, 1922-11-01
CHAPTER XVI

light from the west after the setting
Of the sun, but tonight there seemed
none at all. The reason was merely
that heavy banks of clouds swept up
from the southeast just after sunset.
They came with rather startling rap
idity int almost Immediately complete
ly filed the sky. Young BIZ had many
things on his mind as he rode beneath
theEx yet he found time to gaze at
them with some curiosity. They were
.; singular greenish hue, and they
hung so low that the tops of nearby
mountains were obscured.
The fact that there would be no
moon tonight was no longer Important.
The clouds would haze cut off any tell
tale light that might illumine the ac-
~tivities Of the Turner's. There would
not be even the dim mist of starlight.
Young Bill rode from house to house
through the estate-the homes occu-
pied by Simon's brothers and cousins
and their respective families. He
knocked on each door and he only
gave n little message. "Simon wants
you at the house," he said, "and come
heeled."
He would turn to go, but always a
singular quiet and br~eathlessness re-
manned In the homes after his de-
parture. There would be a curious
exchange of glances and certain signif-
icant sounds. One of them vas the
metallic click of cartridges being
slipped Into the magazine of a rife.
Another was the buckling on of spurs,
and perhaps the rattle of a pistol in
Its holster. Before the night fell In
reality. the clan came ridlng-strange,
tall figures in the alf-darkness-
straight for SImon's house.
His horse was saddled, too, and he
met themlln front of his door. And In
a very few words he made all things
plain to them.
We've found Dave" he told them
simply. Most of you already know II.
We've decided there isn't any use Of
waiting any more. We're going to the
Folger house tonight"
The men stood silent. breathing
hard. Simon spoke very quietly, yet
his voice carried far. In their growing
excitement they did not observe the
reason. that u puzzling. deep calm had
come over the whole wilderness world.
Even In the quietest night there is US
unlIy n faint background of winds In
the mountain realms-troubled breaths
that whisper In the thickets and rustic
the dead leaves-but tonight the heavy
air had no breath of life.
Tonight Bruce Folger is going to
pny the price. just as i said" He
spoke rather boastingIy; perhaps more
TO Impress his followers than from i'm
pulse. Indeed, the passion that he
felt left no room for his usual ar
rogance. Sire on sight. Bill and /
will come from the rear. and we will
be ready to push through the back door
the minute you break through the
front. The rest of you surround the
house on three sides. And remember
no man is to touch Linda"
They nodded grimIy; then the file
of horsemen started toward the ridge.
Far distant they heard a sound such
as had reached them often In summer,
but was unfamiliar I'm fall. 1t was
the faint rumble of distant thunder.
prrce .na r,nd, COZ IN tho Front
room Of the Eolrer house ouIet md
watchfn, ana una,.,id 7, wos not
mar thev aid NOT ro.l,ve tba,r danger
They had simnlv tnken all possible
measures of defense and thew yere
waiting for what tho night vould
bring forth.
~ tnow tbevu con.. ,on,oht , 7. ,nda
had said. "sromorrov night there will
be n moon and though n WON'T give
much light n will, bnrt their chances
of success Resides-tbev,v found
thar their other Motto hi, vou FROM