The Mena weekly star., 1917-02-15

W AdhH II tCRlts N1At 0NAcAN n-S ~~--f she exclaimed angrily.
 De Spain raised his right hand from his thigh to the pommel of his saddle. The slight gesture was eloquent of his surrender of the issue of force. Il can't go into a shooting-mateh with you about this cur. If you call your uncle there will be bloodshed-unless you drop me off my horse right here and now before he appears. All ask you is this: Is this kind of a cut throat worth that? If you shoot me, my whole posse from Sleepy Cat is right below us in the aspens. Some of your own people will be killed in a general fight. If you want to shoot me, shoot-you can have the match all to yourself. If you don't, let us go by. And if I've told you one word that isn't true, call me back to this spot any time you like, and I'll come at your call, and answer for it"
 His words and his manner confound- ed her for a moment. She could not at once make an answer, for she could not decide what to say. Then, of sud den, she was robbed of her chance to answer From down the trail came a yell like shot. The chatter of hoofs rang out, and men on horses dashed from the entrance of the gap toward them. De Spain could not make out distinctly, but he knew Lefever's yell, and pointed There they are" he exclaimed hurriedIy. "There is the whole posse. They are comingp A shot, followed closely by second, rang out from below. "Go," he cried to Nan. "There'll be shooting here that I can't stop" He slapped Sassoon's pony viciously with his hand, spurred past her himself, and was away. White with consternaton and anger, she steadied herself and looked after the fleeing pair. Then whirllng in her sad dle, she ran her pony back to the ranch-house to give the alarm.
 Yelling like half a dozen men, Le- fever and Scott, as De Spain and his prisoner dashed toward them, sep arated, let the pair pass, and spurred in behind to cover the flight and con front any pursuers. None at the mo ment threatened, but no words were exchanged until the whole party, riding fast, were well past Fl Capltan and out of the gap. For some unex- pressed reason-so strong is the influ- ence of tradition and reputation-no one of the three coveted a close en- counter with the Morgans within it's walls.
 Tits the long heels for 1t now, boys" cried De Spain. His companions closed up again.
 Save your horses" cautioned Scott, between strides. Its a good ways home."
 Make for Calabasas." shouted Le- fever.
 No" yelled Scott. "They would stand us a siege at Calabasas. While the trail Is open make for the rail- road"
 A great globe of dazzling gold burst into the east above the distant hills. But the glory of the sunrise called forth no admiration from the three men hurrying fourth urgently along the Sleepy Cat trail. Between breaths De Spain explained his awkward meet ing with Nan, and of the strait he was in when Lefever's strong lungs enabled him to get away unscratched. But for a gunman narrow squeak is as good as a wide one, and no one found fault with the situation. They had the ad- vantage-the only question was wheth- CT they could hold it. And while they continued to cast anxious glances be- hind, Scott's Indian eyes first per ceived signs on the horizon that marked their pursuit.
 "No matter" declared Lefever. This is little fast for a fat man, any way" He was not averse, either, to the prospect of a long-range exchange with the fighting mOuntaineers. All drew rein a little. Suppose I cover the rear till we zee what this is," sug- gested Lefever, limbering up as the other two looked back. Push ahead with Sassoon. These fellows won't fol- low far"
 Don't be sure about that" muttered Scott. Duke and Gale have got the best horses in the mountains, and they'd rather fight than eat. There they come now"
 Dasfung across a plain they them selves had just crossed, they could see three horsernen in hot chase. The pur- sued men rode carefully, and, scanning the ground everywhere ahead, felt as- sured of their escape. Though their pursuers rode in at times with a show of rushing, the chase was a stern one, and could be checked whenever neces- sary. Halting at times to breathe their horses, De Spain with his two com panions and their prisoner rode into Sleepy Cat, locked Sassoon up. and went to the Mountain house for break fast.
 CHAPTER VI.