The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-18

90 N-S@\
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 Claiming 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 snl1k mounts to
utmost speed.
Patria knew whit. that maneuver
indicated. The road eut Z wide curve
through the country: 81 this short cut
the two riders would reach the bridge
considerably in advance of the motorA
car-providing nothing happened 70
hinder them. On the other side Of the
bridge there was a hidden switch
board, its wires communicating with
mines secretly planted in the road
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 a few minutes later, but dared
not give it 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 9 pause for repairs.
Patria's skill proved equal to the oc-
casion, however ; the biplane settled
down gently near the edge of a wide
area of clear ground-none too smooth
for comfort, but still naked OF trees.
As soon as 1t had come to a full
pause the girl hoped down from the
seat and began an examination of the
but it took some time to To-
the seat of the trouble, and long
er still to repair II.
AT length, however, she was ready
resume her flight.
As she closed the tool box and start
ed round the plane toward the front
Of the machine, a pistol shot sounded
behind her, and n bullet perforated
the lower plane within a foot of her
side.
Before she could turn she was
hailed in a voice strongly colored with
he accent Of a Japanese-and badly
broken by painting.
"Halt-as You stand, please! Put
Up your hands! Right"
She heard hasty footsteps behind
Ter. Then a japanese gentleman of
'ather more than middle age came into
Jew covering her with his pistol.
'ausing he deftly whipped her auto
from its holster attached to her.
,elt, and grinned unpleasantiy.
"Thank you very much" he gasped
in spite of his winded condi-
ion-for it was evident that he had
TN a considerable distance at q very
asst pace. snow be good enough to
AXE your seat. / will sit beside you.
you will fly IS I direct and land
where l say-please understand-or I
hall be reluctantly obliged to shoot
FROM THE BLUE.
Without demur Patria turned and
to the pilots seat. With sur
agility, considering his appar-
Mt age. the japanese followed to the
lace allotted to the observer
you will start immediately" he
with a significant gesture of
he pistol in his hand, land aim for
hose mountains in the south. When
re are high enough I will further d.
ect the course"
Patria switched On. the self-starter.
he propeller began to revolve noisily.
he drone Of the motor sounded clear
nd sweet and true. The biplane
Jumped forward over the uneven
round, lifted. and began to climb.
Behind It half a dozen e~xasperated
ow-punchers broke from the woods,
eined in to fire, then recognizing the
Hot Of the airplane, refrained-but
ursed ~fervently.