The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-11-28

knife boys. If they've got Ingram's
men penned up wen probably be in
time" O'Hara said.
"What shall we do with Garcia?"
asked Smith-Beresford.
Better take him along. He can
guide us over the hills and get us
there quicker"
The Mexican rode in front of them.
He was covered by his own rifle in
the hands of Smith Beresford. I'm
erringly he led them through a maze
of hilltops.
"Quantrell must have left the horses
somewhere" O'Hara told his partner
"Juan says they came down from the
rim rock on foot. Likely they left
some one with the mounts. Hadn't
we better swing around that way and
see if he's still there?"
"Not bad idea, Old Top. He could
give us the latest developments. 1t
would be deuced awkward if we met
Ingram's men before we did our own
They skirted the edge Of the park.
Garcia pulled up to listen, lifting a
hand for silence. Some one was rid
ing toward them. They could hear the
hoofs of horses striking rocks.
Riderless horses came over the brow
of a hill. Behind them rode a single
man. The man was Joe, one Of Steel
mans cowboys At sight Of Garcia
and the others he stopped and wheeled
abruptly, driving in spur for flight.
O'Hara called to him by name. Joe
jerked his horse to its hind feet, so
sharply did he check it.
The Circle S O partners Joined him.
Joe made clear the situation.
1.-THE boys are in the stable. One
of 'em is wounded bad, looked like"
HAS there been lot of shooting?'
ith-Beresford asked.
"Quite a lot. Some one rode away
from the ranch hour an a half ago.
Gone for help, I'd say. I'm movin'
the horses. Figured they might come
up to collect 'em soon as they got
around to it."
The partners talked together and
afterward O'Hara gave Joe instruc-
you. Hold him till we see you again.
In about half an hour move the
horses to the south end of the meadow.
to the place where the creek runs out.
We're going to try to follow the
creek through the willows to the
stable. Well take led horse along
for the wounded man. If our plan
works out we'll join you as soon as
we can"
"What if I'm jumped by Ingram or
some one else?"
"Then you'll have to look after your
self. But don't think he can get
here before night"
The partners rode back to the creek,
by way of the park rim. dropping
down to the meadow land over a
pine-clad hill. Smith-BeresfOrd car
ried the rifle, O'Hara led the extra
horse. They moved up the creek,
keeping on the far side from the house
"Getting close to the stable" Smith
Beresford whispered over his Shout
der to his friend. "There's sort of
ford where the horses drink just,
ahead. Think we'd better splash over
and make run for it,"
might as WE'LL" O'Hara agreed.
The horses waded through the little
creek and climbed the slope beyond.
They broke into canter, headed
straight for the stable.
Quantrell let out a yell Of glee as the
two men swung to the ground. made
1t. by cripes, you doggoned old hella-
milers."
O'Hara did not share his enthu-
siasm. He had come to get the raiders
out of trouble if he could, but he did
not intend to condone their offense.
"Who has been hurt?" he asked
Soldly.
"Amen is shot up right bad. I'm
carryin' one pill in my leg as a
souvenir. How did you find out we
was here?"
'Met q Mexican you drove away"
O'Hara walked across to the place
where Owen lay on the hay. Scan he
rider" he asked Texas Jim.
The Lone Star state man scratched
his head. Il dunno. Doubt it. He's
q mighty sick man."
Apparently Owens had been doing.
He opened his eyes. Sure 1 could
ride, if was put on horse" he said.
"Then we'd better get out before
Migrants reinforcements arrive. The
rest of the horses are at the entrance
to the park. If we slip around and
keep the stable between us and the
house we might make it."
Quantrell's eyes cleaned. you're
d-n shoutin', O'Hara. You fellows
go. I'll stay an hold 'em back till you
cross the creek. Then I'll light out
after you"
"That's good medicine" Texas Jim
agreed. "I'll stay with Bob"
The deputy sheriff spoke up.
''There's an old door boarded up this
side. If we break that down we can
slip out an not be seen at ALL"
Five minutes later the door had
been knocked to pieces with an Ak.
O,,on x,oS. liftoI RI tho saddle Of a