Fair play., 1921-03-19

"Not on watch--no; some one might
be passing out; they come and CO."
"Of course, we run that risk. The
falling water makes noise enough to
prevent our being heard, yet I think II
may be best to use a scouting party.
The only way we can trap those fell
lows into fight Is through a surprise.
IL they become alarmed they'll scatter
and find way out before we can
strike a blow. Isn't that your idea,
captainT
"Yes. sir; we've got to get In be-
hind and cut them Off"
IL presume there Is back door to
this Hole, somewhere. senorita?"
"Yes, senior; way down yonder, but
Get can only he 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, II
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 overlooking 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, crouchng
beside him, "out of the storm, or else
they are over there where the fight
ing is You hear those rifles"
"Yes. senior"
"Iou don't suppose some other outfit
had got in here ahead of us, do you?"
he asked anxiously.
mo, 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"
Il see" 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 half
circle, the major, with Pancha at his
shoulder advancing close behind them.
his objective the open door. No soon
er had they broken cover when the
alarm sounded; a mutfled voice yelled
excitedly; a rife 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
them dared the venture In face of
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 bullet crashing into
his brain. Hays felt the zipp Of lead
past his face, but stood erect, unhurt.
Behind him Pancha uttered startled
sob and sank slowly onto the snow
He sprang back and caught her, hold
ing her head up on his knee his eyes