Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1923-03-09
ScHAPTER xlI.-continued.
by Harper & Brothers.

~ standing erect firing rapidly at
9dartlng Mexicans. For all Gale
ed8n make out no second bullet took
6AxeA Rojas and his men vanished
k1hlDd the bulge Of lava. The Yaqui
berately backed away from his po-
f&)9n He made no effort to run or
Sp. Presently he turned and came
tffnight toward the position Of the
eangers, sheered off perhaps a hun
Ord PAGES below 1t, and disappeared
r. crevice. Plainly his intention
waB to draw pursuers within rifle shot.
Another wait set in then, and judg-
ing by the more direct rays Of the
sun and receding of the little shad-
ows cast by the choyas, Gale was Of
the opinion that it was a long wait.
But II seemed short. Gale had the
upper position, farthest to the right
end therefore was best shielded from
possible fire from the higher ridges
Of the rim some three hundred yards
distant Jim came next, well hidden
In q crack. The positions of Thorne
and Ladd were most exposed. They
Kept sharp lookout over the uneven
rampant of their hidng-place.
Suddenly the dead stiffness was
rent by a shot, clear and singing.
close at hand. 1t was from a rifle.
mol carbiue. With startling quick
Oess cry followed-a cry that
pierced Gale-it was so thin, so high
keyed, so different from all other
cries. 1t was the involuntary human
shrek of death.
"Yaqui's called out another pard-
ner.r said Jim Lash. laconically.
Carbines began 10 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.
Isadd's .405 began to "spang" with Its
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
4eSr him singing: Turn the lady,
ttFn-turn the lady. turni
AiAman left Swing your pardners
- Forward an back
Turn the lady, turnl" Gale got into
the fight himself. not so sure that he
hit any of the round, bobbing objects
Ae aimed at. but growing sure of him
telf as action liberated something
forced and congested within his
breast.
Then over the position of the rang
ers came a hall Of steel bullets. Those
that struck the lava Kissed away into
the crater; those that came biting
through the choyas made a sound
which resembled sharp ripping of
Ailk. 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 rifle |
~Save your shells. The Greasers are |
1preadin on US. some goIn' down be-
Tow Yaqul. others movih' up for that |
high ridge When they get up there |
I'm id II II won't be hot for u.s. |
There amt room for US to hide here" |
IAdd raised himself to peep over |
the rim. Shots were now scattering, |
end all appeared to come from below.
4 voIIey of shots from a different
angle was followed by the quick ring
~ steel bullets striking the lava all |
aFnnnd Gale. His first idea. as he
heard the projectiles sing and hum
and whine away into the air. was that |
4Aey were coming from above him. He
licked up to see number of low.
Waite and dark knobs upon the high
p0tnt Of lava. They had not been
&hnrn hoforo bo fksr !
teAping tongues of fire. AS he lodged
down he distinctly heard bullet strike
Gadd. At the same instant he seemed
70 hear Thorne cry out and fall, and
Lashs boots scrape rapidly away.
Ladd fell backward still holding the
.405. Gale dragged him into the shell
IN of his own position. and dreading
~ look at him. took up the heavy
sea pom. II was with a kind Of saw
&c strength that he gripped the rifle
I'D II was with a cold and deadly In
4qnt that he aimed and fired. The first
Ppaser huddled low. LET his carbIne
~ clntterIng down. and then crs wled
01eind the rim. The second and third
lrgked hack. The fourth seemed 10
~ up over the crest CT lava. A dark
opsn reached for him, ciufched his leg.
1y1ed 10 drag him up. II was In ynIn
Viidly grasbins ~ the air the bandit
~ slid down > steep shelf. rolled
1eer the rim, 20 go hurting down our
~ sight.
shose-i'm d-rD giad-fhem Greas.
- eigf uslD' son.noss bullets
rsAFle1 calm voice.
wi - lightning Gals whided
y addy thought 800 aere done I
e"fF cried Gale, Hl'h hgsah 10 bis
selef
= ~ fnnFerf blouse aas 0nen a. ihp
A''h epd 400 bic elshl shoulder uedef \
~ f1llpf po0f vas Small hole iusl 4
4.nl0uluu BIZ. lI...I w 4