Fair play., 1921-03-19
CHAPTER xV-Continued.

Yes, beyond that outcropping OF
stone; the trail goes down there?'
"Si, senior; but If you ride down.
your soldiers, they know"
"T'hey keep guard?'
'Si. 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
yet"
How manyT'
Five, seuur: two white and three
Sioux"
He studied the spot carefully
through the leveled field glasses. and
then swept them inch by inch over
the now-covered plain. He returned
them to the case, and cast one more
glance into the depths below.
Very well, men," he said quietly,
I'VE will return to the squadron"
Shaunessy, with ten men. was given
the cuttlng.out job, the major draw
Ing up 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
believed to be, and finally dismount-
ed them, leaving two men in charge
of the animals, while, with the others,
ne proceeded forward on foot. The
sand hills approached much closer to
the river ut this point and ridges eX-
tended out into the plain. affording
thnfn CiHarn hlA nrntontinp
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.
1t had been the plan to drop silent
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-
slble. 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
flung forward cooked and ready. 1t
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, q red, bloated face showed
itself up above the edge OF the bank.
The startled eyes looked directly in
to the muzzle Of the carbine.
stop right there, buddy" said the
sergeant sternly. Now lads, over
you gol"
They took the leap recklessly, some
rolling down the steep slope, others
finding some sort Of foothOld and rush
ing tiercely 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 sulen-
ly, and surveyed the scene.
Five; that's the whole bunch" he
said with satisfaction. "A very good
Job. Now, Gates, 90 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 APP
proval.
Exceedingly well done. sergeant;
got the whole outfit, 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 peerng ahead, yet
cautiously refining back their mounts
There was scarcely a tinkllng of ac-
CoutrenentI 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
10 explain the situation ahead.
"Eet 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 log house, and they al.
ways keep a guard there, senor"
! And beyondY
THE valley is open"
He tried to see through the snow
squalls, but with little success.
/ How heavy Is the guard?"
THAT | cannot tell, senior There
| were but two men there. when | come
out. But the log hut is saloon, and
many may be there now. Eet is hes