The Lamar register., 1917-04-11
G NAN Of g
MUSIC MOUNTAIN
bFfdnk II. Spedrman
Author Of Whispering Smith
Author Of Whispering Smith,

anu AAoN btlblt ullthlH- All dSh
you is this: Is this kind of a cut
throat worth that7 If you shoot me
my whole posse from Sleepy Cat Is
right below us in the aspens. Somt
Of your own people will be killed In q
general fight. If you want to shoot me
shoot-yOu can have the match all &c
yourself. If you don't, let us go by
And II 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, ano
answer for it."
His words and his manner confound
ed her for moment. She could not ai
once make an answer. for she could not
decide what to say. Then, of II sud
den. she was robbed of her chance Il
answer. From down the trail came q
yell like shot. The clatter Of hoofs
rang out. ana men on horses dashec
from the entrance of the gap toward
them. De Spain could not make out
distinctly. but he knew Lefever's yen
and pointed. There they are" he
exclaimed hurriedly. There is the
whole posse. They are coming" A
shot. followed closely by second. rang
out from below. GO" he cried tC
Nan. "Therell be shooting here that
l can't stop" He slapped Sassoon's
pony viciously with his hand, spurred
past her himself. and was away. White
with CONSERVATION and anger, she
stcndied herself and looked after the
fleeing pair. Then whirling in her sad.
die, she ran her pony back TO the
90, srf.- ha 10
Yelling like half a dozen men. Lee
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 Ell Captain and
out Of the gap. For some unex
pressed reason-so strong is the influ-
ence OF tradition and reputation-nc
one of the three coveted close en-.
counter with the Morgans within its
walls
IT'S the long heels for it 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 LIE.
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 a 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 unscratchej. But foI
a gunman a narrow squeak is as good
an wide one, and no one found fault
with the situation. They had the adj
vantage-the only question was wheth-
er they could hold II. 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 a little fast for a fat man, any
way" He was not averse, either. tC
the prospect Of long-range exchange
with the fighting mountaineers. All
drew rein a little. suppose / cover
the rear till we see what this is" sug
gested Lefever, Imbering 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"
Dashing across a plain they them.
selves had just crossed, they could see
three horsemen 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. Hating at times to breathe theiI
horses, De Spain with his two com
panions and their prisoner rode into
Sleepy Cat, locked Sassoon up, anc
went to the Mountain house for break
fast.