The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-11-06
CHAPTER v
Rifle Shots From the Cliffs

Rifle Shots From the Cliffs
Thank heaven it was just noon
Judith sprang to her feet, her eye!
bright and hard, and ran down to the
mems quarters. Coming up from the
corral were Carson and Bud Lee.
Miller with the pay roll money has
been held up and robbed at Squav
/ creek" she told them swiftly. "Get
some men together, Carson, and try
to head the robber Off"
That's on the level, Miss Judith 2
demanded Carson slowly.
"Of course it's on the level!' she
cried impatiently. "Oh, I know what
you're thinking. I'm going to phone
Immediately to the bank at Rocky
Bend and have another man sen out
with more money. You can count
upon getting your pay at six O'clock y
II told you, didn't l." muttered Car
son, that / wasn't worrying none
personal? But if I was you I'd sure
have the money on tap!'
With that he left her, going hastily
to round up what men he could find
and get them into their saddles. Bud
Lee, his eyes still on her, stood where
he was.
"Well," demanded the girl, "aren't
you going. too?" Suddenly angered
by his leisurely air, she added cut
tingly: mot afraid, are you?"
II was thinking" Lee answered
coolly, that the stick-up gent will
most probably figure on a play like
that. If he was real wise he'd mosey
along toward Rocky Bend and pop off
your second man. Two thousand
bucks a day would make a real nice
little draw"
Judith paused, frowning. There
was truth in that. If Trevors really
were behind this, he would have
planned ahead.
IF you'll do my way" continued
Lee thoughtfully, 'T1l have just
enough time to roll a smoke and sad
die little old Climax. He's in the
stable now. You're not afraid of my
embarrassing you? Even if a smart
headed man had planned the hold-up
he wouldn't figure on a play like this.
He'd think we'd have a Rocky Bender
bring it out or else wait until to-
morrow"
1T won't do" she decided quickly.
Il want that money here at six
o'clock"
Eighty miles," unused the horse
foreman. "Six hours. That's riding
right along, but do it my way and I'll
you my own string of horses
and they're worth considerable more
than a thousand-that I'll be back,
leeled, at six"
Judith. quick at decisions, looked
hin hard in the eye, heard his plan,
three minutes later Bud Lee, a
revolver in his shirt, rode away from
he ~ranch-house, headed toward Rocky
Bend. Judith already had called up
Tripp, and the veterinarian himself,
eading the fastest saddle-horse he
get his hands on at brief notice,
vas also riding toward Rocky Bend,
rom the Lower End, five miles in adj
Of Lee at the start. He went
t a gentle trot, consulting his watch
low and then.
So Bud Lee, riding as once those
ard, daredevil riders rode who car
led across the land the mailbag of
he Pony express, overlook Doc Trip
nd changed to a fresh horse at the
Of the first fifteen miles. The
lock at the bank at Rocky Ridge
forty-three minutes after two
S Lee, leaving a sweating horse at
he door on Main street, presented
is check at the paying teller's win
ow. The money, in a small canvas
was ready.
Hello, Bud" and Hello, DAHL"
as the beginning and end Of the con-
which ensued. Lee did not
to count the money. He drew
Is belt up a hole as he went back to
he door, found a fresh horse there
his bit and all but lifting the
.able-boy off his feet, mounted and
BED back along Main street.
Judith was to send another fresh
orse for him so that he could not
Ill to be back at the ranch-house by
x o'clock. AS Bud Lee, riding hard
1T never without thought for the
orse which carried him, began the
trip, he drew the heavy-cal- I
er revolver from his shirt and thrust |
into his belt.
The road wound in and out among
e pines, always climbing. Lee raced
!, his eyes bright and keen, watch
| and suspicious of every still sha- q
wv or stirring branch. From the top 6
the mountain, before he again fol-
wed 4 winding road back to the