Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-03-03


Not on watch-nO; some one might
be passing out; they come and 20"
~Of course, We run that risk. The
falling water makes noise enough 70
prevent our being heard, yet / think IL
may be best TO use a scouting party.
The only way we can trap those fel-
lows into a fight is through u surprise.
II they become alarmed they'll scatter
and find a way out before we can
strike a blow. Isn't that your idea,
captainE"
"Yes. sir; we've got TO get in be-
hind and cut them of"
Il presume there is a back door to
this Hole, somewhere. senOrita?"
Yes. senior; way down yOnder, but
Get can only be made on foot"
Then we've got the villains. If we
only move secretly enough. Take a
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 overfOwing 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 it. Evidently the fell
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, "out of the storm, or else
they are over there where the fight
ing is. You hear those riles?"
'Yes, senior"
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. l know; they |
fight up the canyon. Listen, eet is over |
here the sound. They try to capture
Senior Shelby; if we go quick we save
hem; we wait, maybe all be dead.
Now we get all in the rocks, so none
get away"
Il see." He looked at her keenly;
hen stepped back to where the men
we're clustered. Captain, scatter
hese lads out about that house there;
move quickly, and see that no one gets
way. Stiles, run back and have the
quadron move forward. Bring up
our horses"
The men dashed forward in a half
ircle, the major, with Pancha at his
boulder advancing close behind them,
is objective the open door. No SOON
r had they broken cover when the
larm sounded; muffled voice yelled
a rifle or two cracked; a
older running rapidly, plunged for
ard on his face, and lay still. Then
'hite and red surged crowding
trough the door, surprised, trapped
'azy to escape. Only one among
lem dared the venture in face of
lose leveled carbines. A tall, gaunt
hite renegade, with red whiskers,
i'd one arm in a sling his uninjured
and gripping a revolver, leaped from
lie front step in a reckless endeavor
get out of sight around the corner
the cabin. The major flung up his
IN and fired, the fellow whirling
)out in his stride and stumbling as he
IL. He got upon one knee again, and
e ".45" spat twice viciously before
trooper sent a bullet crashing into
S brain. Hays felt the zipp of lead
lst his face, but stood erect, unhurt. d
ehind him Pamela uttered a startled
b and sank slowly onto the SNOW.
e sprang back and caught her, hold
g her head up on his knee, his eyes "