The Raymer enterprise., 1920-04-01

fer 4 drink. His name wus Gasklns. I
he'd him up fer mayhem onct. I'll bet
he's the duck. for he hung round Jacks
place most o. the time. Whatcha want
me ter do?"
1T has seemed to me. Tim." said
thoughtfully. that the best action for
Us to take will be to let them place the
girl 10 my hands. just as they have
planned to do. That will throw them
entirely of their guard. Once we sue
coed In getting her safely away. and
remain unknown ourselves, there ought
to be very little trouble in straighten.
ing out the whole matter. Ny plan
would be to either ride around the
camp In the night. and then report tbs
whole affair at headquarters. or else
to strike out direct for Fort Armstrong
across country. Do you know any
place you can pick up horsef'
That's a slew ov 'em round yere,"
be admitted. These fellers are most
all hoss-soldiers. I reckon I cud cinch
sum sort o critter. Yer want me
e'ong?"
perhaps not. Tim. Your disappear.
ance might cause suspicion. and send
them after Us. Ny plan is to get away
as quietly as possible. and let them be-
lieve everything Is all right. want
day or two In which to work, before
Rale or Kirby discover we have not
gone to Bear Creek. I'll met them alone
at the spring down the trail. but shall
want you somewhere near by. You see
this IL bound to mean 4 fight II ! am
recognIzed-likely three against one:
and those men wouldn't hesitate At
murder"
II reckon not. an II wudn't be their
furst one nuther. Looks ter me like
yer wus takin' q big chance. ri be
thar, though; yer kin bet on thet. an
ready fer fight er a foot race. This
ID how ! size II up-if thar ain't no
row. I'm just ter keep still an low; an
II a fracas starts I'm ter jump In fer
all I'm worth. Is thet the prosrami"
"Exactly-that's my idea"
"Wal' then. I'm q prayin' 1t starts ]
want Just one crack ct thet Kirby. the
ornary cuss."
We talked the whole matter over In
detail. having nothing better to do. and
endeavoring to arrange for every
probability. yet did not remain togeth-
or for long.
] felt nervous, anxious, eager for
action. The time dragged horribly.
What II something Unforeseen should
occur to change Rale's plant Ny God
II ! only know where 1t was thsy had
concealed the girl.
The two Of % explored about the d.
lent cabin, but discovered nothing.
There was no light visible In the rear
room. nor any sound Of movement with.
In. The two windows were closed. and
the door locked. We found Z conven.
lent stump In the woods and eat down
to walt where We could zee all that
occurred about the cabin.
It was nearly twelve before even the
slightest sound near at hand indicated
the approach Of others. was already
In an agony Of suspense. imagining
something might have gone wrong,
when the dull scufillns Of horses hoofs
being led cautiously up the trail to
my right broke the intense silence. !
listened to assure myself. then shook
Tim into wakefulness. leaving him still
blinking in the shadow Of the stump,
while l advanced In the direction Of
the spring. ] saw nothing Of Rale until
he spoke.
THAT yer, Moffettr
"Yes; whar's yer partyr
! caught a view Of his dim outlines,
as he stepped slightly forward, reas
sured by my voice.
They'll be yere; thar's q bit O. time
ter spare yit. I aimed not ter keep 'em
waitin'. Here. this IL yer hoss. an
yere's the leadln' strap fer the others.
Better tie It ter yer pommel. l reckon.
SOS ter leave both yer hands free-yer
might hav' need fer 'em. Well tend
ter mountin' the gurls. an then all
yen hav' ter do will be ter lead of.
Better walk the hosses till yer git
crost the crick. go the sojers won't hear
yer. Got thatf"
Il reckon I hav', an sense 'nough
ter know It without bein' told. Did yer
think ] wanted ter be catched on this
jobf'
@All right. but thar's no harm Q
tellin' yer. Whars Tim gone tot"
II reckon be don't even know his
self: he's sure sum drunk"
RaIe chuckled. patting the side Of
the horse next him.
(TO BE CoNTTNUED.)