The Lamar register., 1920-06-30

felt the marshaps fingers grasp his
arm. 81 got II sized up proper Who
ever them folks are, they've barrlcaded
inter that back room. Likely they've
got dead range on the front door
an them Mexes have had all they want
-tryin' to get to 'em In that way. So
now they're crawlin' in through the
window. There'll be some huliabalOp
In there presently to my notion. an |
want ter be thar ter see the curtain go
up. Wharabouts are we Mattf"
Back o. the bunk house. Whar do
yer want ter go1 | kin travel round
yere with my eyes shut"
'The front o. Mendez' cabin" said
the marshal shortly. Better take the
other side; If that door Is down wen
take those fellows In the rear afore
they know what's happening" He
chuckled grimly. "We've sure played
In luck so far. boys; go easy now. and
draw yer guns"
They were halfway along the side
wall when the firing began again-but
II was not the Mexicans this time who
began It. The shotgun barked; there
was the sound of falling body; two
revolver shots and then the sharp ping
of Winchester. Brennan leaped past
the boy ahead, and rounded the cor
ner. A Mexican stood directly In front
of the shattered door peering in, RI
fle yet smoking In his hands. With
one swift blow OF revolver butt the
marshal dropped him In his tracks. the
fellow rolling OF the steps onto the
ground. With outstretched hands he
k1..,.
out of any possible view from within
"Quick now. before that bunch In
side gets wise to what's up. We've got
'em cornered. You. Matt. strip the
jacket of that Mex, an get his hat;
bunch 'em up together and set match
TO 'em. That's the stuffl Now, the
minute they blaze throw 'em In through
that doorway. Come on, Westcott. he
ready to jump"
The hat was straw. and the bundle
of blazing material landed almost In
the center of the floor. lighting mp the
whole Interior. Almost before If
struck. the three men. revolvers gleam-
ing In their hands. had leaped across
the shattered door. and confronted the
startled band huddled In one corner.
Brennan wasted no time. his eyes
sweeping over the array Of faces, re-
vealed by the blaze Of fire on the floor.
/ Hands up. my beauties-every
mothers son of yer. Yes. / mean you.
yer human cataplller. Don't wnste any
time about It: I'm the caller fer this
dance. Put 'em up higher. less Yer
want ter commit suicide. Now drop
them rifles on the fioor-gently.
friends. gently. Matt. frisk 'em and
see what other weapons they carry.
Ever see nicer bunch o. lambs. Jimf"
his lips smiling. but with an ugly look
to his cleaning teeth. and steady eyes.
/ "why. they'd eat outer yer hand.
Which one OF yer is Mendez7'
He dead, senor." one fellow man
aged to answer In broken English.
'srhat heem lie dar."
"well. that's some comfort" but
without glancing about. "Now kick
the guns over this way. Matt, and
touch match to the lamp on that
shelf yonder: and. Jim. perhaps you
better stamp out the fire; wen not
need II any more. Great Scott What's
thisY'
II was Miss Donovan. her dress torn,
her hair disheveled. a revolver still
clasped In her hand, half leyeled as
though she yet doubted her realization
Of what had occurred. She emerged
from the blackness of the rear room.
advanced a step and stood there hesi-
tating, her wideopen eyes gazing about
In bewilderment on the strange scene
revealed by the glow OF the lamp. That
searching pathetic glance swept from
face to face about the motionless cir
cle-the cowed Mexican prisoners with
uplifted hands backed against the
wall the three dead bodies huddled on
the floor: Moore with the slowly ex-
piring match yet smoking in his fin
gers; the little marshal. erect. re-
volver poised In either hand. his face
set and stern. Then she saw West
colt. and her whole expression changed
An instant their eyes met; then the
revolver fell to the floor unnotlced. and
the girl sprang toward him. both hands
outstretched.
Your" she cried utterly giving way.
forgetful Of all else except the sense Of
relief the recognition brought her.
"Ysui OH Now know IT is all right
I was so sure you would come"
He caught the extended hands eager
ly drawing her close and looking