The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1916-06-29

mhue Dy tne rains OF past years, nese
little di.ches ran straight down the
slope toward the house. Where these
ran out into the burned alfalfa patches
stood the cottage. and beyond this
again the corrals and the stables.
stu farther to the south. beyond
the lines OF the adobe walls, the
ground sloped more gently to a little
stream bed bordered with cotton.
woods. along which the attacking
party had taken up its position.
HIM! It's a good thing for us that
the house is between us and harm.
We will try TO work our way down
that acequia TO our left. Come on,
Nolan"
So, belly down. as coyotes crawl on
their game. the two Americans very
slowly began their advance on the be.
leagucred house.
One. two. three hundred yards they
crept down the hillside. Presently.
when they reached a point where the
acequia opened out into the grass.
land, Kynaston would go no further.
We've got to stay here TIL We can
attract their attention." he explained.
II we go any farther we'll be shot
at. While | don't particularly mind
being shot at by a greaser ! don't covet
havin' old Upton line his sights on me
Raise up a bit, Nolan, and stick your
hat up on the end Of YOU rife 30 they
can see L."
The hat. thus showing above the
edge OF the ditch. vas presently seen
by the defenders. a shout from the
rear wall OF the cottage brought old
Mr.. Upton to the massive door. which
he threw open. Kynaston and Nolan
saw him standing for a moment with
a pair OF field glasses ct his eyes,
scanning them c%uriously.
Presently. treasured, he waved his
hand. Still belly down among the red
dust and the empty cans that for
years had been thrown there from the
house, the W soldiers crept painfully
down through the chicken yard, past
the pony corral, and so up into the
back yard OF the house itself.
Mr.. Upton shook hands warmly with
the youngster.
Where re your men, Kynaston?
Where re your menY You never
came here by YOURSELF"
What's the trouble?" asked Ky.
aaston. I'VE heard the firing and
saw the flames; what was IT."
Hay c~orrals. Two hundred tons
OF new hay that those devils burned
up for me. They sent word that II !
didn't pay them ten thousand dollars
for what they call their war chest
they'd burn the place"
"Who are they?"
Rebels, OF course. Some OF Villas
men. You never can tell who they
are. They'd been down there since
before daylight. What re you going
TO do? Where re your men,"
Five miles back. Left EN- on the
last ridge with orders not TO come up
unless | signal for EN-. | dare not
start anything on this side OF the line.
you know, You a pull out here by
the same way that We got here and
refugee across the line. to my men"
And leave all I've got in the
world! No, thanks. But | should like
to get my daughter AID Mrs. Fame
out II we can. Can you get them
across"
Sure thing. Come on"
Come into the house and I'll get
them started 10 pack up so you can
get right back"
kynaston stood not upon the order
OF his gong, but went at once, for
tho memory OF the pretty Miss Upton
was more than enough 10 tent the
blood flowing faster through his veins.
Dorothy met him in the great hall.
1t was filled with smoke from the
lower line OF loopholes, where two OF
the employees OF the mine were firing
rapidly at the attacking party below
them. rho smoke sucked back
through the hall as Mr.. Upton opened
the door.
I'm more than glad TO see you
again." cried Dorothy, as she gave
him her both hands. How did you
get here and-why?"
ITO get you out" he said quickly.
But you must come at once. We
cant delay a moment. At any minute
they may work around TO flank you
on the hillside. Upton, and IL they do
there will be nc chance Of anyone
getting away from the house"
Mrs. Fame. who had Joined the
group. was listening white.faced.
You girls, get your things at once"
ordered Upton, "Kynaston Is right.
lie cannot cross the line TO help US
In force, and the only thing he can
do Is to take the two OF you or my
hands. Dorothy, Marion, go and get
your things. Go. ! say! ] shall stay
here until something turns up. | do
not mean 10 have this place looted
without taking II out OF the hides OF
the men who do II. Go, grille"
As the two women ran hastily TO
their rooms to get what few things
they could take with them Upton
quickly outlined bis movements and
K~ynaston's.