The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1922-11-29

"Yaqui's called out another pard-
ner," said Jim Lash, laconically.
Carhines began to crack. The re-
ports were quick, light, like sharp
spats without any ring. Gale made
out round spots, dark against the
background of red, and in front Of
them leaped out small tongues Of fire.
Ladd's .4O5 began to "spang' with it's
beautiful sound of power. Thorne
was firing, somewhat wildly, Gale
thought. Then Jim Lash pushed his
Winchester over the rim under a
choya, and between shots Gale could
hear him singing: Turn the lady,
turn-turn the lady, turn!
Alaman left! Swing your pardners!
Forward an back! rs
Turn the lady, turn!" Gale got into
the fight himself, not so sure that he
hit any of the round, bobbing objects
he aimed at, but growing sure Of him
self as action liberated something
forced and congested within his
breast.
Then over the position of the rang
ers came hail Of steel bullets. Those
that struck the lava hissed away into
the crater; those that came biting
through the choyas made sound
which resembled sharp ripping of
silk. Bits Of cactus stung Gales face,
and he dreaded the flying thorns more
than he did the flying bullets.
"Hold on, boys" called Ladd, as he
crouched down to reload his rife.
"Save your shells. The Greasers are
spreadin' on us, some goin' down be-
low Yaqui, others movin' up for that
high ridge. When they get up there
I'm id if it won't be hot for us.
There amt room for US to hide here"
Ladd raised himself to peep over
the rim. Shots were now scattering,
and all appeared to come from below.
A volley of shots from different
angle was followed by the quick ring
of steel bullets striking the lava all
around Gale. His first idea, as he
heard the projectiles sing and hum
and whine away into the air. was that
they were coming from above him. He
looked up to see a number of low.
white and dark knobs upon the high
point Of lava. They had not been
there before Then he saw little. pale,
leaping tongues of fire. AS he lodged
down he distinctly heard bullet strike
Ladd.> At the same instant he seemed
to hear Thorne cry out and fall, and
Lash's boots scrape rapidly away.
Ladd fell backward still holding the
.4O5. Gale dragged him into the shell
ter of, his own position, and dreading
to. look at him, took up the heavy
weapon. 1t was with a kin d of. saw
age strength that he gripped the rife;
and it was with cold and deadly in
tent that he aimed and fired. The first
Greaser huddled low, let his carbine
go Gathering down, and then crawled
behind the rim. The second aud third
jerked back. The fourth seemed to
flop up over the crest of lava. A dark
arm reached for him, clutched ihis leg,
tried to drag him up. It was in vain.
Wildly grasping at the airnths. bandit
fell. slid down steep Shelf. rolled
over the rim, to go hurtling down out
of sight. 4
"Shore-rm d-n glad-them Greas-
'ers amt usin' soft-nose bullets"
drawled calm voice. ~ ~
Swift as lightning Gale whirled.
"Laddy! 1 thought you were done
for" cried Gale, with a break in his
voice.
The rangers blouse was open at the
neck, and on his right shoulder under
the collar bone was a small hole just
. beginning to bleed.
"Sure It's high, Laddy," replied Gale,
gladly. ''Went clear through, clean as
whistle!"
He tore handkerchief into two
parts, made wads, and pressing them
close over the wounds he bound them
there with Ladd's scarf.
daddy, I-I'm afraid Thprne's done
for" whispered Gale. "He's lying
over there in that crack. I can see
part Of him. He doesn't move"
II was wonderin' if I'd have to tell
Sou tAoI. blSh, Hc went OuWu udlu
hit, 'fallin', you know, limp an soggy
It was mortal cinch one of us would
get It in this fight; but Cd! I'm
sorry Thorne had to be the man."
s"Laddy, maybe he's not dead" re-
b piled Gale. He called aloud to his
friend. There was no answer.
y" Ladd got up, and. after ;peering
keenly at the height of lava, be strobe
swiftly across the space. 1T was only
dozen steps to- the crack in the lava
where Thorne lad fallen in head first.
Ladd berc over, went to his knees.
so that Gale saw only his head. Then
he appeared rising WIKI Ems round
the ravalryman. He dragged him
across the hole to the sheltered corner
that alone afforded protection. He
had scarcely. reached it when car
bine cracked and a bullet struck the
flinty lava. striking sparks, then sing
Ing into the air. .-s.
Thorne was either dead or uncon-
scious. and Gale, with a contracting
throat and numb heart, decided for