Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1924-10-17


brought out two horses. In a
twinkling he had Saddled them and the
two riders, each with rifle across his
arm, were hurrying over the mountain
trail
In the blackness which lay along
the upper river Hampton gave his
horse a free rein and let it follow at
TOmmys heels. When, finally, they
drew rein under the cliffs at the lakes
edge all was silent save for the faint
distant booming of the river below
them.
"Now which way?" whispered
Hampton.
Tommy was shaking his head in un-
certainty when suddenly from above
there came to them the sharp report of
a rifle. Then, like bundle of fire.
crackers, volley of half dozen stac-
cato shots.
Listen to that Burkitt,' muttered
Hampton "They're at it nowhere
on time"
Tommy slipped from the saddle
wordlessly, came to HamptOn's side
and tugged gently at his leg, whisper
ing for him to get down. Leaving
their horses there, they slipped into
the utter darkness of the narrow
chasm in the rocks which gave access
to the plateau above.
"Now," cautioned Tommy guardedly,
as they came to the top, keep close to
me if you don't want to take a header
about a thousan' feet. Look |" He
nudged Hampton and pointed There
are two horses across yonder; Buds
an Miss Judy's, most likely"
Hampton did not see them, did not
seek to see them. Something new, vi
tai, big, had swept suddenly into his
life. He was at grips first-hand with
unmasked, pulsing forces. They're at
it now" he whispered to Burkitt.
Men-yes, and a girl-were shooting,
not at just wooden and paper targets,
but at other men! At men who shot
back, and shot to kill.
Listen" said Burkitt. Somebody's
in the old cabin; somebody's outside.
Which is which, We got to be awful
careful"
They began a slow, cautious ap-
proach, slipping from bush to bush,
from tree to tree, standing motionless
now and then to frown into the folds
Of the nights curtains. Abruptly the
firing ceased. They made out vaguely
the two forms of the attackers, having
located them a moment ago by the
squirting flames from their guns. Then,
"Got enough in there?" came the snarl
ing voice of Quinnion. ''If you haven't,
I'm going to burn you out an be ID
to you!"
He got an answer he little expected.
For Hampton, running out into the
open, now that he knew that Bud and
Judith must be in the cabin, was firing
as he came. Burkitt's rifle spoke with
his.
Run for It, Shortly" yelled Quin-
nion. "You know where. We're up
against the Blue Lake boys"
"Bud!" shouted Tommy. "Oh,
Bud!"
I'm the cabin" came Buds ringing
answer. "Give 'em HI, Tommy
Coming!"
the door swapping back against the
wall, the reports Of Tommys rifle and
Hampton's pumping hot lead after two
racing forms.
They'll get awayw shouted Hamp-
ton, a sudden red rage upon him.
Curse 1t 4! It's too dark"
Then Tommy gave over shooting
and yelled to Lee to hold his fire. For
instead of two there were three flying
forms, three fast-racing, blurring,
shadowy shapes merging with the
night. Pollock Hampton, his rifle
dubbed in his hand, was running with
a college sprinter's speed after Quin-
nion and Shorty, calling breathlessly:
Look out, they'll get away"
Hampton, come back" shouted
Lee, running after him.
But Hampton was gaining on the
heavy-set Shorty and had no thought
of coming back. Nor a thought of any
thing in all the wide world just then
but overtaking the flying figure in
front Of him. Shorty stumbled over
fallen log and rose, cursing and call
ing:
Chris Lend a hand"
That little chance Of an uprooted
tree saved Hampton's life that night.
Shorty, falling, had dropped his gun
and hurt his knee. For moment he
groped wildly for the lost rifle, then
ran off without 1t. Hampton cleared
the log and, with yell rather betitting
q victorious savage than the young
man whom Mrs. Langwortby hoped to
call her son, threw his long arms about
Shorty's neck.
"I got him !" shouted Hampton "By
glory"
Shorty drove a big brutal fist smash
ing into his captors face. But Hamp-
ton merely lowered his head hiding 1t
against Shorty's heaving shoulders,
and tightened his grip. Shorty strug-
gled to his feet, shaking at him, tearing
at him, driving one fist after the other