, 1923-01-10
DESERT GOLD

leadinS TO the ascent OF the eScarp-
ment. When they achieved the gate
way of the pass the sun was low in
the west. Ladd gave the word to
tie up horses and go forward on foot.
The narrow neck of the pass opened
and descended into a valley half a mile
wide, perhaps twice that in length.
1t had apparently unscalable slopes of
weathered rock leading up to beetling
walls. M
Keep down, boys" said Ladd.
There's the waterhole, an bosses
have sharp yes. Shore the Yaqui
figgered this place. l never seer It's
like for a trap
Both white and Black horses showed
against the green. and n thin curling
column of blue smoke rose lazily from
amid the mosquitoes.
81 reckon we'd better wait TIL dark,
or mebby daylight" said Jim Lash.
Let me f1gger some. Dick. what
do you make of the outlet to this
hole? Looks rough to me-"
With his glass Gale studied the mar
row construction of walls and rough
ened rising floor.
daddy, it's harder to get out at
that end than here" he replied.
ashore that's hard enough. Let me
have a look. Well, boys, 1t don't
take no figgerin' for this job. Jim,
I'll want you at the other end blockin'
the pass when we're ready to start"
"When u that be?' inquired Jim.
"Soon as it's light enough in the
mornin'. Thai Greaser outfit will hang
till tomorrow. There's no sure water
ahead for two days, you remember"
The rangers stole back from the
vantage point and returned to their
horses. which they united and left
farther round among broken sections
of cliff. For the horses 1t was a dry.
hungry camp, but the rangers built a
fire and had their short though
strengthening meal.
Jim Lash rolled In his saddle
went to sleep. Laid told Gale to do
likewise while he kept the fire up and
waited until 1t vas late enough for
Jim to undertake circling round the
raiders. When Gale awakened. Jim
was up saddling his horse, and Ladd
was talking low.
With Ladd leading, they moved
away into the gloom. Advance was
exceedingly slow. careful, silent. Final
ly the trail showed pale in the gloom,
and eastern stars twinkled between
the lofty ramparts of the pass.
Ladd halted and stood silent a mo-
ment. Luck again!' he whispered.
THE winds In your face, Jim. The
horses won't scent you. Try to get up
as high as this at the other end. Wait
till daylight before rlskin' a loose
slope. I'll be ridin' the job early.
That's ALL"
Ladd's cool, easy speech was scarce
ly significant Of the perilous under
taking. Lash moved very slowly
away. leading his horse. Then Ladd
touched Dicks arm, and turned back
up the trail.
Together they picked a way back
through the winding recesses of cliff.
The campfire was smoidering. Laid
~replenished 1t and lay down to get a
few hours sleep, while Gale kept
watch. The after part of the night
wore on till the paling Of stars, the
t%hickening Of gloom indicated the
dark hour before dawn. Ladd awoke
before the faintest gray appeared.
The rangers ate and drank. When the
black did tighten to gray they sad
died the horses and led them out TO
the pass and down to the point where
they had parted with Lash. Here
they awaited daylight.
The valley grew clear of gray
shadow except under leaning walls on
the eastern side. Then a straight col
umn Of smoke rose from among the