The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1920-10-14

punched there. just outside the door,
evidently startled. but not knowing
which way to turn. The figure on the
ground lifted itself partly. ard the
fellow must have called TO the others,
although no sound Of a voice attained
the summit Of the cliff, for the whole
gang rushed In that direction, and
clustered about, gesticulating excit-
eddy.
An occasional Spanish oath exploded
from h mass with sufficient vehe-
mence to reach the strained ears
above, and the watchers were able to
perceive the fellows lift the fallen man
to his feet. and unite his hands, which
were apparently secured behind his
back. He must have been wounded
also, for n sleeve was hastily rolled
up, and water brought from the stream,
in which IL was bathed. Moore's hand
closed convulsively on the marshaI's
arm.
Its oil Mendez, as I'm a Twin sin
ner," he announced hoarsely. "An'
somebody's pIunked him. What'd' yer
make o. that?"
Brennan. never removed his gaze
from the scene below, but his face was
tense with interest.
Blamed II ! know; might be a mere
row-hold on, therel Whoever did it
is in that cabin; watch what they're
up TO. now"
More gum were brohght forth from
the clubhouse, and distributed; the
single horseman rode swiftly up the
valley, and a half-doZen Of the fell
lows lugged a heavy timber up from
the corral, and dropped it or the
ground in front of the smaller cabin.
Mendez, his arm in a sling, passed
from group to group, %profanely busy,
swapping out orders.
"They are going to break in the door
with that log !" muttered Westcott be
tween his clenched teeth. ''That white
head down there is boiling with rage,
and whoever the poor devil. or devils,
may be, they'll have to fight"
"Yes, but who are they?" and Bren-
a sat up. "The whole rang must be
outside there; l counted fourteen.
Then, did you notice.? Mendez had his
hands bound behind his back. He
couldn't even get up until those fell
lows united him. That's what puzzles
me-"
ut would take more than one TO do
that job. Maybe wen find ont now
he's pounding with a reve.yer butt on
the front door,
They listened hIeathlessly, hanging
recklessly over the rim of the chasm,
and stEriDs at that strange scene be-
low. Drt the mans words only reached
hem broken and detached. They got
enough, however, to realize that he de-
manded the unbarrlng of the door, and
that he both threatened and promised
protection to whoever was within. II
was the language he employed that
aroused Westcott.
did you hear that?" he asked short
ly. "The man spoke English. Who
ever's in there doesn't understand
Spanish. Were any Americans down
there when you left, Moore?"
"JOe Skies, and a fellow they call
Shorty but they're both outside; that
vas Joe who bound up oil Mendez'
arm, n Shorty was helpin' bring up
the log"
The eyes of Brennan and Westcott
met Understandings.
"Yer don't suppose that girl"
"Aye, but l do" and Westcott's
voice proved his conviction. There's
nothing too nervy for her to tackle If it
needed to be done. But she never
could have corralled Mendez alone"
'Then there must be another along
with her-that fellow yer told me
about likely"
Erred Cavendish BY Jove, 1t would
be like him. Say, boys, I'm going down
and take a hand in this game"
The marshall gripped him.
mot yet, jim! 1t amt dark enough.
Wait a bit more an I'm with yer, old
man. It'll be blacker than HI
down there in fifteen minutes, an then
wen have some chance. They'd pot
us now sure afore we got as far ms
that cedar. What Is the gang up to
now, MattF
There a gOin' ter bust in the door,"
and Moore craned his head farther out
over the edge In eagerness to see. II
reckon they didn't git no answe thai
pleased 'em. See oil Mendez hOppin'
about! Lord he's mad 'nough to eat
nails. Thar comes the log-say, they
hit that some thump; thar amt no
wood that's goin' ter stand agin them
blows long. Do yer hearT"
They did; the dull reverberation as
the log butt crashed against the closed
door was plainly audible. Once, twice.
three times 1t struck. giving forth at
last the sharper cracking Of splintered
wood.
The door crashed in; there was a
fusillade of shots. the spits of fire
cleaving the dusk, and throwing the
figures of the men into sudden bold
relief. The log wieiders sprang aside.
and the others lesped forward. yelling
wildly and plung;ng in through the
broken doorway. An instant later three
mufled reports rang out from the in
terior-one deep and booming. the 9TH
- S.--~- n roCnponf-onA tho