The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-11-20

able ridge concealed their movements
from the south. At last Moore turned
sharply and plunged into what resem-
bled narrow ravine through the
ridge. Here they struggled knee deep
in the sand, but finally emerged on the
very rim overlooking the valley.
So perfectly was 1t concealed they
were within ten feet of the edge be
fore the men, their heads bent in the
strenuous effort to advance, even real
lied its immediate presence. Moore
grinned as he noted the surprise de
picted on their faces, and waved his
hand.
Eyer better lie down an crawl up
ter the edge" he advised. "Some
hole, amt it7"
Il should say So" and Westcott
dropped to Lis knees. II never
dreamed of such place. Dan, amt
this an eye-openerT
1T sure is" and the marshal crep'
cautiously forward. "Only it's devils
who've got possession. What's that
down below, Matt? Houses, by lingo
Well, don't that beat h-l?-all the
comforts Of home"
1.-TWO big cabins" explained Moore
rather proud of his knowledge. Cart
ed the logs in from oil Badly, more'n
forty miles. Creep up bit an I'll
show yer how the trail runs. Don't
be afeerd; nobody kin see yer from
down below"
"All right, son; where is it?'
ut starts at the foot O. that bowl
der" indicating with his finger, IAN
goes along the shelf clear to the end
then thar's drop ov maybe five feet
to that outcroppin' O. rock just below
It's wider than it looks to be from
yere. After that yer can trace II
quite spell with yer eyes, kinder
sidlin' ter the left, till yer come tc
that dead root ov cedar. Then
thar's gap or two that amt over
easy, an slide down ter another
shelf. Yer can't miss It, cause there's
iio otileG way teE ~.
''And what's at the bottom"
"Them huts, an the mouth of big
cave Just behind 'em. | reckon it's in
the cave they've got the gal; there's
places there they kin shut up, but
don't know what they was ever made
fer. I asked Lacy wunst, but he only
laughed"
The two men lay fiat, staring down
1t was almost sheer wall, and the
very thought Of climbing along the al
most impossible path pointed out by
Moore made Westcott dizzy. 1t was
such a sheer, precipitous drop, path
if path it could be called-so thick.
ly studded with danger the mind ac
tually recOiled in contemplation.
They were still sitting there cross
legged in the sand when the silence
was suddenly punctuated by the SHARP
report Of a revolver. The sound bare
ly reached their ears, yet it undoubt'
eddy came from below. and all three
were, upon their feet, when a second
shot decided the matter.
Westcott was first at the rim, star
ing eagerly downward. For a mo-
ment all he noticed was man lying
on the ground in front Of the small
hut but almost Immediately men be
gan to swarm out through the door
Of the bunk-house, and a horseman
came squirting from the field beyond
The men were armed, several with
guns in their hands; all with revolv.
ers buckled at the waist, and they
punched there, just outside the door
evidently startled, but not knowing
which way to turn. The figure on the
ground lifted itself partly, and the
fellow must haye 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 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 one sleeve was hastily rolled
up, and water brought from the stream,
in which it was bathed. Moore's hand
closed convulsively on the marshars
arm.
Its Of Mendez, as I'm a Twin sim
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 II know; might be mere
row-hold on, therel Whoever did 1t