Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-08-30

} fight, then he just shot a Greaseri
arm of for tryin' to draw on him. Blu
I've heard all about him. And Monty
Monty's the real o~Id-fashioned gun
man. What I don't understand is how
Monty keeps so quiet and easy ant
pe~aceful-like. That's not his way, witt
such an ouflt Iookin' for trouble
E O-hal Now for the grand blur. Look.
Ike no fight at ALL"
E The guerrilla leader had ceased his
restless steps and giances. and turned
10 Stewart with something of bold
resolution in his aspect.
"Gracias. senior" 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 a 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 nowi But Tit 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
iy yelled; and his voice had the ring
Of a bugle.
Ambrose nudged Madeline his whis-
per was tense and rapid: Don't miss
| nnfhInf Eanafu BALLAD him What
ever's comm Off will be here quick as
lightnin'. Seei I guess maybe that
Greaser don't savvy good U. s. lingo.
Look at that dirty yaller face turn
green. Put one eye on Nels and
Monty That's great-just to see
EN-. Just as quiet and easy. But oh,
the differenceI Bent and stlff-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 aln't a hoss-hair
between them Greasers and hill"
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.
ne 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 II 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 feaped 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 ciapped from
the crags. The silence of those three
men %erouehing like tigers about to leap
was more menacing than the nerve
racking yells.
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 a moment
II knew It," declared Ambrose.
"Never seen a Greaser who could face
gun-play. That was some warm. And
Monty Price never flashed a gun He'll
never get over that. / reckon, Miss
Hammond, we're some lucky to avoid
trouble. Gene had his way. as you
ssen. Wen 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 of by
replied Ambrose. That's
their way. Otherwise three cowboys
couldn't bluff a whole gam like that.
hnNno Aht AdtAAI VI tAtaotA1-
They're w~hite-livered. But l reckon
we're In more danger now than before.
we get a good start down the
mountain. Therel Genes calm.
Comet Hurry"
Helen had slipped down from her
vantage point, and therefore had not
seen the last act In that little camp
ire drama. 1t seemed. however, that
desire for excitement was salts
led. for her face was pale and she
rembled when she asked II the guer-
.illas were gone.
Ambrose hurried the three women
,ver the rough rocks, down the cliff.
rhe cowboys below were saddling
,orses In haste. Swiftly, with regard
,nly for life and limb. Madeline. Helen.
md Christine were lowered by lassoes
md half carried down to the level. By
he time they were safely down the
,ther members of the party appeared
the cliff above. They were In ex-
49, u-k-4<~ or,aorfnr - t.ous the | =