Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-04-19
CHAPTER xlI.-continued.
Copyright by Harper & Brothers.
ID

ID
More shots rang out. Yaqui was
seen standing erect firing rapidly at
the darting Mexicans. For all Gale
could make out no second bullet took
effect Rojas and his men vanished
behind the bulge of lava. The Yaqul
deliberately backed away from his po-
sition. He mace no effort to run or
hide. Presently he tdrned and came
straight toward the position of the
rangers, sheered off perhaps hum
1red PAGES below it, and disappeared
in a crevice. Plainly his intention
was to.draw pursuers within rifle shot.
Another wait set in then, and judg-
Ing by the more direct rays OF the
sun and a receding of the little shad-
sows cast by the choyas, Gale was of
the opinion that it was long wait.
But it seemed short. Gale had the
upper position, farthest to the right,
and 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 a crack. The positions of Thorne
and Ladd were most exposed. They
kept sharp lookout over the unel IN
rampant of their hiding-place.
Suddenly the dead stiffness was
rent by a shot, clear and singing
close at hand. It was from rife,
not a carbine. With startling quick
ness a cry followed 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," said Jim Lash, laconically.
Carbines began to crack. Tho 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 Ieaped out small tongues of fire.
Ladd'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
choya, and between shots Gale could
hear him singing: "Turn the lady,
turn-turn the lady, turn! :.
Alaman 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
he aimed at, but growing sure of him
self as action liberated something
forced and congested within his
breast.
Then over the position of the rang
ers came a hail 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 a sharp ripping Of
silk 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
spreadin' or us, some goin' down be-
low Yaqui, others movin' up for that
high ridge When they get up there
Tn id If 1t won't be hot for u.s.
There amt room for US to hide here"
Laid raised himself to peep over
the rim. Shots were now scattering,
and all appeared to come from below
A volley of shots from a different
angle was followed by the quick ring
OF steel bullets. striking the lava all
around Gale. His first idea, as he
heard the projectiles sing and hum
and whine away into the air, was chat
they were coming from above him. He
looked up 10 see a number Of low,
white and dark knobs upon the high
point of lava. They had not been
there before. Then he saw title, pale,
qeaping tongues of fire. AS he lodged
down he distinctly heard bullet strike
Ladd At the same instant he seemed
to hear Thorne cry out and fall, and
Lash's boots scrape rapidly away.
Ladd fell backward still holding the
.4O5. Gale dragged him into the shell
ter of his own position, and dreading
to look at him, took up the heavy
weapon. It was with a kind of saw
age strength that he gripped the rifle;
and If was with cold and deadly in
tent that he aimed and fired The first
Greaser huddled low, let his carbine
90 Gathering down, and then crawled
behind the rim. The second and third
ierked back. The fourth seemed to
flop up over the crest of lava. A dark
arm reached for him, clutched his leg,
tried to drag him up. 1t was in vain.
Wildly grasping at the air the bandit
fell, slid down steep shelf, rolled
over the rim, TO go hurting down out
of sight.
"Shore-Pm d-n glad-them Greas.
ers amt usin' soft-nose bullets, ;"
ylrawled a calm voice.
Swift as lightning Gale whirled.
daddy! I thought you were done
for" cried Gale, with break in his
voice.
The rangers blouse was open at the
neck, and on his right shoulder under
the collar bone was a small hole just
beginning to bleed
"Sure it's high, Lady, replied Gale,
gladly. 'Went clear through, clean as
a whistler
He tore a handkerchief into two
parts, made wads, and pressing them
close over the wounds he bound them
there with Ladd's scarf.
lady, Pm afraid Thorne's done
for" whispered Gale ''He's lying