Cheyenne Wells record., 1922-12-21
CHAPTER 'xxvI

Inc twilight III lrb)lS y Emu Is never
long In duration, due 10 the simple fact
that the mountains cut OFF the flood Of
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 jus, after sunset.
/. They came with rather startling rnp-
ly flied the sky. Young Bill had many
things on his mind as he rode beneath
them, yet he found time to gaze at
them with some curiosity. They were
OF singular greenish hue, and they
hung so low that the tops Of nearby
mountains were 0bscured.
The fact that there would be no
moon tonight was no longer Important.
The clouds would have cut of 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 one little message. "Simon wants
you Mt the house," he said. "and come
heeied."
He would turn to go, but always
singular quiet and breuthlessness re-
manned In the homes after his de-
parture. There would be curious
exchange of glances and certain signlf-
icant sounds. One Of them was the
metallic click of cartridges being
slipped into the magazine of rifle.
Another was the buckling on Of spurs,
and perhaps the rattle Of pistol In
Its holster. Before the night fell In
reality. the clan came riding-strange,
tall figures In the half-darkness-
straight for Simon's house.
His horse was saddled, too, and he
met them In front Of his door. And In
q very few words he made all things
plain TO them.
"We've found Dave" he told them
simply. "AIost Of you already know it.
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
hnrd. Simon spoke very quietly. yet
his voice carried far. In their growing
excitement they did not observe the
reason. that n puzzling. deep calm had
come over the whole wilderness world.
Even In the quietest night there Is U.S.
ually u faint background Of winds In
the mountain realms-7troubled breathS
hat whisper in the thickets and rustic
the dead leaves-but tonight the heavy
air had no breath Of life.
"Tonight Bruce FoIger is going to
pay the price. Just as said." He
spoke rather boastingly; perhaps more
to Impress his followers than from I'm.
pulse. Indeed, the passion that he
felt left no room for his usual ar.
rosance. "Fire on sight. Bill and !
will come from the renr. and we will
be ready t0push through the back door
the minute you break through the
front. Tie rest of you surround the
house on three sides. And remember
90 man IL to touch Linda"
They nodded grimly; then the 6le
Of hOrsemen started toward the ridge.
Far distant they heard a sound such
as had reached them often In summer,
but was unfamiliar In fall. 1t was
the faint rumble OF distant thunder.
Bruce and Linda sat in the front
room of the Folger house, quiet and
watchful and unafruid. It was not
that they did not realize their danger.
They had simply taken all possible
measures of defense: and they were
waiting for what the night would
bring forth.
II know they'll come tonight" Linda
had said. Tomorrow night there will
be a moon, and though 1t won't give
much light, 1t will hurt their chances
of success. Besides-they've found
that their other plOt-tO kill you from
ambush-isn't going to work."
Bruce nodded and got up to examine
the shutters. He wanted no ray Of
:isht to steal out into the growing
a significant fact that the rife did not
occupy its usual place behind the desk
Bruce kept 1t in his hands MS he made
the inspection. Linda had her empty
pistol, knowing that it might-in the
una ayhap of circumstance-be Of aid In
frightening an assailant. Old Elmira
sat beside the fire. he- stifr fingers busy
at piece of sewing.
"You know" Bruce said to her.
A'that we are expecting an attack to-
uight?"
The woman nodded. but didn't miss
q stitch. No glenm Of interest came
into her eyes. Bruce's gaze fell to
her work basket. and something gilt
tered from its depth. Evidently EImira
hnd oregained her knife. ..
He went back to his chair beside
Linda. md the two sat listening. They
had never known Il more quiet night.
They listened In vain for the little
uight sounds that usually come steal-
ing, so hushed and tremulous, from the
forest. And they both started, ever 80
sliphtIy. when they heard distant