Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-10-14

Dunk-hOuSe ukelyS Lne OCnerS are Win |
the cattle up the valley"
But none in your cabin?'
He shook his head.
"And you say Lacy cannot get here |
before dark? How later
"Well, senorita, l may as well tell |
enter this valley after dark. l expect |
the AmericanOs to arrive about ten
O'clock"
'"The Americanos?"
Isl, there will be three in the party,
one Of them a man from New York,
who has business with me-"
Her clear, thoughtful eyes turned
inquiringly toward Cavendish, but the
survey brought with it no encourage
ment. The man meant well, no doubt
and would fight valiantly on occasion;
he was no coward, no weakling-
| ly clear his was not the stuff from
which leaders are made. There was
uncertainty in his eyes, lack of force
in his face which told the story. What
ever was decided upon, or accom-
plished, must be by her volitiOn; she
could trust him to obey, but that was
all.
"Then we will make no attempt to
leave the valley until after dark" she
said slowly. Even if we got away
now, we would be pursued and over
taken. for the desert Offers few
chances for concealment, If we can
reach that smaller cabin unseen we
ought to be safe enough there for
hours. Cateras will not bother, and
with Mendez captive his men will not
learn what has occurred. Is not this
our best plan, Mr.. Cavendish?"
"And at night?"
"NVe must work some scheme to get
horses and depart before those others
reach here. If we leave this man Sc
curely bound, his plight will not even
be discovered until Lacy arrives. By
that time, with any good fortune, we
will be beyond pursuit, lost in the des-
ert. Do you think of anything bet
teri"
That he did not was evidenced by
the vacant look in his eyes, and she
waited for no answer.
Here" she said, thrusting the re-
volver into his hand, take this and
guard Mendez until 1 return. 1t will
only be a moment. Don't take your
eyes off him there must be no alarm"
She moved forward through the
gloomy shadows toward the light
showing at the mouth of the cave and
,v,ne ,,b1o ~ eroi In n oop1proho nciva Wow
of the entire scene beyond. Within
the cave itself there was no move
ment, no evidence of life. Quite clear
~ no guard had been posted here, and
no precautions taken, although doubt
less the only entrance to the deep val
ley was carefully watched
The two cabins were directly before
the entrance, the smaller closely in
against the cliff, the larger slightly adj
vanced. Neither exhibited any sign
of life. Her study of the situation
concentrated on the small cabin imme-
diately in front. 1t was built of logs,
we'll mortised together and plastered
between with clay. There were no
windows on the end toward the cliff,
or along the one side which she could
see from where she lay. The single
door must open from the front, and
apparently the house had been erected
with the thought that it might some
time be used for purposes Of defense,
as it had almost the appearance of a
fort. Confident there could be no bet
ter time for the venture, Stella sig
nailed with her hand for the others to
join her.
"The way is clear" she said, "and
listen to my warning, senior. We are
going straight along the north side OF
your cabin there, until we reach the
door. For about twenty feet we shall
be exposed to view from that other
cabin, if any of your men are there. If
you dare utter a sound, or make mo-
ton, this man will shoot you dead in
your tracks-do you understand"
His look was ugly enough, although
he compelled the thin lips to smile.
"Quite clearly-yes; but pardon me
if 1 doubt. You might kill me 1 think
that, yet how would it serve you? One
shot fred would bring here a dozen
men-then what?"
81 thank you, senior; there will be nc
shot fired. Give me the revolver Mr.
Cavendish; now take this knife. AS
we advance walk one step behind Men
DEE. You will know what to do. Now
senior, if you wish to try an expert
ment-we go now"
There was not a sound, not a word
Not unlike three shadows they crossed
the open space, and found shelter be
hind the walls of the hut. The girl
never removed her eyes from the other
cabin, and Cavendish, a step behind
2 his prisoner, poised for a quick blow
? the steel blade glittefing in upls'ted
: hand, saw nothing but the back of the
, man before him. The latter shrugged
] his shoulders and marched forward
his eyes alone evidencing the passion
raging within.
: Without pausing they reached the
door, which stood slightly ajar. Stella
! oman fnoly ono e,,Yrifk