American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-09-18

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 abe
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
c~Ow-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.
Patrla knew what that maneuver
indicated. The road cut q wide curve
through the country by this short cut
the two riders would reach the bridge
considerably In advance Of the motor
car-providlng nothing happened to
hinder them. On the other side Of tbs
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
trials 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 1t 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 a pause for repairs.
Patrfa'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 It had come to a full
pause the girl hoped down from tbs
! seat and began an examination Of th'
engine; but it took some time to 10
. cate the seat Of the trouble, and long
er still to repair it.
At length, however, she was read.
to resume her flight.
= AS she closed the tool box and start
ed round the plane toward the from
= Of the machine, a pistol shot sounde'
behind her, and a bullet perforatei
the lower plane within a foot Of he
4, side.
Before she could turn she wa
hailed in a voice strongly colored wit
., the accent Of a Japanese-and badl
- broken by painting.
~ "Halt-as you stand. please PJ
up your hands. Right"
= She heard hasty footsteps benin
~ her. Then a japanese gentleman
rather more than middle age came int
view covering her with his pistC
Pausing he deity whipped her aur
. matte from its holster attached TO b
belt, and grinned unpleasantly.
A. THANK you very much" he gasp'
va politely in spite of his winded como
tion-for it was evident that he hi
ba run a considerable distance at a We
fast pace. NOW be good enough
take your seat. I will sit beside 20
You viii fly as ! direct and Lar
where I say-please understandable
shall be reluctantly obliged to sho
you"
a FROM THE BLUE.
he without demur Patria turned Al
us climbed to the pilots seat. With 81
be- prising agility, considering his apps
emit age, the japanese followed TO {
place allotted to the observer.
.ha you will start Immediately"
pursued with a significant gesture
ed the pistol in his hand, and aim I
Ter those mountains in the south. VIII
we are high enough l will further
+lv rect the course"
me Patria switched on the self-start
a The propeller began to revolve noisi
nen The drone of the motor sounded cl,
an and sweet and true. The bipls
in bumped forward over the uneV
Jaw ground, lifted, and began to climb.
age Behind 1t half a dozen exasperal
eri- cow-punchers broke from the WOO
up refined in to fire, then recognizing
ack pilot Of the airplane, refrained@
cursed fervently.
OF this Patria knew nothing. Z
attention was concentrated on
business Of being a good pilot for
passenger armed and desperat
ready to shoot.
He sat watching her with a m
&&&l 49, n-in nkEIn rhn nnln hnr a.