The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-10-28
CHAPTER XIII-Continued

explosion Of a gun Another almost
merged in the first, and few seconds
later came q third sound Ike the pop
ping OF a distant frecracker.
That was all. Carried on the eve
ming breeze 10 one not keyed by appre-
hension, they might have seemed
friendly greetings Of the night But
10 Wilson there was something in those
sounds that shook his soul They
seemed 10 him sinister signals Of trag-
edy. For he did not doubt thai Phil
had been challenged while escaping
and that in the fash Of guns which in
stantly followed somebody had been
hurt.
He listened nerves taut, heart
drenched with dread but no other
shots came 70 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 II impossible
10 wair there quietly while in doubt
about Pills fate Julia had put her
brother in his care. Perhaps the
youngster lay wounded somewhere on
the trail He must find out
Only a 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
g.
In the hollow back Of the pine-elad
slope Wilson found the pack horse and
his own mount Jim-Dandy. The latter
was saddled and tied by a slip knot
TO a young tree
He swung 10 his seat and rode down
the hill The entrance 10 the gulch
was perhaps a hundred and fifty yards
from the house He was still some
distance from il when a 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
ike 10 know. II might greatly sim
pity the problem before him.
Il reckon vel not go right now,
Jim-Dandy-not till I've had q look
at the cabin, anyhow. There's Just a
chance they've got Phil there"
he left the cowpony in draw and
moved with long even stride toward
the house. His rife be left beside the
horse 1t would only hamper him at
close quarters II il came TO a gun
play his As would be better.
No dog came barking 10 sound warn
ing Of his approach He came by the
rear. to a curtained window Of
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
his gaze the rest of il he had to move
70 the other side Of the window
Brown stood Just inside the door
way telling a 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 be
went by. Before he turned the bend
IN the trail I fred again"
Hit him?" demanded Gitner with
an oath
Don't know. He sure kept trav-
elm. 1 followed a III ways. then Lit
out up here TO tell you boys"
Know him?" asked Dunwig.
Brown pointed 10 Stark. His kid
brother"
Jasper's high voice betrayed his fear.
~They've got Us trapped" he whined.
ct told you / didn't want 70 throw in
with you in this rotten game. Carl.
BY Cd. we've got a 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 furtiye ap-
praisaL He was convinced that Stark
would betray them TO save his own
hide If the chance came Don't look
20 me Ike we're trapped Not by Il
jugfuL What's yore brother breakin'
his neck TO get away for If they've
got Us! I'd say it's the other way
round. Likely two or three of 'em
butted in here lookin' for u.s. This Nc
Cam wanted 10 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. II BET he was
alone up there. Anyhow. I'm goin'
up TO find out Wen know then where
we're at. With Manuel posted at the
Narrovs this Mccain can't get out
down the gulch- Ny notion is we've
got that guy where We want him"
Girner shook a huge fist savagely.
q speak for him Lemme have him
an I'll sure riddle him aplenty." he
cried with fierce oath.
Again the terror that was riding
Jasper Stark cried out Tell you
we're trapped If ever get outa here
alive
He did not finish the sentence. But
as il stood the meaning was clear
enough, a threat TO abandon those
with whom he was allied. perhaps 60
betray them The eyes of Gitner and
Dunwig met. and q message passed
between them In that long look he
was condemned. For they knew their
lives were ct the mercy Of this weak