The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-11-27

Fastsnsd the Ns
1--WE will never get to the station be-
fore dark. There is an old shack mp
here that I know Of. and vote we
spend the night. there and hit the trail.
again at daylight. It's bad goin' along
this way after dark" .ls- =
where is the shnck7' asked Davis,
half convinced that the others was
speaking wisely. The Spider pointed
Indefinitely to one side.
~ think it's in there. You fellers
wait here till go and make sure. ri
be back in a few minutes" Easing
themselves In the saddles and rolling
cigarettes the remaining two settled
themselves down to wait.
Once out Of sight the Spider slipped
from the saddle. Choosing favorable
spot he drew an extra revolver from in
side his shirt and lashing 1t In the
fork Of tree carefully sighted 1t down
the trail Then. strinRing a small vine
across the path tied 1t to the trigger,
after which he returned to the waiting
pair with the information that the
shack lay in that direction. At once
ali three started along the way, Davis
In the lead.
Reaching the point where the spring
CUR was set. the two following rascals
softly drew their horses to one side.
All unconscious Of the Spiders treach-
cry, John rode on, his thoughts on
Ethel and the mine. From the. brush
beside the way came q sharp explosion,
and his horse falling upon its knees.
rolled over upon Its side with bullet
Through the brain. Half daxed by the
fall. John sat up just in time to see
the Spider dismount and go rushing
through the trees. firing as he ran at
some imaginary foe. Soon he re-
turned, gathering up the evidence Of
his futile attempt as he came.
| "Don't know for sure who he was, as
couldn't get good sight Of him, but
It looks to me MS though that cussed
Hermit Is still camping on our trail. !"
he explained.
He won't follow us any farther on
this trip said Morgan. Taking the
dnEed John upon his horse they rode
to tho cabin and retired for the night.
In the middle Of the night Morgan
and Bellas silently lifted their heads.
A moments listening told them that
Davis was sleeping soundly. and at q
whisper from the Hawk the Spider
sneaked to the stove and brought him
| the coffee pot, which. retaining for a
moment. the other handed back.
Just before dawn the Spider awak-
ened Davis. also shaking Morgan.
ssTime to be stirring" he announced
and sleepily they got upon their feet.
Pouring the coffee which he already
had heated. into their tin cups. Bellas
rendered each Of his companions one.
John, drinking his and thinking Of
Ethel. did not obserye that the other
men had secretly poured their portions
through q crack in the door.
For q couple Of minutes After he had
iinlshed the draught Davis sat upon
the side Of his bunk while the others
spoke brieny OF the coming events Of
the day as secretly they watched him.
Moment by moment his head sank low
er upon his chest, until with q long
sigh he fell backward upon the blank
cts, instantly beginning to snore. The
rascally pair arose.
He'll be dead to the world for q
couple Of hours after that doping"
laughed the Hawk. n the twain began
gathering TIE three lariats together.
and that win give Us time enough to
cook his goose for MI tinne." fass-
ing ont Of the shack they approached
q good sized sapling which stood close
to the wall.
At the HAWKS direction the Spider
climbed the tree and fastened one end
Of the stout lariRts to It, amer which
NJ. threw the ether ed Of tl1si rope
cross the rtige pole ~ the shack. 70
that It fen to0A aDd tAiled uuIoa the
far side. 70 the frse <Ad Msssan NV
sttachest = sseoad h1so, a1tsr- te3cA
- went e1aa ssd w. frcm whseA \