Licking Valley courier., 1921-06-02

clently to partially screen them from
observation. The steady fall of snow
had ceased, although there were oc-
casional furries. driving sharply into
their faces. Overhead the clouds hung
low and gray. Hays swore under his
breath, half convinced he, was be-
ing made q fool of. Twice he started
to speak, but held his tongue. The
girl never turned her head, but moved
straight forward.
She came to a slight ridge. and
stopped suddenly, pointing.
"'Tis there, senor.":she said simply,
evolves hole."'-'* Z
The astounded officer stood motion.
less, his mouth open, his eyes star.
ing at the sight SO Unexpectedly re-
vealed. For an instant he could NOT
believe what he saw. Almost under
his feet the preclpice fell away into
that tremendous gorge, the mantle Of
snow emphasizing It's depth, but bring
Ing out the black rocks In stern con-
trast. -.
"Good Godw he exclaimed, "what
gulf And not sign to make you
dream Of Its existence. I'd have sworn
ten feet back this plain was dead
level for thirty miles. But how In
heavens name do we ever get down
therep
There is something going on, sir,
up yonder In that canon" spoke up
the lieutenant eagerly. "Listen. Those
are rifles popping, and can see white
puffs "of smoke through the glass.
There's fight going on down there"
"D-d If you amt right, Boyd;
they are certainly popping away rather
lively. Cornered Shelby likely, and,
as remember the lad, he'll stay with
them as long as he has cartridge
left. BY lingo we've got to get down,
and clear this nest out. Where's the
trail, senorita"
"over yonder to the left. senor.. You
take your glass, so. Now straight
along the bank, where that cedar tree
tops the edge. 1t stands all alone.
You see what I mean"
"Yes beyond that outcropping of
stone;fthe trail goes down there?"
Isl, senior; but II you ride down,
your soldiers, they KNOW"
"They keep guardr
Isl, Senor; just below, out of sight,
yet where they can see. When come
out they were under rock shelf to
keep on the snow. Maybe they there
yet"
"How manyT
"Five, seuur; 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.
"very well, men," he said quietly,
I'VE will return to the squadron"
Shaunessy, with ten men, was given
the cuttlng-out job, the major draw
Ing up his command behind the sand
hills In readiness for q swift advance.
The sergeant led his little force well
to the right of where the outpost was
believed to be, and finally dlsmount-
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,
II mad been the plan to drop silent
ly over the edge Of the hank, and
work THEIR way along, so as to at
tack the outlaws from the rear, thus
rendering the escape Of any lmpos-
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
10 swfftness Of attack. The sergeant
crept forward, inch by inch, watchful
Of everything In front. He never
glanced back, but his carblne was
flung forward, cooked and ready. II
was fifty yards to where the gnarled
cedar 'brotruded 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, red, bloated face showed
itself up above the edge Of the bank
The startled eyes looked directly in
10 the muzzle Of the carblne.
Z -Stop right there, buddy" said the
sergeant sternly. "Now lads, over
you gol"
They took the leap recklessly, som'
rolling down the steep slope, Others
finding some sort Of foothold and rush
ing flercely forward. The>guard wal
taken by complete surprise, helpless
most Of them before they could ever
reach their feet or grasp their wea
pons. shaunessy hacked his prIsone
downto where the others stood sulen
ly. aud surveyed the scene.