Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-03-15

turned 10 look DacK from the far bank
Of FOrlorn river, he saw Nell waving
a white scarf. He stood high in his
stirrups and waved his sombrero
Then the mesquite hid the girls slight
figure, and Gale wheeled grim-faced
to follow the rangers.
They rode in single file with Laid
in the lead. He took a Decline course
for the white escarpment pointed out
by the Yaqui; and nothing save deep
washes and impossible patches of
cactus or rocks mada him swerye
from it.
AT noon the rangers got out of the
thick cactus. The desert floor inclined
perceptibly upward When Gale got
an unobstructed view of the slope of
the escarpment he located the raiders
and horses. In another, hours travel
the rangers could see with naked ewes
long, faint moving streak of black
and-white dots.
They're headin for that yellow
pass" said Laid, pointing to a break
in the eastern end of the escarpment
when they get out Of sight wen
rustic. I'm thinkin' that waterhole
the Yaqui spoke of lays in the pass
The rangers Travelled swiftly over
the remaining miles of level desert
leading to- the ascent of the escarp-
ment. When they achieved the gate
way OF the pass the sun was low in
the west. Laid gave the word to
tie up horses and go forward on foot
Inc narrow neck Of the pass opened
ana descended into valley half mile
VIDE, perhaps twice that in length
lt mad apparently unscalable slopes of
weathered rock leading up to beetling
walls.
Keep down, boys" said Laid.
There's the waterhole, an bosses
have sharp eyes. Shore the Yaqui
fingered this place. never seen its
like for a trap"
Both white and black horses showed
against the green, and a thin curling
COLUMN of blue smoke rose lazily from
amid the mosquitoes.
L reckon ED better wait till dark.
or mebby daylight" said Jim Lash.
Let me fgger 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
lady, it's harder to get out at
that end than here" he replied.
Shore that's hard enough. Let me
have a look. Well, boys, it don't
take no fggerin' for this job. Jim,
I'll want you at the other end blockin'
the pass when we're ready to start"
when II that be?' inquired Jim.
soon as it's light enough in the
mornin'. That 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 it was a dry,
hungry camp, but the rangers built
fire and had their shot though
strengthening meal.
Jim Lash rolled In his saddle
blanket, his feet near the fire, and
went to sleep. Laid told Gale to do
likewise while he kept the fire up and
waited until it was late enough for
Jim to undertake circling round the
raiders. When Gale awakened, Jim.
was up saddling his horse, and Laid
was talking low.
With Laid leading, they moved
away into the gloom. Advance was
exceedingly slow, careful, silent. Final
II the trail showed pale in the gloom,
and eastern stars twinl1led between
the lofty ramparts Of the pass.
Laid halted and stood silent a mo-
ment. Luck again I" he whispered.
"The winds in your face, Jim. The
horses won't scent you. Try to get Elp
as high as this at the other end. Wait
till daylight before riskin' a loose
slope. I'll be ridin' the job early.
That's ALL
Ladds cool, easy speech was scarce
ly significant of the perilous under
taking. Lash moved very slowly
away, leading his horse. Then Laid
touched Dicks arm, and turned back
up the trail
Together they picked way back
through the winding recesses of cliff.
The campfire was smoldering. Laid
replenished it and lay down to get a
few hours sleep, while Gale kept