The daily Alaskan., 1920-07-10

'Danged if l know he said draWl- ingly. Maybe 1t does, and maybe again 1t don't I was Sorter putin this an that together. 1 never got hold oy any proof, but Lacy has shipped a pile O cattle out O Villa Real, al- though why he should ever drive his cows there across the desert instead O shippln' them here in Haskell or TaylOrvIlle, I never could understand. That's the principal reason I've got for thlnkin' he an Mendez are in cahoots, an If they be, then the Mexican must have some kind O a camp out there In the sand whar he hides between raids; though, damn If l know whar it can be-" He paused collectively. It'll be like hunting needle in the hayStacE, Jim. but I reckon you an I'll have to get out that way, an We might have luck enough to stumble onto the old devil"
 Westcott changed his position, in- advertently bringing his head above the protection of the rock. Instantly there was a sharp report, and a speed Ing bullet grazed his hair, tiattening out against the stone. The rapidity with which he tucked caused the mar shal to laugh.
 Not hurt, are you? No. That was a rifle; Mike isn't such bad shot with that weapon. He's over there behind that tree-see the smoke? If the Cuss pokes his head out, I'll try the virtue Of this 45; It ought to carry that far. Hah. there he Is; I made the bark fly, anyway"
 The afternoon wore away slowly, the two men realizing more and more clearly the nature of the siege. Their only safety lay in the protection of the rocks, as they were now entirely surrounded, and fred upon from either bank the moment either raised Ia head No attempt-waS made, how ever. to assault their position. nor did they often return the fire, desiring to preserve for future use their small. supply Of ammunition. Brennan re- maincd watcbful, but silent breeding nver his plans for the night, but Vest colt became overpOwered by fatigue and slept quietly for several hours.
 The sun was already sinking behind the range of mountains when he finally aroused himself and sat up. Brennan greeted him with a goOd-natured grin.
 Well, do you feel better, Jim?" he asked pleasantly. "ThMght I'd let you sleep as long as I could. for we've got some job ahead of us. Sorry thar ain't no breakfast waitIn'. fer wouldn't ob- feet ter bit O ham bone myself. l reckon if Lacy cOOpS me up much long CT he's liable ter win his bet; I'm plumb near starved out already"
 I'm afraid they've got us. Dan.'
 "Oh, I don't know; leastwiSe l aln't put up no white flag yet. You're game fer a try at gettin' out O yere, ain't yer. old man? I've sorter been reckonin' on yer
 I'll take any chance there is,' re- turned WestcOtt heartily, staring into the others face. Have you some plan?"
 Maybe 'taint that exactly, but I've been dOin' a powerful lot q thtnkin' since you was asleep, Jim, an reckon we might beat these fellers with q fair show O luck. This is how l figure 1t outs Thar won't be no attack; that's a cinch. Lacy knows We can shoot. an he also knows we're marooned we're without food. The eas- jest thing is ter starve us out"
 But there are good men in this camp, law-abiding men," interrupted the miner. Wont they take hand?'
 Maybe they might if was free ter get 'em together; but aIn't. Most O 'em are out in the mines, anyway; they don't know which party Is right in this rumpus. an they aint got no leader. Lacy runs the town, an he's got big gang O tOughS behind him. There ain't nobody wants to buck up against his game. Of course the boys might get mad after a while, but l reckon we'd be starved plumb ter death long afore that happened. An that ain't the worst uv it, Jim-the sheriff is Lacy's man. l wouldn't never dare turn you over ter htm-not by a jugful."
 "Then we are blocked at every turn"
 "We sure are, unless we can dig out ourselves" gravely. My notion Is to get a fair start, drift out into Sho- shone, whaT we'll leave no trail, an' then hit for over the line."
 "On footY'
 "R-l, no! I aln't no such walker as all that Come over yere; keep yer head down; nov look out between these two rocks. Do yer see them cow-ponieS hitched ter the rack along side O the Red Dog? Well, they've been thar fer a matter O three hours, I reckon, an their riders ain't liable ter leave as long as thar's any ex- cltement in town. They're XL men, and mostly drunk by this time. It's my aim ter get a leg over one O them