The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1923-08-04

RoShAA S"O AVASJ-AVSOt OuSSO SVAAAoASE
clear. There's twenty-four shots In
them four guns. And there's twenty
three guerrillas. II 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. Therel
Stewart said something to the Don.
wonder what. I'll gamble it was some
thing to get the Don's outfit all close
together. Surei Greasers have no
sense. But them white guerrillas,
they're lookin' some dubious. What
ever's comm off will come soon, you
can bet. I wish I was down there.
But maybe it won't come to a scrap.
Stewards set on avoidin' that. Hes
wonderful chap to get his way. Lord,
though, I'd like to see him go after
that overbearin' Greaser! Seel the
Don can't stand prosperity. All this
strange behavior Of cowboys Is beyond
his pulque-soaked brains. Then he's
a 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 I 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 smile, crafty and
jeering, crossed his swarthy face.
Ambrose whispered SO low that
Madeline scarcely heard him. If the
Greaser goes that way he'll find our
horses and get wise to the trick. Oh,
he's wise now! But I'll gamble he
never even starts on that TRAIL"
Neither hurriedly nor guardedly
Stewart rose out Of his leaning posture
and took a couple Of long strides
toward Don Carlos.
"Go back the way you came" he fair
ly yelled; and his voice had the ring
Of bugle.
Ambrose nudged Madeline; his whis-
per was tense and rapid: Don't miss
nothin'. Genes called him. What
evers comm off will be here quick as
lightnin'. See! I guess maybe that
Greaser don't savvy good q. 8. lingo.
Look at that dirty yaller face turn
green. Put one eye on Nels and
Monty! That's great-just to see
'em. Just as quiet and easy. But oh,
the difference! Bent and stiff-that
means every muscle is like a rawhide
RATA. They're watchin' with eyes that
can see the workin's Of them Greasers'
minds. Now there amt a hoss-hair
between them Greasers and HI"
Don Carlos gave Stewart one long
malignant stare; then he threw back his
head, swept up the sombrero, and his
evil smile showed cleaning teeth.
"Senor-" he began.
With magnificent bound Stewart was
upon him. The guerrills's cry was
throttled in his throat. A fierce
wrestling ensued, too swift to see
clearly; then heavy, sodden blows, and
Don Carlos was beaten to the ground.
Stewart leaped back. Then, crouch
ing with his hands on the butts Of
guns at his hips, he yelled, he thun-
dered at the guerrillas. He had been
quicker than a panther, and now his
voice was so terrible that it curdled
Madeline's blood, and the menace of
deadly violence in his crouching posi-
ton made her shut her eyes. But she
had to open them. In that single in
slant Nels and Monty had leaped to
Stewards side. Both were bent down,
with hands on the butts Of guns at
their hips. Nels' piercing yell seemed
to divide Monty's roar Of rage. Then
they ceased, and echoes clapped from
the crags. The silence Of those three
men crouching like tigers about to leap
was more menacing than the nerve
EdCkluS yclIS.
Then the guerrillas wavered and
broke and ran for their horses. Don
Carlos rolled over, rose, and staggered
away, to be helped upon his mount.
He looked back, his pale and bloody
face that Of a thwarted demon. The
whole band got into action and were
gone in moment.
II knew it," declared Ambrose.
''Never seen Greaser who could face
gun-play. That was some warm. And
Monty Price never flashed gun He'll
never get over that. I reckon, Miss
Hammond, we're some lucky to avoid
trouble Gene had his way, as you
seen. Well be maxim tracks for the
ranch in about two shakes"
"Why?' whispered Madeline, breath
lessly. She became conscious that she
was weak and shaken.
Because the guerrillas sure will get
their nerve back, and come sneakin'
on our trail or try to head us off by
ambushin'," replied Ambrose. That's
their way. Otherwise three cowboys
couldn't bluff a whole gang like that.
Gene knows the nature Of Greasers.
| They're white-livered. But I reckon
we're in more danger now than before,
unless We get good start down the
mountain. There! Genes calm.