Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-05-10

of this was a long. low abode. which
resembled cabin.
Liberty. with her blindfold still on,
was taken from the horse and thrown
into the hut by Lopez who barred the
door. She pulled the bandage from
her eyes and examined her prison.
Two men were talking just outside.
How many men has Alvira gathered
for to-night's attackY'' asked q voice.
which she recognized as that of Lopez.
1.-Two thousand" replied the other.
Tell Alvira will not be with him
as have bigger things to do" said
Lopez. but to make the attack as
planned. Cross the line and kill every
man, woman and child in Discovery,
except Of course, our compatriots."
The messenger Rutledge had sent
for the dynamite and drills returned
from town and found the ranger and
his men encamped on a small level
tract near the bowlder.
The men began at once to drill the
rock. AS they were working Rutledge
was startled by a large rock which
dropped at his feet. A piece Of paper
was attached to 1T Rutledge picked
1t up. tore 1t open and read 1t aloud
to Major. Pedro and Manuel.
Unless ten thousand dollars, in United
States gold coin, Is left at the big rock.
your woman will suffer q fate worse than
death We mean what we say. Signal
my messenger, who will be watching
Show white handkerchief IL you agree
THE LIBERAroR
Without asking the advice OF any.
one, Manuel started to wave a white
handkerchief. But, Rutledge grabbed
his arm and giving 1t a severe wrench
ing said: drop that. you chocolate
skinned skunk !" Then he drew his
gun and fred several times into the
air.
Rutledge stood looking into the burn
ing embers of the fire.
As he stood there, Manuel strolled
past and sneered in his face.
The ranger grabbed him by the
arm. Major, or no major. I'll fight
you, damn your" he shouted. ANY
place you name. any way"
"Sunrise-knives-t was Man.
uels answer, as he pointed to a big
stone.
Just then Pedro. making certain
that he was not observed, took a rope
and walked to the spot where the
sticks of dynamite were piled up. He
picked up several of these and stuck
them under his shirt. Then, he start
ed toward the place where he had
seen the smoke rising. Reaching the
top of the cliff, he uncoiled the rope.
fastened one end around q large rock
and then slowly began to lower him
self into the outlaw camp.
At that moment, Liberty, who was
pacing up and down in her small foul
smelling prison, finally reached de-
cision. She walked to the rear of the
hut. The bottom log merely rested
on the ground. She took the axe from
the wall and began to dig.
Pedro stood gazing about him, pre-
paratory to his next move, when he
heard a peculiar scraping sound. He
turned and listened again. It came
from the direction of the hut, and,
as he walked toward it, he was sur
prised to see something white moving
back and forth on the ground. AS he
reached the spot, he leaned over. 1t
was a woman's hand and in an in
slant Pedro's heart jumped with JOY.
He dropped to the ground. "Senorita,
senorita,' he whispered as he grasped
her hand. mo fear now: come
save you"
"PedroI Pedrol" came back the
words from within.
Then he dropped on one knee and
began enlarging the hole.
Finally, after Pedro had worked as
no Mexican ever worked before, Lib
erty slowly, and quietly, watching
Lopez all the time, crawled through.
1--WE must hurry" whispered Pedro.
"Captaine and Major up there-wait-
ing" And he pointed towards the
cliff.
They hurried to the place where
Pedro had left his rope. When they
arrived at the foot of the cliff he
handed her the handkerchief with the
American flag and told her to wave
1T when she reached the top.
Then she started to climb up the
rope A sentry who happened to wake
up at the moment saw her. He raised
his gun and fired an alarm.
Lopez jumped to his feet. His men
did likewise. They started for Pedro
but he reached in his shirt and pull
ing out stick of dynamite hurled 1t
at them. 1t dropped few feet In
front of them and they all fell back.
An instant later 1T exploded. throw
ing debris in all directions. Liberty
continued climbing up the rope.
Tn fhe meantime a few miles away.