The Holly chieftain., 1915-07-16


Lenora rose softly to her feet ana
strolled to the back of the range
wagon. In a few moments she reap
peared, carrying a piece of paper In
her hand. She stopped down.
"Craig's saddling up." she whis-
pered. Look what he dropped.
She held out the paper. on which
was traced a roughly drawn map.
THAT lines the river that marks
the Mexican border" she explained.
You see where Long Jim's put the
cross? That's where the bridge 10.
That other cross is the camp.
She pointed away southwards.
That's the line" she continued.
Laura, where's thL professor"
81 don't know" Laura replied. HE
rode of some time ago; and he was 60
ing to meet Mr.. Quest"
II only he were here!" Lenora NUT
tered. Il feel sure Craig means to
escape. There he goes"
They saw him ride OF into the dark
ness. Lenora ran to where her horse
was tethered.
I'm going after him." she an.
nounced. Listen, Laura. II they ar
rive soon. send them after me-"
She galloped of while Laura was
still undecided. Almost at that mo-
ment she heard from behind the vel
come sound of horses feet in the oppo-
site direction and Quest galloped up.
Laura laid her hand upon his rein.
Don't get off," Laura continued
quickly. Craig has escaped. riding
towards the Mexican frontier. Lenora
is following him. He's gone in that
direction" she added pointing. when
you come to the river you'll have to
hunt for the bridge"
Quest frowned as he gathered up
his reins.
81 was afraid they'd try something
of the Sort" he muttered. Tell the
others where I've gone, Laura"
He galloped of into the darkness.
Behind, there were some growls from
the little group of>cowboys, none OF
whom, however. attempted to~snter'
fere with him. Long Jim stood up
and gazed sullenly southwards.
"Cookie'll make the bridge all right"
he remarked. "If the girl catches him.
she can't do anything And that guy'n
never make it. Whoop! Here comes
the rest of them"
The inspector, with the two depu'
ties, rode suddenly into the camp. The
Inspector paused to speak to Laura.
Long Jim's eyes sparkled as he saw
them approach.
Its old Harris and fat Andy" he
whispered. We'll have some fun with
them"
The older OF the two deputies ap-
preached them. frowning.
Been at your games again, Long
Jim?" he began. 81 hear you declined
to hand over criminal who'd been
sheltering on your ranch? You'll get
into trouble before you've finished"
Got the warrant?" Jim asked.
The deputy produced it. Long Jim
looked at it curiously and handed 1t
back.
Guess the only thing you want,
then, is the man."
Better produce him quickly" the
deputy advised.
Jim turned away.
Cant do it. He's beat it."
"You mean that you've let him go?"
Let him go?" Jim repeated. u
amt got no right to keep him. He
took the job on a moments notice and
he left at moments notice. There's
some of your party after him. all
right
=.
The hunted man turned round with
a little gasp. Before him was the
rude mountain bridge, and on the
other side-freedom. Scarcely doz
en- lengths away was Lenora, and
close behind her came Quest. He
slackened speed as he walked his
horse cautiously on to the planked
bridge. Suddenly he gave little cry.
The frail structure, unexpectedly in
secure, seemed to sway beneath his
weight. Lenora, who was riding fast,
was unable to stop herself. She came
on to the bridge at half canter
Craig, who had reached the other
side in safety, threw up his hands.
Look out!" he cried. "My God!"
The bridge suddenly collapsed as
though it had been made of paper.
Lenora, grasping her horse, was
thrown into the stream. Quest, gal