The Lamar register., 1920-06-30


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 unbarrlng 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 thatf' he asked short
ly THE man spoke English Who
ever's In there doesn't understand
Spanish. Were any Americans down
there when you left. MOore?"
Joe Skies. and a fellow they call
Shorty but they're both outside: that
was Joe who bound up OIL Mendez'
arm, an Shorty was helpin' bring up
the log"
The eyes of Brennan and Westcott
met understandings.
"Yer don't suppose that girl"
"Aye, but l do" and Westcott's
voice proved his conviction. There's
nothing too nervy for her TO tackle If It
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 Cavendish! By Jove, 1t would
be like him. Say. boys, I'm going down
and take hand in this game"
The marshall gripped him.
mot yet, Jiml 1t amt dark enough.
Wait a bit more an I'm with yer. old
man. Itll be blacker 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, MattT'
There goin' ter bust in the door"
over the edge In eagerness to see. 81
reckon they didn't git no answer that
pleased 'em. See oil Mendez hoppin'
about Lord he's mad 'nough to eat
nails. Thar comes the log-say. they
hit that some thump; thar amt no
wood that's goln' ter stand agln them
blows long. Do yer hearr'
They did: the dull reverberation as
the log butt crashed against the closed
door was plainly audible. Once, twice.
three times 1t struck. giving forth at
last the sharper cracking OF splintered
wood
The door crashed in: there was
fusillade Of shots. the splits of fire
cleavlng the dusk. and throwing the
figures OF the men into sudden bold
relief. The log wielders sprang aside.
and the others leaped forward. yelling
wildly and plunglng in through the
broken doorway. An instant later three
mufiied reports rang out from the in
terior-one deep and booming. the 9th
ers sharper. more resonant-and the
invaders tumbled backward into the
open. seeking shelter. Westcott was
erect. Brennan on hands and knees.
"D-n met calculated the latter.
his excitement c0nquering restraint.
"whoever they are. jim. they're givin'
oil Mendez hts belly full. Did yer hear
them shots7 There's sure two Of 'em
In thar-one's got a shotgun an the
btl yer
punctured some o. those lads. Lord
They come out like nits."
Westcott's teeth gripped.
I'm going down" he said grimly. ''if
l have to go alone"
Brennan scrambled to his feet
Just second. Jim. an I'm with
yer. Moore. get up yere. Now. what
do yer say? Can We count you in on
this shindigf'
''Sure; didn't just tell you sof''
Brennan wheeled about.
"Give him his gun, Jim, and the
belt" he commanded briefly. II don't
send no man into fracas like this un-
less he's heeled. Leave yer coats here,
an take 1t slow. Both of yer ready7''
Not until his dying day will westcott
ever forget the moment he hung dan
Cling over the edge Of that pit, follow
ing Moore who had disappeared. and
felt gingerly In the darkness for the
narrow rock ledge below.
At best they could only creep. feel
ing a way blindly from crag to crag.
clinglng desperately TO every projec-
ton. never venturing even the slight
est movement until either hand or foot
found solid support. Moore led his
boyish recklessness and knowledge of
the way giving him an advantage.
WestcOff followed kepDIng 40 cIOSa aS