White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1926-01-08
Continued from Last Week.
CHAPTER 10
Smoke and Flames

(COnLlnuoQ ITOu lIdSI w 0chJ
CHAPTER 10
Smoke and Flames
"The trail to Treasure Trove." said
Mary, smiling, as they walked arm
in arm along the trail
"But I've already found my best
treasure" answered Terence looking
at her lovingly. Its you, dear"
"Now, Terence, no time for that
today" said Harry 1--WE have bust
ness to attend to-"
Eyes, you're right, Mary" he
replied. 1--WE must locate this gold.
Once we do, the rest will be smooth
sailing. Your fathers ranch will be
saved and you and You and L"
She squeezed his arm tenderly and
they pressed forward into the forest.
Taggaft and a few of his henchmen
waited on horseback on the Sierra
Diablo Trail At last Buck Mcleod,
battere dand dusty, rode up.
what makes you SO late?" asked
Taggart glaring
Buck told what had happened.
Taggart looked Disguised.
"Then / may as we'll go back" he
said angrily. you fellows stick
around, and If they come here see
what you can do. Report back to
me tonight"
He rode off.
Buck Mcleod and his gang started
prowling through the forest. There
was strong smell of smoke, appar-
emily from some distance, in the air.
They stopped at the sound Of voices,
and peering through the shrubbery
saw Mary and Terence.
Its Them" said Mcleod. Nov
we'll fix EN-"
They dismounted, and broke
Through the brush. One Of the men
seized Mary, and Buck and two 9th
ers went directly for Terence. He
two of them to the ground at the
first onslaught, and sloughing Buck.
met their attack bravely, knocking
the remaining one, nightly. But the
other two men rose and came to
their leaders aid. He was attacked
from behind and in front. Arms chung
to his neck, and graphing his waist.
He could not keep up the unequal
struggle against such odds much
longer.
All the time the smell of smoke
was getting stronger. 1t made them
cough, and brought tears to their
eyes. Then there was a cracking
sound behind them, and clouds Of
heavy smoke broke forth.
"The forests on fire." someone
yelled.
The attackers dropped their bat
tie, stricken with fear and fled for
their horses. AS they broke their
way ahead of the oncoming flames
through the forest, Terence darted to
Mary's side.
The choking smoke was becoming
thicker and unbearable. Exhausted,
as the suffocating fumes overcame
her after all the excitements of the
day, Mary had succumbed, and lay
on the ground in dead swoon.
Mary, Mary!"
Terence picked the girl up in his
arms Behind him the fuames were
beginning to break through, and the
smoke became thicker and thicker
Blinded by the smoke, staggering and
choking, Terence pushed his way for
ward with his dear burden in his
arms
When Taggart returned to the
ranch house he found the plane
and Bud and MIGUEL waiting
for him. While he was in the midst
of giving them details of the. stealing
Of the cattle. and payroll money by
rustlers, Buck Mcleod and his men
rode into the ranch. Buck, seeing
the plane, and recognizing Bud as the
man who had dropped on him to re-
cover Terence's map, hung back out
of sight, and another of the men re-
ported to Taggart.
"O'Rourke and the girl have been
caught in a forest fire"
Bud jumped to his feet, alert
Perhaps l can do something" he
cried. Least I'll do my damnedest."
He rushed toward the plane and
swung the propeller preparatory to
flight.
MIGUEL followed.
wait a minute" Taggart cried.
'One of you ought to notify Marshall.