The Arizona copper camp., 1920-12-11

tnarS only TWO or us, an 1t would De
sort O. foolish tryin' ter fight way
through, even ag'in' Mexicans. Fif-
teen ter two is some odds, but 'tain't in
my nature, or Jim's here, ter turn
round an leave that girl in the hands
O. them cusses-is it, Jim?"
81 never will replied Westcott
earnestly. "Not if 1 have to tackle the
whole outfit alone"
"You won't have to do that. What's
the idea, Moore?"
"Oh, 1 was just thinkin'," he an
swered, still uncertain. "If show yer
q way, what is thar, in it fer meT'
Brennan stiffened, his features ex-
pressing nothing.
"What do you mean? I'm an officer
O. the law!"
II know it; amt asking yer ter
make no promise. But yer word will
go hi ov ways if this ever gets in
court If 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 it
all happened. I 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, san I'm with yer till the
COWS come home. What is it you
know?
WELL" with a quick breath as he
took the plunge, ''it's like this, mar
shall; there is just one place out yon-
der" and he waved his hand to indi-
cate the direction, "on 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 it careful an slow
like"
Westcott asked: "How can we get
there safely? Can you guide us?''
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 men
waited motionless.
''If it was me-" he said finally, I'D
take it on foot. It'll be jaunt Ov
near on to three miles, unless yer
want ter risk bein' seen by them
Mexes on the main trail. You couldn't
go straight, but would have ter circle
out an travel mostly behind that ridge
O. sand thar to the left. Coin that
away no5ody's likely ter get sight o.
yer on foot. You couldn't take no
boss, though. Here'd be my plan !:
Lead this we're outfit o. mine an your
ponies back inter them sand dunes
whar nobody ever goes. They're tired
'nough ter stand, an there amt any,
thing fer 'em to Craze on. THEN we
kin hoof it over ter the place I'm tell
in yer about, an yer kin sor'ter size
it up fer yerselves. That's fair, amt
it?"
They went at it with will. The
team was driven into the security of
the sand drifts and unhitched. The
saddles were taken from the backs of
the ponies, and what grain Moore had
in the wagon was carefully appor-
toned among the four animals. Salts
fed these would not stray, the men
looked carefully to their supply of
ammunition and set forth on their
tramp.
This proved a harder journey than
either Brennan or Westcott had an
fnu 1n1 off hpsiS1 Ill
taking a wide circle, until a consider
able ridge concealed their movements
from the south. At last Moore turned
sharply and plunged into what resem-
bled a narrow ravine through the
ridge. Here they struggled knee deep
in the sand, but finally emerged on the
very rim overlooking the valley.
So perfectly was it concealed they
were within ten feet of the edge be-
fore the men, their heads. bent in the
strenuous effort to advance, even real
ized it's immediate presence. Moore
grinned as he noted the surprise de-
picted on their faces, and waved his
hand.
4OI UCIICI IlC OOWA uA N1dWA Uk'
ter the edge" he advised. "Some
hole, amt itT'
II should say so," and Westcott
dropped to his knees. II never
dreamed Of such place. Dan, amt
this an eye-openerw
1T sure is," and the marshal crept
cautiously forward. "Only it's devils
who've got possession. What's that
down below, Matt? Houses, by Jingo p!
Well, don't that beat h-l?-all the
comforts of home"
"Two big cabins" explained Moore,
rather proud of his knowledge. "Cart-
ed the logs in from OF Badly, more'n
forty miles. Creep up a bit an I'll
show yer how the trail runs. Don't
be afeerd; nobody kin see yer from
down below"
"All right, son; where is it?"
"It starts at the foot O. that bowl
der" indicating with his finger, IAN