The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1916-06-01

DhiiE y 'lbfI6 hlu Ifla w WIN "lht
beating out the surface flames. cutting
every sapling In sight, digging
trenches 10 head on any ground fires
that might be- started.
But destiny was against the Dil.
lingwOrth. The wind-"unusual," TO
use that ovorworkcd word OF the re-.
gion truly for oncc-grcw steadily,
and despite the trained work, for ev.
cry man knew this business. II rushed
he iiam"s through the underground
faster than they could handle II.
Daily, black with smoke and ashes,
was everywhere. Sandry chung at his
heels, watching his methods, learn.
ing everything he could, listening
picking up, catching on with light
ming rapidity. He knew himself 10
be Ignorant. and whore he VA the
head with his interest at stake he
must make himself competent.
by night Daily was grim and silent.
hoarsc with shouting. and he stamped
into the porch. where the women
watched the flames that ilarcd red
against the night IN n hundred
places on the west ridge and up tho
hills IN both sides AZ the cutting.
IS lett, honey. he raspcd. "ln rave 10
call on you agin. They's a rev
n over the first shoulder toward
the East Belt-up In tn old cuttin
Ride down TO Toledo an tell ON 10
send IN town Wen need ON all
! can't spare a man I'VE sent out
SIX to hunt tn devil behind this. an
II kotCh him I'll kill him. damn
him"
son" said Ma from the shadows
So Silotz and Black Bolt and Coos
nah Numbered down through the
darkness to save the Dillingworth,
and the heart In the girls breast was
t%hrObbing with anxiety for Sandry-
black as Daily, and as rough looking
fighting with his lesser strength. a
Wost"rucr at last by every sign.
by midnight the town was there
and Daily saw among the crowd Iiar
ris, his old saw.nicr. young Anwor.
thy and several more OF those who
had deserted TO the god ~ gold They
kept sheepishly In the background.
but they were there for the common
good that Daily had spoken of-they
would have answered IA call from a
real enemy in such a crisis. for that
is the way OF the West.
Ma Daily, passing her interminable
tin cups Of coffcc-shc had brought a
great iron kettle and boiled II over a
FIR" on the ground stopped before
Anworthy, the curly headed boy OF
whom she was very fond. with a hand
on his shoulder.
I'm mighty glad to see you. son.
she said kindly, and the young scape.
goat had the grace to blush.
Destiny was against the billing.
worth. The wind leapcd and shout
cd up between the hills and by mid.
night the flames suddenly leaped IN
as II a restraint had been removed
Huge. red strcamers flung themselves
out against the black night SKY
reaching half way TO the zenith
Dense clouds OF smoke lcaped and
bcllied To the heavens, while the roar
that appalls a woodsman's heart began
to sound throughout the hills.
John Daily, working like a giant
went white beneath his CRIME al
sound OF II.
My Cod" he cried hoarsely. IT.
goin' away from u.s."
And Sandry. halted a pace away
by that cry OF despair, looked upor
the first really great sight OF his life
More men!" shouted the foreman
h~oarsely. You Harris, go telephone
TO Corvallis for more men"
IT'S done. Johnny" said Ma Daily
painting in the light. her sleeves
rolled up from brown, capable arms
Il sent S'letz some time back. She's
calm fer all the stations between
The valley was as light as day. illu
mined all up ard down It's length. ant
three horscmen were Looping up IL
level floor. Lean. 1.-the men the!
were. clad In sober khaki. and the,
lcaped from their horses with bust
nesslike alacrity. dropping reins Owe
saddle horns instead OF on the ground
Those three horses were well trained
intelligent aids, ready to stand FOL
hours In one spot, TO come NJ {
whistle. and they wanted no drag
ging straps to hinder.
We're forest rangers" announced
the spokesman. n quick.eyed. steady
young chap. to Sandry, give me YOU
men"
Thank tn Lord" said Daily fer
yently, take command"
The newcomer talked n momen
with his two companions, motioning
dividing localities. s%kctching a quicl
plan. Then he gathered twenty men
putting them under one OF his aides,
Go up over that ridge" he direct
ed briefly. and cut a forty.foot fal
straight across the dip behind thu
fire. Go on and cut II up oyer the biI
ridge. Don't stop to fight"
AC the men hurried on with cross
cuts and axes, he plunged into tn
smoke and fire, shouting terse con
mands. taking men from what seeme'
imperative tasks TO put them ut worI
in places removed from the hre-dil
uIpu span,hna pntting "a urao1 min