The St. Johns herald., 1921-07-21

lCSC lO COAIC ldAnb h1d0Gnb VI oAAg 5O that Shelby ventured to survey the scene through the narrow crack near the hinges. Matters were becoming so complicated he was at his wits end. He had delayed too long, and, per haps, it had been a mistake to advise the girl to thus appear friendly to this brute. Now, instead of being con. fronted by the Kid a,one, he must also face Laud, if he would prevent her being carried away the second time. The situation had become desperate.
 He could see the girl standing pressed close 10 the wall, the light from the broken window on her face, her eyes anxiously watchful of the movements of Macklin, who had turned and was fronting the outer door, one hand resting in readiness on the butt of his "45." Then that opening was shadowed, and the bulky figure of the squaw-man suddenly appeared. His 1 first utterance w&s full of ill-humor.
 "Well, I got your message, and am here," he said roughly. "What the h-l is up, Macklin"
 Everything is, from all hear," was the short reply. "Your Indians are licked already, ain't they?"
 'Yes; I expected that; I told them how 1t would be-"
 ITO be sure you did, but you never thought every runaway buck would make for this Hole. But they have {; and you know what that means, I reckon. They will be smoked out sooner or later. Do you want to stay, and be smoked out with 'em? Pm for getting out of here now-tonight, Joe. I don't intend being caught in this net; an you are a d-d fool if you don't feel in the same way. There is a chance now to make 1t, but tOmOr- row may be too late. How about your cattle?"
 'I sent them into the Bad Lands" Macklin laughed.
 "That proves what you think about it. All right then; we'll ride out to- gether. Got three horses out thereT
 "Yes, and a pack; that's what the Indian told me to bring. The woman going along?"
 "Sure she is. H-l, we've fixed things all up. We're goin' to get mar ried over at Gerlasche. I'm aimin' ter take you along for best man."
 Laud evidenced his surprise and in- credulity with grunt, and swift glance at the silent girl, shrinking back against the wall.
 What about Pancha?" he asked dryly.
 'That little DevilI Pooh! when she hears about it, I'll be east of the Mis- souri. She's all right for Mex, but this time mean business, Joe. Don't you forget it, I'm playin' for big stakes, an there don't no Pancha stand in my way. Whats the matter with youT"
 "Well, I ain't so sure you're goin' ter git off so scot free" returned Laud slowly. There's a fellow been in here huntin' you; an reckon he must be here yet-leastways don't know how the cuss could have got out"
 "A man huntin' me? You're dream in'."
 "No I ain't. The fellow joined my outfit up on the mesa yesterday gorter big fellow with light hair, an a smooth face. He put up quite a spiel, and claimed his name was Churchill. I didn't morn half believe him. but not knowin' what was up, let the cuss drift in along with us. I aimed to see you as soon as we got in; but h-l, you had skipped, while Hanley, who might have knowed something, was up at the cove. sent Juan after him, for by that time was sure the guy was some d-n spy. The hoss he was ridin' had the same brand of them cattle I drove in."
 'aThe same brand? What brandY'
 "The Three Stars; they come from Shelby's ranch up on the Cottonwood" 1"
 "H-lI A big fellow, you said with light hair, and smooth faceT
 That's him; grayish eyes, an rides like a cavalryman. never saw the galoot before, but I want goin' to take no chances, so got his gun. and locked him up."
 "Where?'
 'Tn that cell room in vIllemonte's cabin"
 "And he's there yeti"
 "No, he ain't; that's the trouble. Somehow he got hold of knife; must have it hid on him, I reckon. Enyhow he cut them bars at the window. an Tiggled through"