The Dolores star., 1920-04-02

fer drink. His name WIS Gaskins,
he'd him up fer mayhem onct. I'll bet
he's the duck. for he hung round jack 3
place most o. the time. Whatcha want
me ter do?"
at has seemed to me. Tim l SAID
thoughtfuly. that the best action for
us to take will be to let them plnce the
girl In my hands. just us they have
planned to do. That will throw them
entirely OF their guard. Once we sue
ceed in getting her safely away. and
remain unknown ourselves, there ought
to be very little trouble in straighten-
ing out the whole matter. My plan
would be to either ride around the
camp in the night. and then report tn,
whole affair at headquarters. or else
to strike out direct for Fort Armstrong
across country. Do yJu know any
place you can pick up horse?"
That's a slew ov 'em round yere."
he admitted. These fellers are most
all hoss-soldiers. 1 reckon cud cinch
sum sort o. critter. Yer want me
a'ongy'
perhaps not, Tim. Your disappear
ance might cause suspicion. and send
them after us. My plan Is to get away
as quietly as possible, and let them be-
lieve everything is all right. want a
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 is bound to mean fight II | am
recognzed-likely three against one;
and those men wouldn't hesitate at
murder"
81 reckon not, an Il wudn't be their
furst one nuther. Looks ter me like
yer wus takin' a big chance. I'll be
thar. though yer kin bet on thet, an
ready fer fight er n foot race. This
Is how ! size it up-if thar amt no
row. I'm just ter keep still an low: an
II fracas starts I'm ter jump in fer
all I'm worth. Is thet the program
"Exactly-that's my idea"
"Wal' then, I'm n prayin' it starts;
want just one crack ct thet Kirby, the
ornary cuss.''
detail. having nothing better to do. and
endeavorng to arrange for every
probability, yet did not remain toseth-
er for long.
| felt nervous, anxious. eager for
action. The time dragged horribly.
What II something Unforeseen should
occur to change Rale's plan? My God!
concealed the girl.
The two Of us explored about the ST.
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
lent stump In the woods and sat down
to wait where we could see all that
occurred about the cabin.
1t was nearly twelve before even tho
slightest sound near at hand indicated
the approach Of others. l was already
in an agony Of suspense. imagining
something might have gone wrong
when the dull scuffling 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 advanced in the direction Of
the spring. saw nothing of Rale until
he spoke.
THAT yer. Moffett?'
Yes; whars yer party?"
! caught view of his dim outlines
as he stepped slightly forward, reas
sured by my voice.
They'll be yere; thars bit O. time
ter spare yt. l aimed not ter keep 'em
waitin'. Here, this is yer boss, an
yere's the leadin' strap fer the others.
Better tie 1t ter yer pommel, reckon,
SOS ter leave both yer hands free-yer
might hav' need fer 'em. Wen tend
ter mountin' the gurls, an then all
yell hav' ter do Will be ter lead Off.
Better walk the hosses till yer git
crost the crick so the sojers won't hear
yer. Got that2'
II reckon l hav'. an sense 'nough
ter know 1t without bein' told. Did yer
think l wanted ter be catched on this
job7"
"All right. but thar's no harm a
tellin' yer. Whar's Tim gone to?"
Il reckon he don't even know his.
self; he's sure sum drunk"
Rale chuckled. patting the side of
the horse next him.