Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1920-10-27


evidently startled. but not knowing
which way TO turn. The figure ON the
ground lifted itself partly. and 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 the mass with sufficient vehe-
mence 20 reach the strained ears
above. and the watchers were able 10
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 one sleeve was hastily rolled
mp, and water brought from the stream,
In which il was bathed. Moore's hand
closed convulsively on the marshals
arm.
ITS OF Mendez. az I'm n livin' sin
ner," he announced hoarsely. AN
somebody's plunked him. What'd yer
make o. that?"
Brennan never removed his gaze
from the scene below, but his face was
tense with interest.
BLAMED If / know; might be a mere
row-hold on. there. Whoever did il
is in that cabin; watch what they're
up TO, now"
More guns We're brought forth from
the clubhouse. and distributed the
single horseman rode swiftly up the
valley. and a half-dOzen of the fel-
lows lugged a heavy timber up from
the corral. and dropped II on the
ground I'm 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 logl" 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 theyy" and Bren-
nan sat up. 1.-THE whole gang must be
outside there; / 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 10 do
that job. Maybe wen find out now
has9 r,aurdfne, ,,.fsh N ra,snl,.ar h,,tf or,
the front door"
They listened breathlessiy. hanging
recklessly over the rim of the chasm
and staring at that strange scene be-
low, but the mans words only reached
them broken and detached. They got
enough. however. 20 realize that he de-
handed the mbarring 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
~. "The man spoke English Who
ever's in there doesn't understand
Spanish. Were any Americans down
ssere when you left. Moore?"
"Joe Skies. and a fellow they call
shorty but they're both outside; that
was Joe who bound up Of Mcndez'
arm. an Shorty was helpin' bring up
the log"
The eyes OF Brennan and WestcOtt
met Understandings.
eyer don't suppose that girl"
"Aye, but / do" and Westcott's
voice proved his conviction. There's
nothing too nervy for her 10 tackle If Il
needed TO be done. But she never
could have corralled Mendez alone"
"Then there must be another along
with her-that fellow yer Vtold me
about likely"
Erred Cavendish! BY Jove, II would
be like him. Say, boys. I'm going down
and take a hand in this game"
The marshall gripped him.
Not yet. JImi II amt dark enough.
Wait a bit more an I'm with yer, old
man. TIN be blacker than HI
down there in fifteen minutes. an then
we'll have some chance. They'd pot
rs now sure afore we got as far as
that cedar. What Is the gang up TO
now. Matt?"
There a goin' ter bust in the door"
and Moore craned his head farther out
over the edge in eagerness 70 see. Il
reckon they didn't git no answer that
pleased 'em. See OF 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 hear?"
They did; the dull reverberation as
the log butt crashed against the closed
door was plainly audible. Once, twice,
three times il 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
cleavlng the dusk. and throwing the
figures OF the men into sudden bold
relief. The log wielders sprang aside.
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