Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-30
ROBBERS RoosT
by ZANE GREY

mays, WE u TdtIlCT URnLl1, LQdn
owe our lives to one bullet of yours"
added Happy Jack, in a cold contempt
Jim had not thought possible Of the
man.
wal, I'll take you up" rasped Hays,
after moment Of assimilation. He
had degenerated to a point where he
let passion sway him utterly.
"You stay here, Hays" ordered Jim,
hotly. You got us in this mix. You
lied and cheated. You betrayed US. And
you'll fight, by heavenl Unless you're
as much of coward as you are be-
trays-"
The chief grew r1vid where he had
been gray. Only then had he grasped
the significance Of this fiery scorn Of
his comrades.
You all double-crossed mel"
"Shore. Same as you did us. II we
git through this deal, which I've
bunch We never will, thereu come O
reckonin' with me, Hank Hays.
II meant to make clean breast OF
it-divvy all the money" said Hays. in
strangled voice. But I got crazy
about the girl. I couldn't think OF
nothin' else:
"Haw! haw! fer tibet first crack an
okay on the second. Now!"
A bullet thudded into the wall, fol-
lowed by the report of rife.
Duck back! That was from some
where else" shouted Hays.
They dove 20 feet farther back Here
they were apparently safe. except from
the grassy ridge Of the oval in front,
which 1t was unlikely any sharpshooters
could reach in daylight Smoky peeped
around the west corner, Mac around
the one opposite. Hays knelt on one
knee. rifle in hands, peering out. Jim
went back to the apex of the notch and,
bracing one foot in each side, clinging
with one free hand, got up to shelf
from which he could peer out of the
hole. He was exceedinly wary. In
front was thick, low brush; on his right
a thinner fringe and the left was open.
after a careful study Jim crept out
into the brush. stirred by renewal Of
firing from the west rim. WispS OF
white cloud, thinning on the light wind,
located the positions of the shooters.
First Jim peered through the growth of
brush directly in front. He did not
espy any men, but half mile over the
hummocky rocks he saw a little cove
full of horses. The packs had not yet
been removed from some of them, nor
saddles from the others Heeseman had
come to make siege of it.
Jim did not move hastily. A ragged
section of cliff. quite high. above and
to the left of the south exit, gave him
nisgivi-gs. That was likely place for
ambush. Farther to the west, however,
where the shooting came from, there
was some hope of locating an enemy.
Almost at once he caught a move
rent of dark OBJECT through a crevice
in the rim. The distance was great for
accurate shooting at SO small target,
but with rest he drew coarse, steady
aim and fired once.
Thu oh iect GODDad over shrii1 crv
unE1istakable to any man used to gun
play, rent the air. Jim knew he had
reached one of the Heeseman gang, to
disable him if no more. Next instant a
raking fire swept the brush on both
sides Of Jim. He dropped down into
the cave.
Smoky stood there in the act Of
climbing.
They near got u.s." sang out Jim.
II hit one Of them way over where
they shot at Bridges. There's a bunch
Of then hid on that cliff to the right
Of the outlet. you know, where JEFF went
up to scout
Jim, they got us located" replied
Slocum gravely
Sure. But so long as they can't line
on us in here"
They can move all around. An
pretty soon HeeSeman will figger tibet
shoot straight in hyar'
L believe I can see over that high
center
"Whar from?"
This hole above. The side toward
the oval is foot lower. It'd be reason
ably safe"
III go with you"
Bridges lay groaning, his big hands
clutching his clothes, his face a blush
cast. Mac sat helplessly beside him.
Hays knelt cut by the corner of the
wall, with Jack whispering behind him.
"I-1old my rifle. I'll go up" said Jim
Without encumbrance he readily climbed
to the shelf, finding to his satisfaction
that he could stand on it and look out
over the oval without being seen from
the cliff
Hand up both rifles"
Smoky complied and was soon be-
sice Jim. Jim, there's only one place
we couldn't see, an thet's straight back
of the center. If they savvy it, they'll
almost shore try to work in from the
vest
You're right. old-timer." replied
Jim. grimly and pointed to the western
entrance, where two stealthily moving
figures could even then be discerned
slipping, like Indians, from bush to
bush.
Jim, you're a right fine fightin'
pard.' quoth Slocum. delighted. Nov.
amt tibet jest a shame? They won't
have sense enough to run, givin' US
hard shots. They'll sneak it {.
shore. Look at EN-. I could almost
bore one already"
"It's nervy of them, at that" admit
ted Jim. After shot from the top Of
this bank
"They might not know tibet. It takes
good quarter of an hour to grade
round tibet cliff an down. :.
whered they go. limp"
They're below the ridge now. Look
sharp, Smoky, or they might get
couple of shots in first"
wal, if they do, hope both bullets
lodge in Hanks giZzard."
MY sentiments exactly. Smoky,
I saw something shine. Tip of a rifle.
Right-to the right. Ali"
"Take the first teller, Jim. {.
nna-&r,o- fhrae