The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-11-04
CHAPTER FoRTY-F1vE

AG1fAI a DAN A III X r. I'VE
CTAN BALL sat on his horse and
- looked down over the slopes Of
Folly mountain. 1t was good to be
back after fighting the desert.
The air was clear and free from
dust and the crystal water that
tumbled freely in every little can
yon was sweet and cold. He sighed
and lighted another cigaret.
The sun just had showed clear
Of fringe Of high timber and hung
like radiant shield above the for =
est. Stan patted the neck Of his
black mare.
Looks too peaceful, too big, to
be bothered about few men shoot
ir one another" ne unused.
The mare shook her head impa-
tiently and her nostrils moved with
a.. sensitive response.
Stan finished the cigaret and
crushed its glowing end on the horn
of the saddle. I'VE got to line up
a few things over at Blind River,
lady. We might not be back this
way again-that is, not after we
get through with the Job we have
to do"
Stan raised in his saddle for one
last look over the valley below.
When he re-entered the valley that
afternoon, he meant to execute a
grim mission and leave swiftly.
Now he could drink in the IA
miliar scene without hurr. His
eyes Travelled down to where the
timber camp lay and dreamy look
came into them.
A swirling spiral of smoke caught
Balls eye. 1t was rising from above
the opposite ridge. Stan, always a
good woodsman, noted that the fire
was more than campers cooking
blaze.
Some fool tenderfoot has let his
campfire get into the spruce" Stan
said to the mare.
The smoke increased in volume
while Stan watched it. Ordinarily
he would have ridden straight tc
the spot and tried to put the fire
out, but now he was not free to &c
where he wanted.
Others would see the smoke anc
would go. Stan unused a little long
er. 1t was very early and the fire
might sweep nto the heavy timber
and spread beyond control before
anyone saw it.
With a grim smile, he sent the
black pounding down the slope II
the direction of the fire. This wa.
in line with the foolish things he
was used to doing.
He would likely have to do some
fast work to keep from being cap
tured after he had stamped out the
blaze, If he could do that.
TINE trail across the valley ano
u up the far slope was rough ano
Stan had no desire to have the
mare twist leg, so he held her in
and took the run at an easy lope
They struck the Pass Creek trail
and Numbered along for a couple
of miles, then swung off to the left
= The smoke was heavy now anc
indicated that the fire was in pitch
or pine wood, possibly green stand
ing timber.
Stan burst into the clearing that
surrounded Swergin's hidden cabin
to find the walls on two sides ablaze.
He pulled up and like flash his
trained eyes took in the situation.
Been set" he snapped.
The black mare paved inpatient
~ and swung around.
There might be some one inside.
Stan spoke thought that had
struck him instantly.
Leaping from the black mare he
ran toward the cabin. Long tongues
of fame licked upward around the
walls.
Stan shielded his face with his
arm and plunged ahead. He was
forced to retreat when ten feet from
the door, his clothes smoking anc
his hands smarting.
He ran around the cabin and ap-
uroached from the unburned side.