The Lamar register., 1923-01-24


"Soon as It's light enough In the
mOrnin'. That Greascr outfit VIII hang
till tomorrow. There's no sure water
ahead for two days you remember
The rangers stole bncS from the
vantage point and returned TO their
horses which they united and left
farther rOund amonE broken sections
Of clirr. For the horses II was dry,
hungry camp, but the rangers built
nre and had their short though
Strengthening meal.
Jim Lash rolled In his saddle
blanket, his feet near the fire, and
went TO sleep. Ladd told Gale to do
likewise while he kept the fire up and
waited until II was late enough Tor
Jim to undertake circling round the
raiders. When Gale awakened. Jim
was up saddling his horse, and Ladd
WIS talking low.
With Ladd leading. they moved
away into the gloom. Advance was
exceedingly slow. careful, silent. Final
ly the trail showed pale in the gloom.
and eastern stars twinkled between
the lofty ramparts of the pass.
Ladd halted and stood silent q mo-
ment. Luck againl' he whispered.
The winds In your face, Jim. The
horses won't scent you. Try to get up
as high as this at the other end. Wait
till daylight before riskin' . loose
slope. I'll be ridin' the Job early.
That's ALL"
Ladd's cool, easy speech was scarce
ly significant of the perilous under
taking. Lash moved very slowly
away. leading his horse. Then Ladd
touched Dicks arm. and turned back
up the trail.
Together they picked . way back
through the winding recesses Of cliff.
The campfire was smoldsring. Ladd
replsnished It and lay down to get
few hours sleep. while Gale kept
watch. The after part of the night
wore on till the paling Of stars. the
thickening Of gloom Indicated the
dark hour before dawn. Ladd awoke
before the faintest gray appeared.
The rangers ate and drank. When the
black did tighten to gray they sad
died the horses and led them out to
the pass and down to the point where
they had parted with Lash. Here
they awaited daylight.
The valley grew clear of gray
shadow except under leaning walls on
the eastern side. Then q straight col
umn of smoke rose from among the
mesQuites. ManifestIy this was what
Ladd had been awaiting. He took the
a.. .l -.
the lever. Then he lifted q cartridge
belt from the pommel OF his saddle
Every ring held a shell and these
shells were four inches long. He
buckled the belt round him.
Come on. Dick"
Ladd led the way down the slope
until he reached a position that com
handed the rising Of the trail from
a level 1t was the only place q man
or horse could leave the valley for
the pass.
-Ddck. here's your stand. II any
raider rides in range take . crack at
him. Now want the lend of
Tour hoss."
"BlHnco Soli" exclaimed Gale. more
In amaze that Ladd should ask for the
horse than In reluctance to lend him
"wilI you let me have himT' Ladd
repeated. almost curtly.
Certainly, Laddy.'
A smile momentarily chased the
dark, cold gloom that had set upon
the rangers lean face.
"Shore | appreciate IL. Dick. /
kno" how you care for that hoss. |
guess mebbe Charley Ladd has loved
a hoss An one not SO good as Sol
/ was only tryin' your nerve. Dick.
askin' you without tellin my plan.
Sol won't get scratch. you can
gamble on that I'll ride him down
into the valley an pull the Graasers
out into the open. They've got short
ranged carbines. They can't keep out
Of range Of the 4O5. an I'll he takln'
the dust Of their lead. They can't gain
on Sol. nm he'll run them down when
! want. Can you beat it?''
No. It's great, But sup
pose n raider comes out on Blanco
Dtablo?"