The Holbrook news., 1921-08-05
-op. ..snt A. .. McClurg < Co.
CHAPTER xv-cOntinued.


 stone; the trail goes down thereT
 "Si, senor; but if you ride down your soldiers, they know"
 ''They keep guard?''
 "Si. senOr; 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"
 How many?"
 Tive selur; 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 well, 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 hills in readiness for swift advance. The sergeant led his little force well to the right of where the outpost was
  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 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, 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 fly 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- isible 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 lthe protection of the ridge, trusting Ito swiftness of attack. The sergeant icrept forward, inch by inch, watchful lof everything in front. He never glanced back, but 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 ln- to the muzzle of the carbine.
 Stop right there. buddyl" said the setgeaist lsterniy. "NOw lads, over iy6ua 70 E'
 They took the leap recklessly, some rolling down the steep slope, others finding some sort of foOthOld and rush. ing fiercely 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- fly, 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 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- cOutrements 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 the curtain to where the Cottonwood plunged over the rock precipice into the deeper gorge beyond. To her up lifted hand of warning the column halted. the Mexican girl leaning over to explain the situation ahead.
 'sEet is verra steep grade" she said. "an' a sharp turn at the bottom, where the trail runs under the falls. On the other side is a log house. and they al- ways keep a guard there, senor"
 And beyond?" "The valley is open"
 He tried to see through the snow squalls, but with little success.
 ''HOw heavy is the guard?'
 "That I cannot tell, senor There were but two men there, when come out. But the log hut is saloon. and many may be there now. Eet is best to use utmost caution"
 ''NO one Is likely to be between this point and thatr
 'NOt on watch-no; some one might be passing out; they come and go."
 "Of course, we run that risk. The falling water makes noise enough to prevent our being heard, yet I think it imay be best to use a scouting party. The only way we can trap those fel- hOws into a fight Is through a surprise. | If they become alarmed they'll scatter and find a way out before we can EI0xu fhok uo,rr F1ao