The Ordway new era., 1914-12-18

pursuing party turned aside from the
main trail. some distance from Mesa.
was that Hopi Jim knew . short cut
through the range. via what he termed
the upper trail. BY which they hoped
TO be able'to head the fugitives on be-
fore they could gain the desert ON the
far side Of the hills.
Only at long intervals did they draw
rein to permit Hopi Jim to make re-
connoissance Of the lower trail that
threaded the valley on the far side Of
the ridge.
Toward noon no returned in haste
from the last Of these surveys
scrambling reckIessly down the noun
tain-side and throwing himself upoa
his horse with the advice: -.
We've headed 'em-can make II
now II We. ride like all get-out!"
For half an hour more they pushed
on at the best speed to be obtained
from their weary animals, at length
drawing rein ut point whore the trail
crossed the ridge and widened out
upon q long. broad ledge that over.
hung the valley Of the lower trail. with
. clear drop to the latter from the
brink Of . good two hundred feet.
One hasty look back and down into
the valley evoked . grunt Of satisfac-
ton from Hopi Jim.
"Just in time" !" he asseverated. ''Here
they come! Ten minutes more :"
His smile answered Mavophat's
with unspeakable cruel Significance.
Texas will sleep better tonight
when he knows how I've squared the
deal for himi" the bandit declared.
what are you going to DOR Judith
demanded. refining her horse In beside
Marrophat ~ the latter dismounted.
A gesture drew her attention to =
huge boulder poised insecurely on the
very lip of the chasm.
Were going to tip that over ON
your friends. Miss Judith" Marrophat
replied. with . smack Of relish in his
voice. Observation-Disclosures
What more can you askf"
She answered only with an irrepress-
ible gesture Of horror. Marrophat's
laugh followed her . she turned away.
For some moments she strained her
vision vainly. endeavorins to pene-
trate the turbulent currents Of super.
heated air that filled the valley. Then
marked line of the lower trail; and
Immediately she caught . glimpse of
three small figures, mounted, toiling
painfully toward the point where death
awaited them like bolt from the blue.
Hastily she glanced over-shoulder:
Hopi Jim and Marrophat. ignoring her,
were straining themselves against the
boulder without budging 1t an inch,
for all its apparent nicely Of poise. For
an instant wild hope flashed through
her mind. but 1t was Immediately ex-
orcised when Hopi Jim stepped back
and uttered a few words Of which only
two-"dynamite" and "fuse"-reachec
her ears.
Kneeling beside the boulder he dug
busily for an instant, then lodged the
stick to his satisfaction, attached the
fuse. and breaking OF. edged on his
belly to the edge Of the clin and
looked down. carefully calculating the
length of the fuse by the distance Of
the party down below from the spot
where the rock must fall.
But while he was 20 engaged and
Marrophat aided him. all eager inter
est, Judith was taking advantage OF
their disregard Of her.
Hurfiedly unbuttoning her Jacket.
she whipped q playing card from her
pocket, trey O. hearts. and with the
stub Of . pencil scribbled three words
ON its faes-"Danger! Go back!"
Then finding small. nattish bit Of
rock. she bound the card to It with
. bit Of string; and with one more
backward glance to make sure she
was not watched, approached the
brink.
/ Hopi Jim was meticulously shorten
ing the fuse. Marrophat kneeling b.
his side.
In the canyon below the three wers
within two minutes Of the dansel
point.
| 1t was no trick at all to drop ths
stone 30 that 1t fell within . doseI
feet Of the leading horseman.
She saw him rein In suddenly, dis
mount, cast a look aloft. then dismoun
and pick up the warning.
Al the others Joined him. he de
tached the card and showed 1t to them
At the same time Hopi Jim and Mar
rophat jumped up and ran back. eael
ssising and holding his horse By nos'
snd bride.
Constrained to do likswise lest 81
lose her mount, Judith waited with
lightened heart
The explosion smote duh echoe
from the hxhks Of the Painted hills
all browsing in the MONDAY hush
the boulder teetered r1lu6tantly on th
brink. then disApSAifsd with = teal
Ing sound followed By . rush Of cart
and gravel; . Vide gap appeared 4
the brink Of tha trnS1