Gilpin observer., 1917-11-15

into the mouth of the gulley to the rear.
Only a moment after she had caught
sight Of the car, Patria saw the pur-
suit issue from the gulley-between
twenty or thirty horsemen whom she
had no difficulty in Identifying with
the Charming cow-punchers who had
ridden out the night before. They
were firing from the saddle, using
revolvers-weapons which they pre-
ferred to the automatic pistols.
As they came into sight, two Of the
cow-punchers broke from the woods,
and the road as well, striking OF
across country toward the bridge at
the border, squirting their mounts to
utmost speed.
Patrfa knew what that maneuver
indicated. The road cut wide curve
through the country; by this short cut
the two riders would reach the bridge
considerably in advance of the motor
car-providing nothing happened to
hinder them. On the other side Of the
bridge there was hidden switch
board, its wires communicating with
one Of the first preparations made by
Patria's order against an attack in
force advancing along the road.
The two vanished from view, while
the pursuit pounded on after the car
load Of fugitives. Three cow-punchers,
better mounted than their fellows or
better riders, contrived to race their
steeds alongside the car, and threw
themselves from the saddle bodily into
the tonneau, needless of the rain of
bullets that greeted them.
Their fate remained sealed to Pa
tria's knowledge; for at that moment
her biplane lurched and dipped peril
ously.
She caught another glimpse Of the
chase few minutes later, but dared
not give 1t any heed. She knew only
that it was drawing near the bridge.
At the time all her wits were wanted
to cope with the task of landing on
strange ground; the failing motor was
enforcing pause for repairs.
Patria's skill proved equal to the oc-
casion, however; the biplane settled
down gently near the edge Of wide
area Of clear ground-none too smooth
for comfort, but still naked of trees.
AS soon as it had come to full
pause the girl hoped down from the
seat and began an examination of the
engine; but 1t took some time to To-
cate the seat of the trouble, and long
er still to repair it.
At length, however, she was ready
to resume her flight.
AS she closed the tool box and start
ed round the plane toward the front
Of the machine, pistol shot sounded
behind her, and bullet perforated
the lower plane within a foot Of her
side.
Before she could turn she was
hailed in voice strongly colored with
the accent of Japanese-and badly
broken by painting.
"Halt-as you stand, please! Put
up your hands! Right"
She heard hasty footsteps behind
her. Then japanese gentleman of
rather more than middle age came into
view covering her with his pistol.
Pausing he deftly whipped her auto
matte from its holster attached to her
belt, and grinned unpleasantly.
"Thank you very much." he gasped
politely in spite Of his winded condi-
tion-for 1t was evident that he had
run considerable distance at very
fast pace. "Now be good enough to
take your seat. will sit beside you.
You will fly as I direct and land
where say-please understand-or I
shall be reluctantly obliged to shoot
you."
FROM THE BLUE.
Without demur Patria turned and
climbed to the pilots seat. With sur
prising agility, considering his appar-
ent age, the Japanese followed to the
place allotted to the observer.
"YOu will start Immediately" he
pursued with significant gesture Of
the pistol in his hand, land aim for
those mountains in the south. When
we are high enough I will further d.
rect the course"
Patria switched on the self-starter.
The propeller began to revolve noisily.
The drone of the motor sounded clear
and sweet and true. The biplane
bumped forward over the uneven
ground. lifted, and began to climb.
Behind 1t half dozen exasperated
cow-punchers broke from the woods,
reined in to fire, then recognizing the
pilot Of the airplane. refrained-but
cursed fervently.
OF this Patria knew nothing. Her
attention was concentrated on the
business Of being good pilot for a
passenger armed and desperately
ready to shoot.
He sat watching her with q mali
CiOus grin while she made her craft