The Pulaskian., 1921-04-21

-16-
 oyes beyond that outcropping of .tone; the trail goes down there9"
 nsi. senor; but if you ride down, sour soldiers, they know"
 .They keep guard?"
 4si. senor just below, out of sight, rct where they can see. When come D,,t they were under q rock shelf to Esen off the snow Maybe they there get"
 How many!
 Tive, sepor; two white and three Sioux"
 He studied the spot carefully sbrough the Ieyeled field glasses. and then swept them inch by inch over sthe snow-covered plain. He returned them to the case, and cast one more glance into the depths below.
 @yery well, men," he said quietly, eve will return to the squadron"
 shaunessy, with ten men, was given the cutting-out job, the major draw inc LID his command behind the sand hills in readiness for a swift advance The sergeant led his little force well to the right of where the outpost was beieYed to be, and finally dismount- al 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 fhe river at this point. and ridges ex- S tended out into the plain, affording # them considerable protection as they 8 cautiously advanced, seeking every A 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, # in this manner, the little party finally crept in behind the crest of land over 2 looking the valley of the Cottonwood. It had been the plan to drop silent g ly 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- sble 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 10 sWiftness Of attack. The sergeant cgept forward inch by inch. watchful of everything in front. He never glanced back, but his carbne 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, a red, bloated face showed itself up above the edge of the bank. The startled eyes looked directly in- to the muzzle of the earbine. Stop right there, buddy!" said the sergeant sternly 'Now lads, over you go!"
 They took the leap recklessly, some rolling down the steep slope, others finding some sort of foothold and rush. ing fercely 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. 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 bis ap- Droyal.
 Exceedingly well done, sergeant; 1; got the whole outfit, I see. Have your men bring up your horses. The girl tells us We have free road now into the valley, so we will move right along. Vuetly men, and keep your distance.
 unsling carbines! Forward !'
 They moved steadily at walk. the troopers eagerly peering ahead, yet cautiously refining back their mounts. mere was scarcely tinkling of ac- eoutrements as the long column of horsemen slowly advanced down the crooked trail toward the snow-covered valley far below. Pancha, riding be- slde the rAajor, led the way through ue curtain to where the Cottonwood plunged over the rock precipice into nle deeper gorge beyond. To her up- nlted hand of warning the column oai'ed, the Mexican girl leaning over explain the situation ahead.
 Eet is verra steep grade" she said,
 all sharp turn at the bottom, where tue tfall runs under the falls. On the suief side is log house, and they al-
 "ass Keep a guard there, senor."
 And beyondY,
 The valley is open.p
 ne tried to see through the snow squalls but with little success.