The Red Cloud chief., 1921-03-17
COMRADES
Of
PERIL
CHAPTER xv--Continued.
By
Randall Parrish
Copyright A. c. MeClurg q Co.

"Yes, beyond that outcropplng OF
stone; the trail goes down there2"
Isl, senior; but If you ride down,
your soldiers, they know"
"They keep guard?"
"Si, senior; Just below. out Of sight.
yet where they can see. When l come
out they were under a rock shelf to
keep Off the snow. Maybe they there
yet"
"IIow manyr
"l'ive, sep"r; 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. lie 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 swift advance.
The sergeant led his little force well
to the right CT where the outpost was
believed to he. and finally dismount-
ed them. leaving two men I'm 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. afrording
them considerable protection as they
cautiously advanced. seeking every
possible bit OF shelter. Shaunessy, us
ing the field glasses loaned him by the
major, surveyed the ground carefully
before venturing to lead the way. and.
I'm this manner, the little party finally
crept In behind the crest Of land over
looking the valley OF the Cottonwood.
It had been the plan to drop silent
~ over the edge Of the bank. and
work their way along, so rs to at
tack the outlaws from the rear, thus
rendering the escape Of any impOs-
slble. 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, hut his carbine was
flung forward, cooked and ready. It
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, red, bloated face showed
itself UP above the edge Of the bank.
The startled eyes looked directly in
to the muzzle Of the carbine.
"Stop right there, buddy" said the
sergeant sternly. "Now lads, over
you gow
They took the leap recklessly. some
rolling down the steep slope, others
finding some sort OF foothold and rush.
Ing liercely forward. The guard was
taken by complete surprise, helpless
most of them before they could even
reach their feet or grasp Their wea
pons. Shaunessy backed his prisoner
down to where the others stood sullen
ly. and surveyed the scene.
give; that's the whole bunch" he
said with satisfaction. "A very good
Job. Now, Gates, so up there and wig
wag the major"
Ten minutes later the advance files
Of the squadron topped the edge of the
bluff and began to slowly move dow
the steep trail. Hays expressed his ap
proval.
Exceedingly well done, sergeant
got the whole outfit, ! see. Have you
men bring up your horses. The cir
tells us we have free road now int
the valley, so we will move right along
Quietly, men, and keep your distance
Unslng carbinesl Forward"
They moved steadily nj walk tn
troopers eagerly peering ahead, ye
cautiously refining back their mounts
There was scarcely tinkling of aC
coutrements rs the long column o
horsemen slowly advanced down tn
crooked trail toward the snow-covere,
valley far below. Pancha. riding be
side the major, led the way througl
plunged over the rock preciplce Int
the deeper gorge beyond. TO her W
lifted hand of warning the column
halted, the Mexican girl leaning owe
TO explain the situation ahead.
"Eet Is vera steep grade" she sait
'an' sharp turn at the bottom, wher
the trail runs under the falls. On tn
other side Is a log house, and they Al
ways keep guard there, senior"
Sand beyOnd?"
"rhe valley is Open"
de tried to see through the mo'
squalls, but with little success.
'How heavy is the guard2"
THAT l cannot tell, senior. Their
were but two men there, when ! CON
out. But the log hut Is a saloon, an
many may be there now. Eet is be-
10 use utmost caution"
enc nna 10 likaly m no hatwaan mi