The Monticellonian., 1919-10-31


 a+ ssa3ng an ehfect fall close before him. where it stood qulyering in the ground. \ glance told him that it was an arrow. and looking upward. he saw q ffcure standing upon a ledge, who with a threatening gesture sprang hack and disappeared. fingered at what he considered a dastardly at tempt upon his life, Davis cooked his rifle and started forward en a run. Five minutes later Rainface, stepping from behind a tree with hand upraised, advanced upon the amazed John, and without speaking, led him to a point which overlooked Morgan's troop just leaving the shack. The Indians voice fairly hiSSed. so great was his passion.
 He find gold He steal it. He try kill you. He bad man. Me know" For q moment John heSitated, then noting the fearful earnpstness of the other. he nodded.
 "FH go down and see about 1t. You keep hidden until 1 see you.' Off he went. half sliding down the trail.
 Before Morgan he halted.
 What are you doing here?' was his demand. Ealing with anger, the Hawk eazed at him.
 Since when was I accountable to you?a he sneered.
 "What did you put in that shack?"
 Nothing"
 That's q lie. You put gold there. Are you d thief? A traitor?' The face af the Hawk grew liyid with rage. John threw up his hand, and at the signal the old Indian sprang among tham, one long finger pointed at the traitor.
 Heap big liar Spider. too. Me see you fix boat, cut rape-lo everything h. said fereely. Whipping out his gun. fhe villain r9area to his crew.
 sGet 'em hoys. Al the gold in the shack Tor you if
 Seizing he nan nearest to him, Davis hurled him into the midst of the already oaruShing pack. Two leaps took him within the shack. Rain- face at his sid-. Instantly they slammed the door shut and barred il. by good fortune the windows of the Hlaee being already heavily shuttered. Barely in time they threw themselves upon the floor for the next instant rain If bullets eame splintering through the door while from knot holes and cracks they returned the compliment as hest they could. And so hot Was the fire that the gang out Siae broke and took shelter behind the trees.
 From their places of coneealment, F'ream, taking Morgan by the sleeve, pointed at the shack.
 If We could cut those two lower foundation posts on which the shack rests. the whole shebaug would slide te the edge of the cliff and 20 smash ing down into thr valley" The dark face of Morgan lighted.
 Good. I'll have fl done.' He called 10 two of his mon.
 You fellows take saws, and while we divert their attention by a sham attack in front, you two sneak around the other way and saw off those posts. Savyy?7 With grins of appreciation of their opportunity to win reward. thp seonnarelS= erept away, while the rest of the gang opened a heavy fire upon the little building.
 Within the shack, John and Rainfaee were hauling desperately for their lives. Lying upon the floor and en- tirely out of sight If the rHflans without they kept 50 keen watch that uo sooner WIS au arm or leg exposed than bullet soon found it. sending it's owner down With a howl of pain Davis turned 10 lis partner with a grim smile.
 T guess We can hold them eff. Rain face. They can't get in. and unless they can think If some new devil meht--9 He ceased speaking and sat up in alarm. Slowly hut enthusiastically The Htrle building was hagfnrine to slide down the steep slope toward where tho cliff dropped in sheer plunge
 'Great God. We're going overm he cried.
 Helpless, thrown this way and that hE the violent tippings Of the affair, 1 they eluhg onto whatever came handi. est, gazing into each others face with the eyes of men already dead.
 in the very act of plunging into the abyss the stump of one of the severed supports caught upon q projection. ] stopping the onward movement of the building hut bending and buckline beneath the strain A glance telling titih that t needed but triaing effort to remove thiS last obstacle and send the structure crashing to the bottom. the Spider swiftly uncoued q rope. Almost quicker than can be told he had made one end fast to the bent and fast-weakening post, while q dozen hands eagerly seized the other end of the lariat.
 Now, all together" roared Morgan.
 There was mighty heave upon the rope, and before it the weak suDnort gave way. PoiSing itself for mo- nent on the brink and seeming to shudder in every joint and plank at the fate that was in store for it. the building toppled into it's awful plunge. (END OF FOURTEENTH EPISODE1