Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-03-03
COMRADES
of
PERIL
CHAPTER xV-continued.
BY
Randall Parrish
copyright a. c. Mcclurg & Co.

IL
"Yes. beyond that outcropping o.
stone; the trail goes down there?"
"Si, senior; but if you ride down
your soldiers, they know"
''They keep guard?"
Isl, senior; just below, out of sight
yet where they can see. When 1 come
out they were under a rock shelf to
keep off the snow. Maybe they there
yet"
How many?"
''Five, scuur; two white and three
Sioux"
He studied the spot carefully
through the leveled field glasses, and
then swept them inch by inch over
the snow-cOvered plain. He returned
them to the case, and cast one more
glance into the depths below.
Every well, men," he said quietly,
eve will return to the squadron"
Shaunessy, with ten men, was given
the cutting-Out job, the major draw
ing up his command behind the sand
hills in readiness for a swift advance.
The sergeant led his little force we'll
to the right of where the outpost was
believed to be, and finally dismount-
ed them, leaving two men in charge
of the animals, while with the others,
he proceeded forward on foot The
sand hills approached much closer to
the river at this point, and ridges ex-
tended out into the plain, affording
them considerable protection as they
cautiously advanced, seeking every
possible bit of shelter. Shaunessy, u.s.
ing the field glasses loaned him by the
major surveyed the ground carefully
before venturing to lead the way, and,
in this manner, the little party finally
crept in behind the crest of land over
looking the valley of the Cottonwood.
1t had been the plan to drop silent
ly over the edge of the bank, and
work their way along, so as to at
tack the outlaws from the rear, thus
the escape of any impos-
sible. But once there on the ground
the slope was found to be far too
abrupt for this purpose, and the idea
had to be abandoned. The only other
procedure was to creep along under
the protection of the ridge, trusting
TO swiftneSs Of attack. The sergeant |
crept forward, inch by inch, watchful
Of everything in front. He never
glanced back, but his carbine was |
flung forward, cooked and ready. 1t |
was fifty yards to where the gnarled |
cedar protruded above the bank, but |
no sign of any movement greeted him
until he had nearly reached that point.
Then, suddenly, with no warning of |
any kind, q red, bloated face showed
tself up above the edge of the bank.
The startled eyes looked directly in
@ the muzzla OF the carbine.
"Stop right there, buddy" said the
sergeant sternly. Now lads, over
iou go!"
They took the leap recklessly, some
olling down the steep slope, others
hiding some sort of foothold and rush
ng fiercely forward. The guard was
aiken by complete surprise helpless
most of them before They've even
each their feet or grasp their wea-
IONS! Shaunessy backed his prisoner
Town to where the others stood sullen-
Y, and surveyed the scene.
give; that's the whole bunch" he
aid with satisfaction. "a very good
OBJ. Now, Gates, go up there and wig
rag the major"
Ten minutes later the advance files
f the squadron topped the edge of the
luff and began to slowly move down
he steep trail. Hays expressed his APP
roval.
Exceedingly well done, sergeant;
OF the whole outfit, see. Have your
len bring up your horses. The girl
,lls us we have a free road now into
ne valley, so we will move right along.
uietly, men, and keep your distance.
nslng carblnes Forward"
They moved steadily at walk, the
'oopers eagerly peering ahead, yet
,utiously refining back their mounts.
here was scarcely a tinkling of ac-
,utrements as the long column Of
Drsemen slowly advanced down the
cooked trail toward the snow-covered
llley far below. Pancha, riding be-
de the major, led the way through
e curtain to where the Cottonwood
unged over the rock precipice into
q deeper gorge beyond. To her up s
ted hand of warning the column f
.lted, the Mexican girl leaning over a
explain the situation ahead. f
"Eet is vera steep grade" she said, e
m sharp turn at the bottom where s.
e trail runs under the falls. On the "
her side is log house, and they al a
lys keep guard there, senior" Ii
"And beyond?" lC
"The valley is Open" lC
He tried to see through the snow
ualls, but with little success. lie
How heavy Is the guardH"
THAT l cannot tell, senior. There OF
re but two men there, when come
t. But the log hut is q saloon, and h,
my may be there now. Eet is best ST