The St. Johns herald., 1921-08-25

He tried to see through the snow squalls, but with little success. "How heavy is the guard?"
 'That I cannot tell, senor. There were but two men there, when I come out. But the log hut is a sal' Jn, and many may be there now. Bet is best to use utmost caution"
 'No one is likely to be between this point and that?"
 "NOt on watch-nO; some one might be passing out; they come and gO."
 "Of course, we run that risk. The falling water makes noise enough to prevent our being heard, yet I think it may be best to use a scouting party. The only way we can trap those fel- lows into A fight is through a surprise. If they become alarmed they'll scatter and find a way out before we can strike blow. Isn't that your idea, captain?"
 ''Yes, sir; we've got to get in be- hind and cut them off"
 q presume there is a back door to this Hole, somewhere, senorita?"
 ''Yes, senor; way down wonder, but eet can only be made on foot"
 'Then we've got the villains. if we only move secretly enough. Take dozen men, and come along with me. captain. Dismount them. SenOrita, it will be best for you to show us the way"
 They disappeared into the curtain of falling snow, and cautiously advanced beneath the veil of overfiowlng water. The outlines of the log house could be plainly discerned, the storm suddenly ceasing. The door stood open, smoke arose from the chimney, but no one was visible outside. The dull glow of an expiring fire appeared on the ground in front, but no guard was squatted about 1t. Evidently the fel- lows had retired to shelter. The ma jor grasped all this in a glance, but what interested him most was the sound of steady firing some distance away.
 "They have either all gone inside" he whispered to Pancha, crouching beside him, tout of the storm. or else they are over there where the fight ing is. You hear those rifles?"
 ''Yes, senor"
 "You don't suppose some other outfit had got in here ahead of us, do yOu?" he asked anxiously.
 "No, senOr," earnestly grasping his arm. "Eet is not that. know; they fight up the canyon. Listen, eet is over there the sound. They try to capture Senor Shelby; if we go quick we save them; we wait, maybe all be dead. Now we get all in the rocks, so none get away"
 'I sec" He looked at her keenly; then stepped back to where the men were clustered. Captain, scatter these lads out about that house there; move quickly, and see that no one gets away. Stiles, run back and have the squadron move forward. Bring up your horses"
 The men dashed forward in a half circle, the major, with Pancha at his shoulder advancing close behind them, his objective the open door. No soon- CT had they broken cover when the alarm sounded; a muffled voice yelled excitedly; a rifle or two cracked; a soldier running rapidly, plunged for ward on his face. and lay still. Then white and red surged crowding through the door, surprised. trapped, crazy to escape. Only one among those leveled carbines. A tall, gaunt white renegade, with red whiSkers, and one arm in a sling, his uninjured hand gripping a revolver, leaped from the front step in a reckless endeavOr to get out of sight around the corner of the cabin. The major flung up his arm and fired, the fellow whirling about in his stride and stumbling as he fell. He got upon one knee again, and the ".45" spat twice viciOusly before a trooper sent a bullet crashing into his brain. Hays felt the zipp of lead past his face, but stood erect, unhurt. Behind him Pancha uttered a startled sob and sank slowly onto the snow. He sprang back and caught her, hold ing her head up on his knee, his eyes staring down into her white, upturned face. She breathed once-that was all; never spoke, never moved, except for the slight tremor of her slender form in his arms. The major laid her softly down, his own face drawn and white with sudden passion, and strode across to where the slain outlaw lay in a huddIed heap. An instant he looked down at the brutal face, obliv- ious to all else.
 "D-n you" he muttered in use
 tgT- T1.