Plentywood herald., 1933-12-07
CHAPTER VI-Continued


Its too early to turn In" she said
aloud. Then, In low tones to Eric.
"We're all ready. | want to stay here
with you and Wilcox till the last min.
ute. couldn't bear to have you pc
through lt--alone.' y
I'll never forget 1t, Nan. / was
starting to break. but you've given me
fresh heart. BY Cd, can face 'em
now r.
Dads watching everything. about
fifty steps off He's going to come In
at the first sign OF trouble. And don't
worry about me. Eric. I've given you
my promise, and I'll keep 1t. AS soon
as ! see there's no hope for you, I'll
sprint for the boat"
"Good grill think that's better
than trying to leave now. sandomar
might get 1t Into his head to follow
you--and anything might happen In
the darkness" He drew a long breath.
ssNan, are you all right7H
Ripping" But the glitter In her
eyes and the crimson flower In each
pale cheek belied her words.
'I'm not going to walt any more. I
think they've got some game, and I
mean to beat 'em to It II show them
I'm not afraid OF them, maybe they'll
back down.
Nan steeled her suffocatIng heart
and leyeled her gaze to his. Il don't
believe they can stop you. !.
Now let drive"
Eric stepped full Into the freight.
"Garge," he called clearly.
There was brief silence. The gang,
massed around Sandomar, froze In
their tracks. I'm 'ere,' the little
cockney answered at last.
"The fires getting low. You and
Sandomar rustic some driftwood."
The gang stared long at Eric, to see
II his gaze would fall. 1t only grew
sharper. so one by one they turned
expectant eyes to his adversary. 1t
was Cargo who had brought the tale
OF the defective revolver: here was
direct and unmistakable challenge
for him to prove his story. No doubt
Eric was bluffing. but 1t was bold
blum, and these bold men gave him
credit.
Sandomar grunted question; Cargo
waggled an answer. But Eric's voice
cracked through the silence. cutting
the parley short.
You heard me, Garge7 Get some
driftwood and be quick about It."
The little cockney steeled his soul
and stepped forward. I'VE ain't GO
Ing to 'eed your orders no more y
1t was all or nothing, now. The
men held their breaths.
4Look here, Cargo Eric spoke
slowly and clearly. II haven't forgot
ten what You and your pal tried this
afternoon. and I'm just hoping for a
chance to pay you back. / give you
and Sandomar one-half minute to obey
my command"
"What you going to do IL we don't7"
I'm going to put a hole through
you. And your half minute Is going by
mighty fast"
THAT gun Of yours won't shooti'
Garge's voice rose shrill.
The straits were now desperate.
Wen see whether 1t will or not"
Eric drew the revolver, and pointed
the barrel straight Into the air. Are
You going71
Eric was NO longer cool. His eyes
were blazing. his voice hoarse, his
posture tense and threatening. Garge's
ACE began to turn gray and weazen
lp. 1t might be that he was break
ng.
But suddenly, from no visible cause
he whole aspect Of the scene changed.
Mans narrowed luminous eyes saw
he difference even before Eric's, and
Ter sharp, sane fears swelled into
rage monstr0ns shapes OF terror.
Somehow. Eric no longer held the up- |
yer hand. Garge's pale lips drew into |
| hideous lear; Sandomars hands |
.Ienched and quivered: the men
,rouched ready to charge. Events
vere whirling toward an undreamed /
'llmax- Some black plot had pros
thunderbolt was about to
Ill.
Beside your ,It was Mans voice.