The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-10-17

Il
Swergin demanded.
Stan did as he was told and Swer-
gin produced a length of light rope.
| With one hand he jerked the rope
around STAINS wrists until the rem
pen strands cut deep into the flesh.
Leaving a length Of the rope loose
he tossed it to the floor. THAT will
take care of you" He grinned.
Stan Ball did not vince as the
rope bit into his wrists. He ex-
pected worse than that to come
and had ceased to be much inter-
ested. Physical pain could not touch
| the bitterness that welled up in his
heart.
| Dona got to her feet and stood
watching. She could find no
fault with the way Swergin had
handled the capture. Ball had to be
safely bound for he was danger
Gus man. She could not keep down
feeling of admiration for the way
he took it, standing up straight
with that crooked smile still on his
lips.
Swergin was plainly angered by
his prisoners lack of feeling. He
thrust his beefy face close to STAINS
and leered. Think you're hard.
Ell? Well, we'll see!" He picked up
tile loose rope end. Move outside"
Stan went with a firm stride.
When they wero out on the bench
Swergin turned to Dona. You can
ride the black"
Stan had hoped that Swergin
would decide to ride the mare. This
would have been a break, for the
l. L. -, l., CO. 20
Ball.
Dona looked at Stan instinctively.
He nodded and whistled. The
his bound arms.
1.-THE lady wants to ride" Stan
spoke softly.
Dona mounted and sat waiting
for the mare to make a move. The
horse looked at Stan in surprise
and he spoke reassuringly to her.
Swergin climbed upon his horse
and fastened the loose end of STAINS
bonds to his saddle horn. step
Quit" he ordered.
Stan led the way down through
the cleft of rock with Swergin rid
ing at his back. The big timber
boss kept his gun ready all the
while. Undoubtedly he was enjoy
ing the capture.
Already her triumph over Stan
Ball had lost its flavor for Dona.
She was western bred and could not
help but admire brave man. Ball
certainly was proving his courage.
They wound down through the
timber for a mile, then Swergin
changed their direction. He made
Ball tear off to the right in the gen.
eral direction of Pass Creek. They
did not halt, though the sun had
become hot and STAINS face was
streaked with perspiration and
dust. Finally Dona rode up beside
Swergin and demanded that they
stop.
Swergin pulled up, jerking saw
agely on the lead rope; Stan did
not give a sign of the pain that the
sudden jerk caused his burning
wrists. whats up?" Swergin de-
manded roughly.
"Why aren't you heading for
camp" Dona asked.
IL got to take this snake to a
place where the boys won't. find
him. What you think would hap
pen if l rode right in with him?
Ill Ill OlllCSl VI lhC law. oWCl III
fairly smirked as he made this ex-
PLANTATION.
Dona could not help but agree
with the big boss. He was doing
just what any officer would have
done. She was about to demand
easier treatment of the prisoner
but held her tongue. After all,
Swergin was acting we'll enough,
considering what he had suffered
at Balls hands.
They moved on at steady pace
until they came to a cabin hidden
l. a thick growth of uncut spruce.
The place was so well hidden that
it would have been passed at close
range by anyone who did not know
it's location among the rank under
growth that choked the trunks of
the sturdy spruce.
Swergin dismounted and marched
Stan into tie cabin. The door was
open as though someone had pre-
pared for this event. DOna entered
behind the two men. The cabin was
bare except for split log table and
two benches made after the same
pattern. Swergin backed Stan up
against the wall at the far end of
the cabin. Two pegs had been
driven into the logs waist high and
the timber boss made his prisoner
fast to them.
Swergin faced Dona. you stay
here with this gun" he handed her
STAINS revolver, while I ride hell
fer leather and get few good men
to take him in. I'll only be gone
about an hour. Then you can go on
in. I'll see your old man and tell
him you're safe"
Dona nodded and sat down on
one OF the benches facing her pri-
soner. Swergin hurried out and
leaped upon his horse. Dona could
hear him laundering down the
slope toward camp.
She met her prisoners eyes and
found them glinting with a hint of
amusement.
ITO Be COntinued)