Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-12-15

raiders camping just across the line
Ladd did not say q word Bedding.
with IN oath, slammed down his
cigar.
81 knew It was too good to last. >.
Dick, you and Jam stay here while
Laddy and look around"
Dick returned to the sitting-rOom,
The women were nervous and not
to be deceived. SO Dick merely said
Yaqui had sighted lights off in the
desert, and they probably were
campfres. !3elding did not soon re-
turn, and when he did he was alone,
and, saying ne wanted to consult with
the men, he sent Mrs. Belding and the
girls to their rooms.
"Laddy's gone over to scout around
and try to find out who the O7tfit be-
longs to and how many are in 1t" said
Beldlng. II don't look for an attack
on Forlorn River. I'm afraid its"
Belding hesitated and looked with
grim concern at the cavalryman.
"What" queried ThOrne.
"Pm afraid it's Rojas."
Thorne turned pale but did not lose
his nerve.
81 thought of that at once. But
Rojas will never get his hands on my
wife. If l can't kill him, I'll XIII her!
Belding this IS tough clf you-
this risk we put upon your family.
1 regret"
"Cut that kind of talk" replied Bel
ding, bluntly. "Well, if it is Rojas
he's acting d--n queer for a raider.
That's what worries me. We can't do
anything but wait. With Laddy and
YaQui out there we won't be sur
prised."
The women of the house might have
gotten some sleep that night, but 1t
was certain the men did not get any.
Morning broke cold and gray, the 10Th
of February. Ladd came in hungry
and cold, and said the MeXicans were
not breaking camp He reported a
gOOd-sized force of rebels, and was
tacitun as to his idea of forthcoming
events.
About an hour after sunrise Yaqui
ran in with the information that part
of the rebels were crossing the river.
That can't mean fight yet" de-
clared Belding. But get in the house,
boys, and make ready anyway. I'll
meet him."
"Beldlng, you're an officer Of the
United States. MexiCans are much
impressed by show of authority. I've
seen that often in camp" said Thorne.
"Oh, know the whlte-livered
Greasers better than any of you, don't
mistake me-" replied Belding. He was
pale with rage, but kept command
over himself.
The rangers, with YaQui and
ThOrne, stationed themselves at the
several windows of the sitting room.
Rifles and smaller arms and boxes Of
shells Uttered the tables and window
seats. No small force of besiegers
could overcome a resistance such as
Bedding and his men were capable Of
making.
The hOrsemen halted at the cOrrals
They were orderly and SHOW ID no evil
denCe of hostility. They were, how
ever, fully armed. Belding stalked
out to meet them. Apparently leader
wanted TO parley with him, but Bel
ding would hear nothing. He shook
his head, waved his arms, stamped to
and fro and his loud, angry voice
could be heard clear back at the house.
WhereupOn the detachment Of rebels
retired to the bank Of the river, be-
yond the white post that marked the
boundary line, and there they once
more drew rein. Belding remained by
the cOrralS watching them, evidently
still in threatening mood. Presently
a single rider left the troop and tr0t-
ted his horse back down the road.
When lie reached the corral he was
seen TO halt and pass something to
Bpldin@. Then he galloped away to
iOin his comrades.
BeIding looked at whatever 1t was
he held in his hand, shook his hurly
head, and started swiftly for the
house. He came striding into the
room holding a piece of sOiled paper
Cant read 1t now and don't know
as I want to-" he said, savagely.
Not one Of the men was able tC
,ro,clo+n tho garblp6 ScIIWl