The St. Johns herald., 1921-08-25
CHAPTER xV-cOntinued.
A. C. McClurg & Co.

Ees, 0eyend that outcropplng or stone; the trail goes down there?"
 "Sl, senOr: but if you ride down. FOur soldiers they know"
 They keeb guard?"
 ~Sl. senOr; just below, out of sight, yet where they can see. When come out they were under a rock shelf to keep off the snow. Maybe they there get"
 "HOw mangT'
 "Five, seu"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. He returned them to the case, and cast one more glance into the depths below.
 "Very we'll. men," he said quietly, We 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 4ills in readiness for a swift advance. The sergeant led his little force well to the right of where the outpost was believed to be, and finally dismOunt- 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 6hem considerable protection as they cautiously advanced, seeking every possible bit of shelter. Shaunessy, us- ing the field glasses loaned him by the maiOr, 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.
 It had been the plan to drop silent Iy over the edge of the bank, and work their way along, so as to at- tack the outlaws from the rear, thus rendering the escape of any impos- sibie. 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, but his carbine was dung 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, a red, bloated face showed itself up above the edge of the bank. The startled eyes looked directly ln- to the muzzIe of the carbine.
 "Stop right there, buddyI" said the sergeant sternly. "NOw lads, over you gOI"
 They took the leap recklessly, some rolling down the steep slope, others finding some sort of foothold and rush. ing lierceIy forward. The guard was taken by complete surprise, helpless most of them before they could even reach their feet or grasp their wea- pons. ShaDnessy backed his prisoner down to where the others stood sullen- Iy, and surveyed the scene.
 Five; that's the whole bunch" he said with satisfaction. "A very good job. Now, Gates. go 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 down the steep trail. Hays expressed his ap- prOval.
 Exceedingly well done, sergeant; got the whole outfit, I see. Have your men bring up your horses. The girl tells us we have a free road now into the valley. so we will move right along. Quietly, men. and keep your distance. Unsling carbines! Forward :"
 They moved steadily at a walk, the troopers eagerly peering ahead, yet cautiously refining back their mounts. There was scarcely a tinkling of ac- ceutrements as the long column of horsemen slowly advanced down the crooked trail toward the snow-covered valley far below. Pancha, riding be- side the major, led the way through Che curtain to where the Cottonwood plunged over the rock precipice into Che deeper gorge beyond. To her up- lifted hand of warning the column halted, the Mexican girl leaning over to explain the situation ahead.
 ~Eet Is vera steep grade" she said, ~an' sharp turn at the bottom. where