The Detroit times., 1913-05-15

(Continued.)


well. whatever they are. j sha'nt
want you any more; you can travei
4 hack to 'em as fast as you like; but
look here, you see that none or them
don't stray In the direction I'm go
h Ing" And the Californian moved on
up the pass.
Good luck, Mr.. Rogers the de-
serter called after him. and then he
began leisurely to climb the ridge.
When Rogers reached the camp he
saw that the mule had been found
and that the teams were made up and
ready to start. j.,
h whats kept you so long, asked
Stephen.
II was following what took TO be
old piebald's trail" answered Rogers.
At first he had been Undecided as
to whether or not he should tell tine
others of his encounter with Ray.
mond: but he had finally determined
to say nothing OF this meeting. Silent
and preoccupied he took his place In
one of the wagons. seeking some ex'
cuse for Raymond's presence so close
ut hand, beyond that which the de-
+ serter had himself given.
Their trail first led across mar
row valley, and then they entered
the mass again, which with each SLOW
mile mounted TO a higher altitude Z
Y hut by the middle Of the morning IL
seemed to have reached It's greatest
i elevation. for on beyond them II
wound down and down, opening at
last into a wide level valley lying In
y : vast amphitheater Of hills and noun
I, tains.
"Mr. Landray, I don't know but Ia
y like to ride your horse for spell,
said Rogers.
you'll find 1t much cooler In the
wagon" said Stephen.
\ "It IA hot agreed the Californian,
wiring the sweat from his face.
Nevertheless he swung himself into
the saddle, and fell in at the rear OF
the wagons; and then he increased
the distance that separated him from
& the train, from q few yards to almost
half q mile, keeping his horse at the
slovest walk. Once or twice In the
last hour before their brief noon halt.
y he thought he heard the distant clat-
Il tar of hoofs in the pass back OF him,
hut he dismissed this as mere ner-
vous fancy. A little after midday they
4 entered the valley. For matter OF
two miles they toiled forward over
! perfectly level plain, barren ana
bare Of al useful vegetation.
& Stephen who was In the frst wagon
refined in his mules to say, Wen let
our teams have q few minutes rest.
"Td push ahead, Mr.. Landray; l
8 wouldn't waste no time here said
4 Rogers anxiously. as he rode up.
I'm just moment, Rogers-hnllo.
what's that?"
He was looking toward the point
where they had entered the valley.
D Rogers turned quickly and saw that
= number OF small black objects were
emerging from the pass; distant as
they were, all knew they were mount
Cd men.
"What do ySu make them out to
ber' Stephen asked.
II reckon l don't know and
reckon don't care. Do you see that
4 lit OF q hill ahead Of us? Theres
water and grass somewhere near
/ there; push on for that"
Ii He fell In at the rear OF the last
vaRon. and the look OF indifference
\ his face had worn q moment before
vanished the instant he was alone.
* he rode In silence for perhaps hve
S. minutes with his face turned toward
the black dots. He never once took
his eyes from them.
"Vaster!" he called. Push the
4 mules!"
Now the black objects had become
\ Individual, separate they were men
Il Who rode In open order, and as they
4 rode they spread out In half-circle
4 that swept momentarily nearer the
train. Presently he caught the hoof
\. beats OF the swiftly galloping horses,
\ now loud, now scarcely audible In the
uultry stiffness; and then 1t became
atoady beat like the rattle Of hall on
frozen ground; the beat and throb OF
i his own pulse took up and masninee
the rhythm until his temples ached
K With the sound.
"vaster!" he called again. Faster
yet. Give them the rawhide"
But his companions knew now why
ho urged greater speed; and the long
& laohes Of their whips fell again and
\ again on the backs OF the straining
mules.
I'VE must make that hill-don't let
them cut 10 OF from IT," cried Rogers.
q he refined In his horse and faced
about: he dropped the butt OF his
h rife TO his shoulder and sent bullet
IN the direction OF their pursuers.
n A the frst shot vibrated sharply
across the plains the horsemen were
seen to draw rein. but this was only
for brief instant, and then the race
for the hill was begun afresh, and
with renewed energy. The huge
lurched to and fro. tossed Ike
ships IN q seaway, the mules at gal.
lup: while Rogers, spectral figure.
his long hair flying In the wind. hung
IN the rear Of the train, or rode back
and forth menacing their pursuers.
Keep or" he called. and sent a
second messenger In the direction OF
v the horsemen; this at closer range
NJ than the first seemed to find mark,
fur one WAS seen to sway In his sad
a 6le. and there was momentary
4 pauso In their onward rush as his
companion gathered about the
wounded man.
\ II can shoot yeti" said Rogers with
rrim 10Y. He loaded his rife again
X With : elaboration and care no peri
could shake, then he felt his horses
forofoet strike rising ground, ant
elanced about: he had reached the
h 80 Of the hill, he turned again II
~ saddle, fred, and without waitint
rs - the effect of his shot, drove hi
X onurs into his horses flank and fee
Il howard after the wagons