White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1932-09-29
CHAPTER X1I1-Continued


-16-
AS Mccain reached the boulder field
there came to him the faint far-away
explosion Of a gun. Another almost
merged in the first, and few seconds
later came third sound like the pop
ping of distant hrecracker.
That was all. Carried on the eve
ming breeze to one not keyed by appre-
hension, they might have seemed
friendly greetings Of the night. But
to Wilson there was something in those
sounds that shook his soul. They
seemed to him sinister signals Of trag-
edy. For he did not doubt that Phil
had been challenged while escaping
and that in the flash Of guns which in
stantly followed somebody had been
hurt.
He listened, nerves taut, heart
drenched with dread, but no other
shots came to break the Stiffness The
boy had either broken through or they
had got him. Which?
He had intended to lie hidden in
the boulder field till he was discovered,
and make there a stand against the
rustlers. But he found it impossible
to wait there quietly while In doubt
about Phils fate. Julia had put her
brother In his care. Perhaps the
youngster lay wounded somewhere on
the trail. He must find out.
Only few stars were yet out. In
the darkness he strobe across the park
through the grass, headed for the pine
hill where he had left Phil and the
horses. He wanted to make sure that
Phil had at least started for home.
In the hollow back of the pine-clad
his own mount Jim-Dandy. The latter
was saddled and tied by slip knot
to young tree.
He swung to his seat and rode down
the hill. The entrance to the gulch
was perhaps hundred and fifty yards
from the house. He was still some
distance from 1t when rider emerged,
galloping hard, and made straight for
the cabin.
Wilson pulled up. The man had
come from the canyon bringing news
with him. What was the important
message that drove him so fast to his
confederates? He would very much
like to know. 1t might greatly SIM
plify the problem before him.
II reckon We'll not go right now,
jim Dandy-not till I've had look
at the cabin, anyhow. There's just
chance they've got Phil there"
He left the cowpony in a draw and
moved with long even stride toward
the house. His rifle he left beside the
horse. It would only hamper him at
close quarters. If it came to gun
play his As would be better.
No dog came barking to sound warn
ing Of his approach. He came by the
rear, to a curtained window Of a
lighted room.
Inside were four men-Gitner, Jas
per Stark, Mark Dunwig, and Kelly
Brown. All were on their feet, intent,
and one at least frightened. From the
edge Of the curtain Wilson could see
two-thirds Of the room. To sweep with
his gaze the rest of it he had to move
to the other side Of the window.
Brown stood just inside the door
way telling story.
"An' when he wouldn't stop let him
have It," He made his narrative
dramatic by an instructive crouched
gesture Of throwing a gun on some
one. ''He blazed away at me as he
went by. Before he turned the bend
in the trail fired again"
"Hit him." demanded Gitner with
an oath.
Don't know. He sure kept trav.
elm. ! followed III ways, then lit
out up here to tell you boys"
know him?" asked Dunwig.
Brown pointed to Stark. Ills kid
brother"
.Jasper's high voice betrayed his fear.
"They've got US trapped" he whined.
II told you didn't want to throw in
with you in this rotten game, Carl.
BY Cd, we've got rope round our
necks right now"
The Texan looked at him scornfully,
his legs wide apart, cruel eyes mar
rowed. You're one HI Of a pardner,
Jas. No CUTS"
Dunwig spoke his light blue eyes
taking in Jasper with swift furtive ap.
praisal. He was convinced that Stark
would betray them to save his own
hide If the chance came. Don't look
to me like we're trapped. Not by
jugful. What's yore brother breakin'
his neck to get away for II they've
got US? I'd say it's the other way
round Likely two or three Of 'em
butted In here lookin' for US. This Nc
Cam wanted to make sure about
whose cattle were here. He must Of
left the others an the horses up In the
pines. When yore brother heard the
shootin' he figured the game was up
an lit out pronto. I'll bet he was
alone up there. Anyhow, I'm goin'
up to find out. Well know then where
we're at. With Manuel posted at the
Narrows this Mccain can't get out
down the gulch. My notion Is we've