The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-02-17


think some ono had been givln' a
dance here, the way the ground Is
cut up."
They made a wide circle 20 try 90
pick un the trail wanted. and again
sun larger one. Both OF these al.
tempts failed
''rhe sherifrs posse has mined
over tho whole ground so thoroly
We can't be sure. Maybe they left
their horses farther up tho hin and
walked back TO them" Dave han.
arded.
Moo. son. ThiS job was Manned
careful. New the hoidups didn't
know whether they'd have to make
a quick getaway or not. They
would have their horses handy, but
out OF sight"
why not in the dry ditch hack
OF the cottonwcotis7 asked Dave
with flash % ught.
Crawford stared at him, but al
last shook his head II reckon moi.
In the sand and clay there the hoofs
would show too palm
| ~" hNihFup5 knew thr
ditch was going 20 be filled before
the pursuit got startedr-
You mean-~f'
Il mean they might have mr..
ranged 20 have tho water turned
into the lateral 10 wipe out their
tracls.~
"i'il be dawE-d " yen aint on n
warm trail. son. murmured Craw.
ford. And II they knew that. why
wouldn't they ride either up or down
the ditch and leave no tracks
a.tallT-
They would-fcr a way. any.
bow. Up or down. which,
Down. so as 10 reach Maiapi
and set into the Cusher before word
came Of the hold.up." guessed craw.
I ford.
Up. because IN the hills there's
less chance Of being ssen,~ differed
Dave. Crooks Ike them can TN
up an Riioi when they need one
They had to set away unseen. An A
hurry. and to get rid % the gold
soon In case they should be seen g
You're runs tho bell. son. Up
u L. It's an instinct OF an outlaw
to make for the hats where he can
hole ~ when in trouble"
The trallerS scanned closely tho
edxr OF the irrigation ditch. Here.
too. they failed 10 get results. There
were tracks enough close 20 the lat
eraf, but apparently none OF them
led down into tho bed of u. The
outlaws no doubt had CAREFULLY oh
liberated their tracks at this place
IN order 70 give no starting point
for the pursuit.
III 30 M On the iert hand side
you take tho right Dave said
Crawford. ives got 10 find where
thew icf, the ditch
The ditch was climbing into the
hills. xigzagEinE up draws IN order
20 ma Tho most even grade. T'he
three mon Travelled slowly. for Sand.
ers and Crawford had TO read sign
on every foot Of the war.
Chances arr they didn't leave
thu ditch ill they heard The winter
comm" the catticrnan said .-Thsa.
fellows knew their business. and
they were playin' safe"
Dave pulled Up. He wen, down on
his knees and studied the ground.
then jumped down into the ditch
and examined the bank.
Here's where they got out he
announced.
Thomas pressed forward. with
one oufs,retehed hand the young
man held him back.
Just a minute. wan; Mr.. craw.
ford 70 see this before it's touched. :"
| Tho old catucman examined tho
side Of the canal. The clay showed
where a sharp hoof had reached for
a footing. missed. and paved down
the bank Higher up was the faint
mark OF a shoe on the loose rubbie
at the edge.
Looks like he asSentec.
Study OF the ground above showed
tho trail Of two horses striking OF
at a right angie from tho ditch 20.
ward the mouth Of n box canyon
about n mile distant. The horses
were both larger than broncoa. One
Of them was nhod. One ~ the front
HAt'7Hf NattN WIZ was HiNMfI anu
part Of It gone on the left side. Tho
riders were taking no pains appar-
entity 10 hide their course. No doubt
they relied on the fun ditch 10 blot
out pursuit
The trail led thru tho canyon.
over divide beyond. and down into
small grassy valley.
At the summit Crawford gave
strict orders. mo tnikin'. Mr
ThornaS This - serious business
now. Were In enemy country and
have got 10 soft.foot e."
The three men left the footpath
whore u dipped down into tho park
and followed the rim 10 the left.
passing thru a heavy growth Of
nanzanita 70 a bare hill dotted with
scrubby sage. ut the other side Of
which was a small Eulch OF aspcns
struggling down into tho valley.
Back OF these a log cabin sduatted
on the slope. One had TO be almost