Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-10-08

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 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 1t was bathed Moore's hand
closed convulsively ON the marshars
arm.
IT'S OIL Mendez, as I'm a livin' sin
ner," he announced hoarsely. "An'
somebody's plunked him. What'd yer
make o. that2"
Brennan never removed his gaze
from the scene below, but his face was
tense with interest.
Blamed If / know; might be mere
row-hold on, there! Whoever did it
Is In that cabin; watch what they're
up to, now"
More guns were brought forth from
the clubhouse, and distributed; the
single horseman rode swiftly up the
valley, and half-dozen Of the fell
lows lugged heavy timber up from
the corral, and dropped 1t on 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-
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-"
1T would take more than one to do
that job. Maybe Wen find out now
he's pounding with a revolver butt on
the front door,"
They listened breathlessly, 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, to realize that he de-
manded the unbarring 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 thatg' he asked short
ly. "The man spoke English. Who
eyers in there doesn't understand
Spanish. We're any Americans down
there when you left, Moore?"
Joe Skies, and fellow they call
Shorty, but they're both outside; that
was Joe who bound up OF Mendez'
arm, an Shorty was helpin' bring up
the log"
The eyes of Brennan and Westeott
met Understandings.
Eyer don't suppose that girl"
"Aye, but / do" and Westeott,s
voice proved his conviction. There's
nothing too nervy for her to tackle if 1t
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"
Fred Cayendish! BY Jove, It would
be like him. Say, boys, I'm going down
and take hand In this game"
The marshall gripped him.
mot yet, Jim! 1t amt dark enough.
Wait bit more an I'm with yer, old
man. It'll be b1acker than hi
down there In fifteen minutes, an then
Wen have some chance. They'd pot
us 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 to see. At
reckon they didn't git no answer that
pleased 'em. See oil Mendez hoppin'
about Lord he's mad 'n0ugh 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 reyerberation as
the log butt crashed against the closed |
door was plainly audible Once, twice,
three times it 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
eleaving the dusk, and throwing the
figures of the men into sudden bold
relief The log wipldprS Snrano aS;ao