gap yet; it's too dangerous
with US on guard and only one side OF
the coach exposed. That fellow was
trying us out while ago, and they've
kept quiet ever since l let drive at
him. They know the limits of the
safety zone, and will keep there until
just before daylight That Is when
they'll try to creep up upon US. Have
you got the timer"
She opened her watch, feeling for
the hands with her fingers, wondering
vaguely at her own calmness. The
cool resourcefulness of HamIin was
like tonic.
Tit is little after one O'Clock, p"
she said slowly, although l am not
sure my watch Is exactly right"
Near enough; there are signs of
daylight at four-three hours left;
that ought to be sufficient, but with no
darkness to spare. VIII you go with
me? Will you do exactly as l say?"
She drew a swift breath, holding
her hand to her side.
"Oh. yes" her voice catching, what
what else can l do? l cannot stay
here with those dead men!"
But l want you to go because
well, because you trust me-" he urged,
new trace of tenderness in his low
cred voice. Because you know l
would give my life to defend you"
He was not sure, but he thought
her face was suddenly uplifted, her
eyes seeking to see him in the dark
ness.
1 do" she answered gravely, you
must believe l do; but I have never
been in such peril before, in such a
situation of horror, and ! am all un-
nerVed. There doesn't seem to be any
thing left me but-to trust YOU"
That is good; all can ask. l know
you are all right, but l want you to
keep your nerve. We are going to take
big chance; we've got to do it-a
single mfsplay, slip of the foot, an
lncautious breath may cost our lives. "
Are you going to try to get away?
To elude the Indians?"
Yes, and there Is but one Dossibil-
ity OF success-to creep the length of
the gully there, and so reach the river.
Here is Gonzales belt. Don't be
afraid of it; it Is not dead men who
are going to hurt US. Swing the strap
over your shoulder this way. and slim
the revolver into the holster. That's
right; We'll carry as little as we can.
and leave our hands free" He hesi-
tated, staring about in the darkness.
swiftly deciding what to take. "Do
you happen to know If either of the
passengers carried any grub?"
"Grub?"
Plains term for food" impatiently,
"rations; something for lunch en-
route"
"Oh, yes, Mr.. Moylan did: said he
never took chances on having to go
hungry. 1t was in a fat leather
pouch"
"Haversack. have it. That will
be enough to carry, with the canteen.
Now there is only one thing more be-
fore we leave We must imnress
those fellows with the notion that we
are wide-awake. and on guard yet. See
any movement out there?"
IL am not sule," she answered
doubtfully. There is a black smudge
beyond that dead pony; lean forward
here and you can see what mean
on the ground. II imagined 1t moved
just then" She pointed into the dark
ness. ''It is the merest shadow, but
seemed to wiggle along, and then
stop; it's still now."
Hamlin focused his keen ewes on
the spot indicated, shading them with
one hand.
"Slide back further on the seat" he
whispered softly, "and let me In next
| the window"
There was a moments silence, the
only sound the wind. The girl gripped
the back of the seat nervously with
both hands, holding her breath; the
Sergeant, the outline of his face sill
houetted against the sky, stared mo-
tionless into the night without. Sud
denly, not making a sound, he lifted
tho rife to his shoulder.