The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-09-21
CHAPTER XIX (Continued).

"Longstreth, you say that like a mar
who wouldn't care much If he did drop
some of them" declared Lawson; and
now he was sarcastic.
ITO tell you the truth, l wouldn't" re-
turned the other, bluntly. I'm pretty
sick Of this mess"
Lawson cursed in amazement. His
emotions were all out of proportion
to his intelligence. He was not at all
quick witted. Duane had never seen a
Vainer or more arrogant man.
"Longstreth, l don't like your talk"
he said.
IF you don't like the way 1 talk you
know what you can do" replied Long
streth, quickly. He stood up then, cool
and quiet, with flash of eyes n set OF
lips that told Duane he was dangerous.
We'll after all, that's neither here
nor there" went On Lawson, uncon-
cciously cowed by the other. 1.-THE thing
is, do l get the grip"
Not by any means except her con
sent"
you'll not make her marry me?"
mo. No." replied Longstreth, his
voice still cold. w-pitched.
"All right. Then I'll make her"
Evidently Longstreth understood the
nan before him so well that he wasted
no more words. Duane knew what Law
son never dreamed of, and that was that
Longstreth had a gun somewhere with
in reach and meal to use 1t. Then
heavy footsteps sounded outside
tramping upon the porch. Duane might
have been mistaken, but he believed
those footsteps saved Lawson's life.
There they are" said Lawson, and
he opened the door.
Five masked men entered. They all
wore coats hiding any weapons. A big
man with burly shoulders shook n
x.,;tl npysfYafh nnI tina others stood
back.
The atmosphere Of that room had
changed. Lawson might have been a
nonentity for all he counted. LongStreth
was another mana stranger to Duane.
II he had entertained a hope OF freeing
himself from this band, of getting away
to a safer country, he abandoned 1t at
,he very sight Of these men. There was
power here, and he vas bound.
The big man spoke in low, hoarse
whispers, and at this all he others
gathered around him close to the table.
There were evidently some signs or
membership not plain to Duane. Their
oil the heads were bent e the table.
Low voices spoke, gueried, answered,
argued. BY straining his ears Duane
caught a word here and there. They
were planning, and they were brief.
Duane gathered they were to have a
rendezvous ut or near Ord.
Then the Dig man, who evidently was
the leade" of the present convention,
got up to depart. He went as swiftly
as he had Come, and was followed by
his comrades. Longstreth prepared for
a quiet smoke. Lawson seemed uncom-
municative and unsociable. He smoked
fiercely and drank continually. All at
ace he Strengthened up as If listening.
Whats that?" he called, suddenly.
Duane's stGrined ears were pervaded
by a slight rustling sound.
Must be a rat" replied Longstreth.
The rustic became a rattle.
Sounds like a rattlesnake to me-"
said Lawson.
Longstreth got up from the table and
peered round the room.
Just at that instant Duane felt an al
most inappreciable movement of the
adobe wall which supported him. He
could scarcely credit his senses. But the
rattle inside Longstreth's room was
mingling with little dull thuds Of fall
ing dirt. The adobe wall, merely dried
mud, was Crumbling. Duan distinstly
felt a tremor pass through it. Then the
blood gushed back to his heart.
What in the hell" exclaimed Long
Etreth.
81 smell dust" said Lawson, sharply.
That was the signal for Duane TO
drop down from his perch, yet despite
his care he made a noise.
Did you hear a step?" queried Long
streth.
No one answered. But a heavy piece
Of the adobe wall fell with a thud.
Duane heard it crack, felt it shake.
There's somebody between the
wallis" Numbered Longstreth.
Then a section of the wall fell inward
with a crash. Duane began to squeeze
his body through h narrow passage
toward the patio.
Hear HIM" yelled Lawson. This
side!"
mo, he's going that way" yelled
Longstreth.
The tramp Of heavy boots lent Duane
the strength of desperation. He was not
Sinking a fight, but to be cornered like
a trapped coyote was another matter.
He almost tore his clothes off in that
passage. The dust nearly stifled him.
When he burst into the patio it was not
a single instant too soon. But n deep
gasp of breath revived him and he was
up, gun in hand, running for the outlet
into the court. Humping footsteps
turned him back. While there al a
chance to get away he did not want to
fight. He thought he heard some one
running into the patio from the other
end. He stole along, and coming to a
door, without any idea Of where 1t
might lead, he softly pushed it open a
little way and slipped in.