Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1919-09-25

Hc u~isappeaTeu, d vague uneaSlueSS III
her breast.
Well on his way, John was startled
ut seeing an object fall close before
him, where 1t stood qulvering In the
ground. A glance told him that it was
an arrow. and looking upward, he saw
4 figure standing ul.N a ledge, who
with Il threatening gesture sprang
back and disappeared. Angered at
what he considered a dastardly at
tempt upon his life, Davis cooked his
rifle and started forward on a run.
Five minutes LATER Ralnface. stepping
from behind a tree with hand appraised,
advanced upon the amazed John, and
without speaking, led him to q point
which overlooked Morgans troop just
leaving the shack. The Indians voice
fairly Kissed, so great was his passion.
HE find gold. He steal 1t. He try
Kill you. He bad man. Me know"
For u moment John hesitated, then
noting the fearful earnastness Of the
other, he nodded.
I'll 90 down and see about it. You
keep hidden until I see you" OF he
went, half sliding down the trail.
Before Morgan h. halted.
What are you doing here?' was
his demand. Paling with anger, the
Hawk gazed at him.
Since when was I accountable to
yOuY' he sneered.
What did you put in that shack?"
Nothing"
That's II lie. You put gold there.
Are you II thief? A traitorf" The face
of the Hawk grew livid with rag
John threw up his hand, and at the
signal the old Indian sprang among
them, n long finger pointed at the
traitor.
Heap big liar. Spider, too. Me see
you fix boat. cut rope-do everything"
he said tiercely. Whipping out his
gun, the villain roared to his crew.
"Get 'em, boys. All the gold in the
shack for you if"
Selling the man nearest to him,
Davis hurled him into the midst of
the already onrushing pack. Two
leaps took him within the shack, Rain
face at his side. Instantly they
slammed the door shut and barred II,
by good fortune the windows Of the
place being already heavily suffered.
Barely in time they threw themselves
upon the floor, for the next instant a
rain Of bullets came splintering
through the door, while from knot
holes and cracks they returned the
compliment as best they could. And
so hot was the fire that the gang out.
side broke and took shelter behind the
trees.
From their places Of concealment,
Fream. taking Morgan by the sleeve,
pointed at the shack.
"If we could cut those two lower
posts on which the shack
rests, the whole shebang would slide
to the edge of the cliff and go smash.
Ing down into the valley" The dark
Of Morgan lighted.
Good. I'll have It DONE" He called
to two Of his men.
You fellows take saws, and while
divert their attention BY a sham
attack In front, you two sneak around
other way and saw off those posts.
Savvy" With grins Of appreciation
Of their opportunity to win reward, |
the ~scoundrels crept away, while the
rest of the gang opened a heavy fire
upon the little building.
Within the shack, John and Rainface
we're battling desperately for their
Ives. Lying upon the floor and en-
tirely out of sight Of the ruffians
without. they kept so keen a watch that
40 sooner was an arm or leg exposed
han Il bullet soon found IL, sending
is owner down with Il howl Of pain.
Davis turned to his partner with a
grim smile.
II guess We can hold them of, Rain.
They cant get In, and unless
hey can think Of some new devil.
nent--" He ceased speaking and sat
Up In alarm. Slowly but Enthusiastically
he little building was beginning to
ilde down the steep slope toward
where the cliff drcpIed In a sheer
Great God! We're going overt" he
'ried.
Helpless, thrown this way and that
" the violent tippings Of the affair.
hey chung onto whatever came handi-
st. gazing into each others face with
eyes Of men already dead.
In the very act OF plunging into the
hySS, the stump Of M of the severed
Imports caught upon Il projection.
topping the onward movement Of the
but bending and buckling
the strain. A glance telling
i'm that 1t needed but u trifiing effort
o remove this last obstacle and send
he structure crashing ia the bottom,
he Spider swiftly uncoiled II rope.
Almost quicker than n be told he
AID made n end fast to the bent and
ast-weakening post. while a dozen
ands eagerly seized the other end OF
he lariat.
Now, all together" reared Morgan.
There was Il mighty heave upon the
ope, and before 1t the weak support
ave way. Polishing itself for a mo-
lent on the brink and seeming to
hudder in every joint and plank at
he fate that was in store for 1t. the
toppled into its awful plunge.