The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-11-25


chance to get straight again." He
threw back his coat and exhibited his
star. 'Yer see, amt just talkin' ter
yer as Dan Brennan-I'm the law"
The boy, for he was scarcely more
than that In years, shuffled his feet
uneaslly, and his eyes wandered from
Brennan to Westcott. The look Of sui
len defiance had vanished.
"Wotcher wanter askT'
"Who was with you the out-trip,
along with Miss Donovanf"
"Joe Skies"
"And yer left him back there, guard
ing the girl?"
"He stayed; them was the orders,
while 1 was to bring back the team;
but I reckon he won't need to do no
guardin' to speak of, fer we run inter
bunch o. fellows"
''How many are they?'
'Maybe dozen; don't just know"
"What was done with the young
lady?"
Moore spat vindlctively into the
sand, digging a hole with his heel. He
had talked already more than he in
tended, but what was the 'difference2
"Cateras took her." he admitted,
'but / don't know whar. tried ter find
out whar she was, but nobody'd tell
me. ThenI had ter pull out"
Westcott interjected a question.
whats the valley like, an how do
you get into it?'
"Well, I'd say II was just a sort o.
sink in the desert, a kinder freak.
Anyhow, l never saw nuthip' like 1t
afore. The walls is solid rock, almost
straight up an down, but thar's con-
siderable stream flowin' down thar
that just bursts out hole In the
rock, an plenty o. grass fer quite
bunch of steers"
How do they get down into it?''
Long windin' trail on the west
side. 1t used to be mighty rough,
reckon, an only good fer hikers, but
they fixed 1t up so they can drive cat
tie down, an even wagon If yer take
1t easy"
"And there is no other way to the
bottom except along this trailr
| "That's bout ALL"
Brennan and Westcott looked at
each other, both uncertain as to, the
next step. What were they to do with
their prisoner? And how could they
proceed toward effecting the rescue Of
the helpless girl? II was a problem
not easy to solve, If what Moore told
them was true. The latter shuffled his
feet I'm the sand, lifted his eyes shrewd-
ly, and studied the faces of his cap
tors. He was figuring his own
chance.
"You fellows want ter get down in
ter the valley?" he asked at last.
"Yes," and Brennan turned again
quickly, "if it can be done. OF course
sort o. foolish tryin' ter fight a way
through, even ag'in' Mexicans. Fiji
teen ter two Is some odds, but faint In
my nature, or Jim's here. ter turn
round an leave that girl In the hands
O. them cusses-is 1t, JimT
~ never WILL" replied westcott
earnestly. mot II have to tackle the
| WnOle Outnt dlOne.
"You won't have to do that. What's
the idea, Moore?"
"Oh, was just thinkin," he an
swered, still uncertain. III show yer
way, what is thar In 1t fer mer
Brennan stiffened, his features ex-
pressing nothing.
"What do you mean2 I'm an officer
o. the laww
II know 1t; amt asking yer ter
make no promise. But yer word will
go HI ov a ways If this ever gets In
court. II help yer I've got to be pro-
tected frum Bill Lacy. He'd kill me
as quick as he'd look at me. Then
I'd want yer ter tell the judge how II
all happened. know ye're square,
Dan Brennan, an whatever yer says
goes"
| The marshal stuck out his hand.
"That's the gospel truth. Matt" he
said gravely, "an' I'm with yer till the
cows come home. What is II you
know?"
"well," with a quick breath as he
took the plunge, "it's like this, mar.
snail; there is just one place out yon-
der" and he waved his hand to indi-
cate the direction, ION the east rim O
the valley, where yer might get down
Ye'd have ter hang on tooth an toe
nail; but both of yer are mountain
men, an / reckon yer could make the
trip If yer took 1t careful an slow
like"
westcott asked: "How can we gel
there safely? Can you guide usi"
Moore swept his eyes over the dull
range OF sand, expectorated thought
fully, and rammed his hands deep into
his trouser-pockets He was slow
about answering. but the two mer
waited motionless.
"Tf II was me-" he said finally, "rd
take 1t on foot. It'll be jaunt o,
near on TO three miles, unless yel
want ter risk bein' seen BY then