The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1920-11-11

they are cropping their way to daylight thei
path is blocked by "A new arrival
He did so, and Cavendish strapped
the stout belt about them, winding II
In and out until he had sure pur
chase. He drew II so tightly the fel.
low WINGED.
at hurts, %senor," she said, salts.
fed. "lvell, to hurt you a little is bet.
ter than what you planned for me.
Now lead on. No, listen first. / know
who you are and your power here.
That is why we took this chance of
making you prisoner. We are des-
perate; 1t Is either your life, or ours,
senior You are an outlaw, with a
price on your head, and you realize
what chances one will take to escape.
Now, there is just n opportunity
given you to live"
"What, senorltaf"
THAT you accompany us down this
passage into the valley as hostage.
You will compel your men, If we en-
counter any, to furnish us horses"
"But the men may not obey. I can
not promise; Senior Cateras-"
"Senor Cateras will not be there"
she interrupted sharply. "We have
already seen to Senior Cateras. The
others will obey your"
"They may; / cannot promise"
"Then II will be your own loss; for
If there be a shot fired, you will get
either n bullet or a knife thrust. !
would try no sharp tricks, Senior
Mrndez. Now we go on"
Mendez smiled grimly In the dark,
his mind busy. 81 am to 20 hrstI"
and his voice assumed polite defer
ence.
Beside Mr.. Cavendish,' she replied,
land ] will be behind"
"This gentleman, you meanT"
"Yes; and there is no need for any
more acting. This Is the revolver
pressing against your back, senior. |
could scarcely miss you at that dis
lance"
They advanced in silence, through
the faint CLEAN Of light which IL
lumined the passage through the stone
Sits over the cell doors.
The darkness swallowed them
again, but the way was clear, and,
once around the sharp turn, a glim-
mer of distant daylight made advance
easier. There was no sign of any
guard visible. nor any movement per-
ceptible in the open vista beyond the
save entrance. The girl touched
Mendez' arm.
you expect Lacy?'
II have sent for him 1t was yester-
day"
And he could be here nowY'
Not before night; it Is a hard ride ::
why ask all thisf'
Il have reasons. Now another
thing; where are your men?"
His eyes wandered to the CLEAN of
daylight.
There will be one or two in he
bunk-house likely the others are with
the cattle up the valley"
But none in your cabinr"
he shook his head.
And you say Lacy cannot get here
before dark? How later"
We'll. %senorita, / may as well tell
you, l suppose. 1t is the rule not to
enter this valley after dark. I expect
the Americanos to arrive about ten
O'clock"
"The Americanos?"
"Si fhpra will ha throo a.. Al -
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 1t no encourage
ment. The man meant well, no mi
and would fight valiantly on occasion
he was no coward, no weakling-eoual.
ly clear his was not the stuff from
which leaders are made. There was
uncertainty in his eyes, a lack of force
In his face which told the story. What.
ever was decided upon, or accom-.
plished, must be by her volltion; she
could trust him to obey, but that was
all.
"Then we will make no attempt &c
y
leave the valley until after dark" she
said slowly. "Even If we got ava
now, we would be pursued and over
taken, for the desert offers few
chances for concealment. If we cal
reach that smaller cabin unseen W,
ought to be safe enough there fol
hours. Cateras will not bother, ant
with Mendez captive his men will no
learn what has occurred. Is not thi
our best plan. Nj. Cavendishf"
"And at niehtf"
I'VE must work some scheme to &c
horses and depart before those other
reach here. II we leave this man 81
curely bound. his plight will not eve
be discovered until Lacy arrives. b