The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-02-08

ures nalted-turned to nre at Espiu
Gale recognized the foremost one
small, compact, gaudy-Rojas The
bandits arm was outstretched. Puffs
Of white smoke rose, and shots raped
out. When Ladd went down Rojas
threw his gun aside and with wild
yell bounded over the lava. His com
panion followed
A tide Of passion, first hot as fire
then cold as Ice, rushed over Gale
when he saw Rojas take the trail to
ward Mercedes hiding-place. The
little bandit appeared TO have the
sure-footedness of a mountain sheep.
The Mexican following was not so
sure or fast. He turned back. Gale
heard the trenchant bark of the .4O5.
Ladd was kneeling. He shot again
again. The retreating bandit seemed
|, to run full into an invisible obstacle
then fell lax, inert, lifeless. Rojas
sped on unmindful of the spurts of
dust about him. Yaqui, high above
Ladd, was also firing at the bandit.
Then both rifles were emptied. Rojas
turned at high break In the trail.
He shook defiant hand, and his ex-
ulting yell pealed family to Gales
ears. About him there was something
desperate. magnificent. Then he clam
bered down the trail.
Ladd dropped the .4O5, and rising
gun in hand, he staggered toward the
bridge of lava. Before he had crossed
1t Yaqui came bounding down the
slope. and in one splendid leap he
cleared the fissure. He ran beyond
the trail and disappeared on the lava
above. Rojas had not seen this sud
1en, darling move of the Indian.
Gale wondered, fearfully, what had
become Of Lash. Presently, when
Rojas came out of the cracks and
ruts Of lava there might be a chance
Of disabling him by long shot. His
progress was now slow. But he was
making straight for Mercedes hiding
place. What was 1t leading him there
AN eagle eye. or hate, or instinct?
Why did he go on when there could
be no turning back for him on that
trail7 Ladd was slow, heavy, stag
gering on the trail; but he was re-
lentless. Only death could stop the
ranger now. Surely Rojas must have
known that when he chose the trail.
From time to time Gale caught
glimpses of Yaqui's dark figure steal
ing along the higher rim of the crater.
He was making for point above the
bandit.
Ladd staggered along the trail; at
times he crawled. The Yaqui gained !:
he might have had wings; he leaped
| from jagged crust to Jagged crust his
e.
But for Gale the marvel of that
endless period of watching was the
purpose Of the bandit Rojas. He had
now no weapon. Gales glass made
this fact plain. There was death be-
hind him, death below him, death be-
fore him, and though he could not
have known 1t, death above him. He
never faltered-never made misstep
upon the narrow, flinty trail. When he
| reached the lower end of the level
ledge Gales poignant doubt became
certainty. Rojas had seen Mercedes.
1t was incredible, vet Gale believed It.
Then, his heart ciamped as in an icy
wise, Gale threw forward the Reming-
ton, and sinking on one knee, began
to shoot. He emptied the magazine.
Puffs Of dust near Rojas did not even
make him turn.
Gale wheeled, rigid now, steeling
himself to one last forlorn hope-that
Mercedes could defend herself. She
had a gun. He doubted not at all that
she would use 1t. But, remembering
her terror Of this savage, he feared
for her. Rojas reached the level Of
the ledge. He halted. He crouched.
It was the act of a panther. Mani
testify he saw Mercedes within the
cave. Then faint shots patted the air.
broke in quick echo. Roias went
down as II struck by heavy blow.
He was hit. But even as Gale yelled
In sheer madness the bandit leaped
erect. He seemed too quick, too snp
pie to be badly wounded A slight.
dark figure flashed out OF the cave.
Mercedes! She backed against the
wall. Gale saw a puff of white
heard report. But the bandit
lunged at her Mercedes ran. not to
try to pass him. but straight for the
precipice. Her intention was plain.
But Rojns outstripped her. even as
she reached the verge. Then pierre
Ing scream pealed across the crater
q scream Of despair.
Gale closed his eyes. He could not
bear to see more.
Thorne echoed Mercedes scream.
Gale looked round just in time to leap
and catch the cavalryman as he stag
gered. apparently for the steep slope
And then. as Gale dragged him back
both fell. Gale saved his friend but
he plunged into a choya. He drew
his hands away full Of the great glis-
tening cones of thorns.
"For Gods sake, Gale. shooti
Shoot! XIII her! XIII herl
Can't-you-see-R
rho-no fatnfoA