Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-09-24


bunk-house likely; the others are with
the cattle up the valley"
"But none in your cabIn7"
He shook his head.
"And you say Lacy cannot get here
before dark How lateTD
+WelI, senorita. may as wen tell
you, / suppose. It is the rule not to
enter this valley after dark. expect
the AmerIcanos to arrive about ten
o'clock"
1.-THE Americanos?"
"Si,,there Will be three III 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 II no encourage
ment. The man meant well, no doubt,
and would fight valiantly on occasion !;
he was no coward. no weakIing equal
" clear his was not the stun from
which leaders are made. There was
uncertainty in his eyes, lack of.force
10 his face which told the story. What
ever was decided upon. or accom-
plished, must be by her vOlltion; she
could trust him 70 obey, but that was
all.
Then we will make no attempt to
leave the valley until after dark she
said slowly. even liz we got away
now, we would be pursued and over
taken, for the desert offers few
chances for conceaIment. Ii we can
reach that smaller cabin unseen we
ought to be safe enough there for
hours. Cateras win not bother, and
with Mendez captive his men win not
learn what has occurred. Is not this
our best plan, Mr.. sCavendish?"
"And at Right?"
"We must work some scheme to get
horses and depart before those others
reach here. II 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
ter9,
That he did not was evidenced by
the vacant look in bis eyes, ana she
waited for no answer.
Here" she said, thrusting the re-
volver into hts hand. stake this and
guard Mendez until return. 1t will
only be a moment. Don't take your
eyes or him; there must be no alarm"
She moved forward through the
gloomy shadows toward the light
showing at the mouth OF the cave and
was able to gain comprehensive view
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 clifT. 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. It was built Of logs,
wei 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
fort. Confident there could be no bet I
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, Il any of your men are there. If
YOU dare utter q sound, or make mo-
ton, this man win shoot you dead In
your tracks-do you understand?"
His look was ugly enough, although
he compelled the thin lips to smile.
Quite ciearly-yes; but pardon me
IL ! doubt. You might kill me; think
that, vet how would it serve your one
shot fred would bring here a dozen
mem then what ~
7 thank you. senior there viii be no |
shot fired. Give me the revolver, Mr.
now take this knife. Az
We advance walk one step behind Men. |
der. You will know what to do. Nav
senior Il you wish to try an experi.
ment--we 60 now"
There was not a sound, not a word
Not unlike three shadows they crossed |
the open space. and found shelter he
hind the walls of the hut. The airl
never removed her eyes from the other
cabin, and Casendlsh, step behind
bis prisoner poised for quick blow
the steel blade glittering in uplsted
hand, saw nothing but the back Of the
man before him. The latter shrnrged
his shoulders and marched forward
his eyes alone evidnneInv th1 N.., /