The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1920-12-02

them broken and detached. They got
enough, however, to realize that he de-
handed 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 that?" he asked short
ly. 1.-THE man spoke English. Who
ever's In there doesn't understand
Spanish. Were any Americans down
there when you left, Moore?"
"Joe Skies, ard a 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 Westcott
met Understandings.
aver don't suppose that girl"
"Aye, but | do" and W~estcOtt's
voice proved his conviction. "There's
needed to be done. But she never
could have corraIled Mendez alone"
"Then there must be another along
with her-that fellow yer told me
about likely"
Erred Cavendishl BY Jove, 1t would
be like him. Say, boys. Pm going down
and take a hand In this game"
The marshall gripped him.
"Not yet, jim! 1t amt dark enough.
Wait a bit more an I'm with yer, old
NON Tfpl no hInnI,nr tho-
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 a goin' ter bust in the door,"
and Moore craned his head farther out
owe the edge In eagerness to see. ~
reckon they didn't git no answer that
pleased 'em. See Oh Mendez hoppin'
about Lord! he's mad 'nough to eat
nails. Thar m 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 reverberation 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
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
mufled reports. rang out from the in
terior-one deep and looming, the 9TH
ers sharper, more lcsc,sant-and the
invaders tumbled b, edward into the
open, seeking sheltt.. Westcott was
erect. Brennan on lands and knees.
oh mel" e,o culated the latter.
his excitement cor luering restraint.
whoever they are, lin, they're givin'
OIL Mendez his belly 'ull. Did yer hear
them shots2 There's sure two Of 'em
In thar-one's got a shotgun an the
other a revolver. I'll bet yer they
punctured some o. those lads. Lord
They come out like rats"
Westcott's teeth gripped.
"Tm going down." he said grimly, "if
/ have to go alone"
Brennan scrambled to his feet.
"Just a second, Jim, an I'm with
yer. Moore, get up we're. Now, what
do yer say? Can we count you In on
this shindigf"
"Sure; didn't I Just tell you sol"
Brennan wheeled about.
"Give him his gun, Jim, and the
belt" he commanded briefly. II don't
send no man into a fracas like this un-
less he's heeled. Leave yer coats here,
an take 1t slow. Both of yer ready?'
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,
clinging 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.
Westcott followed, keeping as close al
possible. endeavoring to shape his own
efforts. In accordance with the dimly
outlined form below ;swhile Brennan
short-legged and stout, probably hat
the hardest task Of all in bringing NJ
the rear.
There was nothing but intense black
ness down there-a hideous chasm o.
death clutching at them; the houses
the men, the whole valley was com
pletely swallowed In the night. Twic'
Westcott had to let 60 entirely. trust
ing to q ledge below to stop his fall
once he travelled q yard, or more. dan
Cling on his hands Owe the abyss. hi
fest feeling for the support beyond
-