The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-08-31
The Light Of Western Stars

others waited, showing by their Ill
concealed expectancy the nature of
their thoughts.
1t was the demeanor of Stewart and
his comrades that puzzled Madeline.
Apparently they felt no anxiety or even
particular interest. Don Carlos, who
had been covertly watching them, now
made his scrutiny open, even aggres-
sive. The guerrilla leader seemed un-
decided. but not In any sense puzzled.
In her growing excitement Madeline
had not clearly heard Ambrose's low
whispers and she made an effort to
distract some of her attention from
those below to the cowboy crouching
beside her.
The quality, the note Of Ambrose's
whisper had changed. 1t had a slight
sibilant sound.
Don't be mad If sudden-like l clap
my hands over your eyes, Miss Ham,
mond." he was saying. "Somethin's
brewin' below. never seen Gene so
cool. That's a dangerous sign In him.
And look, see how the boys are work
in together Oh, it's slow and acct
dent-like, but l know It's sure not
accident. That foxy Greaser knows,
too. But maybe his men don't. If
they are wise they haven't sense
enough to care. The Don, though
he's worried. It's Nels and Monty he's
xuatohin' hn 10
There, Nick and Frank have settled
down on that log with Body. They
don't seem to be packin' guns But
look how heavy their vests hang. A
gun in each side! Those boys can pull
gun and flop over that log quicker
than you can think. Do you notice
how Nels and Monty and Gene are
square between them guerrillas and
the trail up here? 1t doesn't seem on
purpose, but it is. Look at Nels and
Monty. How quiet they are confabbin'
together, paying no attention to the
guerrillas. l see Monty look at Gene.
then 1 see Nels look at Gene. Well.
it's up to Gene. And they're goin' TO
back him. l reckon, Miss Hammond,
there'd be dead Greasers round that
camp long ago if Nels and Monty
were foot-loose. They're beholdin' to
Gene. That's plain. And, Lord how
it tickles me to watch them! Both
packin' two forty-6ves, butts swingin'
clear There's twenty-four shots in
them four guns. And there's twenty
three guerrillas. If Nels and Monty
ever throw guns at that close range,
why, before you'd know what was up
there'd be a pile of Greasers. There !!
Stewart said something to the Don.
wonder what. I'll gamble it was some
thing to get the Don's outfit all close
together. Sure! Greasers have no
sense. But them white guerrillas
they're lookin' some dubious. What
ever's comm off will come soon, you
can bet. | wish l was down there
But maybe it won't come to scrap.
Stewards set on avoidin' that. He's
a wonderful chap to get his way. Lord,
though, I'd like to see him go after
that overbearin' Greaser! See! the
Don can't stand prosperity. All this
strange behavior Of cowboys is beyond
his pulque-soaked brains. Then he's
Greaser. If Gene doesn't knock him
on the head presently he'll begin to
get over his scare, even of Nels and
Monty. But Gene II pick out the right
time. Never saw Nels in but one
fight, then he just shot a Greaser's
arm off for tryin' to draw on him. But
I've heard all about him. And Monty
Monty's the real old-fashioned gun
man. What l don't understand is how
Monty keeps so quiet and easy and
peaceful-like. That's not his way, with
such an outfit lookin' for trouble.
O-ha Now for the grand bluff. Looks
like no fight at all !"
The guerrilla leader had ceased his
restless steps and glances. and turned
to Stewart with something of bold
resolution in his aspect.
"Gracias, senor," he said. "Adios"
He swept his sombrero in the direc-
ton of the trail leading down the
mountain to the ranch; and as he COM
pleted the gesture a SMILE crafty and
jeering, crossed his swarthy face.
Ambrose whispered so low that
Madeline scarcely heard him. eff the