The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-10-23
"The sooner the better ~

but don't make sound them lads are
more liable to hear than they are to
see us. Let me go first"
The log was ut fhe other end of the
little island, but there was n consider
able rift In the rock surface, not deep,
but of sufficient width to permit the
passage of body. The Jagged stone
made the way rough In the dark, and
Westcott found himself mt the upper
extremity, gashed and bruised by the
contact.
Brennan lowered himself into the
water, assisted in the downward climb
by some low, tough bushes whose ten
drills chung tenaclously to the smooth
rock. Westcott followed silently, and
found footing In about three feet OF
water, where It swirled around the
base Of the island. Brennan put his
lips close to his companions ear.
''Got yer cartridges tied up7 That's
all right; hand 'em over. You hang
on to the outside, an I'll push off. II
yer have ter paddle ter keep In the
current. don't let yer hands err feet
come to the surface-understan
Certainly"
"All right them are you all set3
Holy smoke, this is going to be some
yacht ride"
The log did not even CRATE as 1t loos-
ened its slight hold on the rock, and
began the voyage downstream. The
current was swift enough to bear
1t and its burden free from the island,
although 1t moved slowly and noise
lessly on its way. The two men deep
ly submerged on either side, with heads
held rigid against the wet bark, were
indistnguishable. Out from the deep
er shadow, Brennan gently controlled
the unwieldy affair, and keeping 1t as
nearly as possible to the center, by the
water No alarm greeted its progress,
and at last, confident that they were al
ready safely below the extent of the
guard line the two men, ciinging to its
wet sides, ventured to kick out quietly,
and thus hasten its progress. 1t came
ashore at the extreme end Of the curve,
and, after moment of intent listen
ing, the voyagers crept up the sand,
and in whispers discussed the next eff
fort of their escape. The belts were
unstrapped from about the log, reload
ed with cartridges, and buckled around
dripping waists, before they clambered
cautiously up the low bank. The road
was Just beyond, but between them
and it arose the almost shapeless form
of small house, mere darker
shadow in the gloom Of the night
"Where are WEI" questioned West
colt.
"Just back Of old Beecher's shack.
He's trucking down Benson way, but Is
liable to have some grub stored inside.
/ was countin' on this for our COM
missary department Come on, Jim;
time is money just now"
The door was unlocked, and in less
than ten minutes they emerged once
more into the open bearing their spoils
l-Wescott, slab of bacon and a small
frying pan; Brennan a paper sack Of
cornmeal, with couple of specimens
of canned goods. He had also resur-
rected a gunny sack somewhere, in
which the things were carefully
wrapped, and made secure for trans
portatiOD.
Didn't feel no terbacco, did yer,
JIM" the marshal questioned solic-
itously. II reckon not, though; OF
Beecher never would leave nuthin'
like that lynn round Well, Lord we
ought ter be thankful fer what we've
got. Now, if we can only get away
with them bosses"
| They wormed their way forward to
the edge of the road through fringe
of bushes, Westcott laden with the bun
die. Except for the sound of distant
the night was STILL They could almost
hear their own breathing, and the
crackle Of dry twig underfoot
sounded to strained nerves like the
report of a gun. Crouching at the
edge of the road they could see
fairly well what was before them, as
revealed by the lights shining forth
! though the dingy windows of the
saloon. A hum of voices echoed out
into the night, but the platform in
front of the door was deserted. Oc-
casionally some wanderer either en-
tered or departed, merging into the
crowd within or disappearing through
the darkness without. TO the left OF
the building, largely within It's shadow,
stretched the hitch rail to which were
fastened fully dozen cow-ponies, most
of them revealed only by their restless
movements, although the few nearest
the door were plainly enough visible
in the reflection of light. Brenpan's
hand closed heavily on the arm of the
other.
"We1l pick out the two critters far
thest from the light" he muttered,
IAN trust ter luck. Well have to lead
em a ways afore we mount. Shall we
try 1t now?"
1.-THE sooner the better"
THAT'S me. Blamed II thought I'd
be boss thief, but when a Teller as
sociates with Bill Lacy there's no
KNOWN what he will come to. We
better try the other side O. the road.
jim"
They were in the flicker of light for
scarcely an instant, merely two dart
/ 81,