The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1924-11-20


tended to slip out quietly. Marcia me
him in the hall; she had heard hi
quick steps and guessed that he wa!
going out. Now clearly, though sht
was frightened, she was delighted will
him. He had never thrilled her like
this before. She had never guessed
That Pollock Hampton could be 81
stern-faced. so purposeful. She wills
pered an entreaty that he be careful
then, as he went out, ran back to the
Others, her eyes shining.
Pollock is going to see what is the
matter" she announced excitedly.
Hampton passed swiftly through the
courtyard. He saw the light of the
bunk-house cleaning brightly. On his
way down the knoll he came upon
Tommy Burkitt.
is it MI. Hampton?" asked Tommy,
coming close in the darkness to peer
at him.
Yes. What is 1t? Who are your
I'm Burkitt. Tommy Burkitt, you
know-Bud Lees helper. IL am
afraid something has happened. Lee
hasn't come in yet. They tried to pick
him off once already, you know"
Neither has Miss Sanford come in,"
said Hampton quickly, sensing here at
last a fear that was fellow to his own.
"They rode toward the Upper End.
You know the way, Burkitt?"
He moved on toward the corral !;
Burkitt turned and came with him.
Sure l know the TRAIL" muttered
Tommy. you're goin' to see what's
wrong with EN-? Miss Judy, tool My
Cd"
Bring out a couple of horses"
Hampton commanded crisply. We've
lost time enough already"
TN go tell Carson an the boys"
81 have already told Carson. He
says it's all nonsense. Leave him
alone"
Tommy, boy that he was, asked no
further questions, but ran ahead and
brought u two horses. In a
twinkling he had saddled them and the
two riders, each with a rifle across his
arm, were hurrying wei the mountain
trail.
In the blackness which lay along
the upper river Hampton gave his
horse a free rein and let it follow at
Tommy's heels. When, finally, they
drew rein under the cliffs at the lakes
edge all was silent save for the faint
distant hnnpoinn Of tho riynr hnInpu
them.
Now which way7" whispered
Hampton.
Tommy was shaking his head in IN
certainty when suddenly from above
there came to them the sharp report of
a rifle. Then, like a bundle of fire.
crackers, a volley Of half a dozen STAG
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 g~uardedly,
as they came to the top, keep close to
me if you don't want to take a header
about a thousan' feet. Lookr' He
judged Hampton and pointed. There
ire two horses across yonder; Buds
an Miss Judy's, most likely"
Hampton did not see them, did not
to see them. Something new, vi
big, had swept suddenly into his
ife. He was at grips first-hand with
lnmasked, pulsing forces. They're at
t nowi" he whispered to Burkitt.
and a girl-were shooting,
lot at just wooden and paper targets,
tut at other men! At men who shot
Jack, and shot to kill.
Listen" said Burkitt. Somebody's
n the old cabin; somebody's outside.
Which is which? We got to be awful
.areful."
They began a slow, cautious APP
slipping from bush to bush,
tree to tree, standing motionless
low and then to frown into the folds
+ the nights curtains. Abruptly the
ring ceased. They made out vaguely
he two forms of the attackers, having
3cated them a moment ago by the
putting flames from their guns. Then,
Got enough in there?" zane the snarl-
lg voice of Quinnion. "If you haven't,
m going to burn you out an be id
you'll"
He got an answer he little expected.
or Hampton, running out into the
pen, now that he knew that Bud and
Judith must be in the cabin, was firing
he came. Burkitt's rifle spoke with
Is.
run for it, Shortly" yelled Quln-
ion. "You know where. We're up
the Blue Lake boys
"Bud!" shouted Tommy. "Oh,
udr I"
in the cabin" came Buds ringing
1swer. "Give 'em HI, Tommy ! :
omingi"
With his words came the sound of