Evening star., 1935-03-20
CHAPTER XXXIV.


THE guards were kicking the
woman to her feet again,
laughing. Then, with shouted
l. command, they started the
string of the condemned for
ward into the throat of the valley.
But the two guards did not follow
Immediately. They seemed to realize
that whatever the lips of the valley
closed over would never pass through
them again. They remained to argue
lleatedly over some money which one
Of the rascals held in his fist,
Perhaps it was the overplus out of
which the officer of the RuraleS had
been cheated.
But Montana, as he watched, saw
q chance for action stranger than
anything he had ever dreamed of be-
fore. He looked at the friar, still lost
In profound prayer.
He looked quizzically at the girl;
then he started down the slope be-
hind the rocks, swerving quickly from
one to another until he was very close
to the spot where the two still argued.
They were not men. They had the
faces of beasts. The evil that was in
them made them seem like two blood
brothers. And now with snarling
mouths and Redeemed eyes they threat
ened each other.
They were still at it when the Kid
stepped out from behind the nearest
boulder.
There's a better way, brothers."
he said.
They started and faced him with
one movement. Both were armed, but
only with knives, and that long-bar-
relied Colt in the hand of Montana,
held no higher than his hip, watched
them both with single eye of
darkness.
I've been hearing" said Montana,
shat only choice men can get work
In the Valley CT the Dead, my friends,
and because want to take look at
the place. I've decided to make a va
cancy. Which one OF you ought to
die?"
They stared at him: they stared at
the gun.
You, there" directed Montana,
''you with the frog face, pick up that
length of rope and tie it to the wrist
Of your partner"
The thing was done.
Now, you on the right, tie the
other end Of that rope to your
friend
The man obeyed.
THE pair of you have Knives" said
Montana. Il sit here as the judge.
God knows that there's nothing so
useful you can do as die. The winner
lives, then, and step into the SAN
dals of the other rat. Start! You
understand? Or do you want me to
sift some lead into your hides?"
The smaller of the two seemed to
take in the idea first. His knife came
out In flash as he said, "A gift for
you, Felipe!"
And he struck the blade into his
companion. There was weight enough
In the blow and it was we'll enough
aimed, below the left shoulder; but
with light, tinkling sound the blade
snapped in two. The point, no doubt,
had struck a rib bone.
Francisco" screamed Felipe
"Devil"
And he hurled himself right at the
other.
Felipe had the strength, the length
Of arm, and knife which was un-
broken. He had the relentless vigor
of a bulldog, too. But Francisco was
as willy as snake. He could not
run because Of the rope that tied him
to his companion. But he could use
that rope to jerk Felipe off balance
A long slash had ripped open the
breast of Francisco. But he had wit
enough to spring far to the left and
throw his body to the ground. Felipe
toppled after him. met in falling by
the up-jabbing knife fragment in the
hand of his fellow.
They rolled together like two TOM
cats.
The fight was as brief. Big Felipe
lay on his back, his throat well
opened, a dozen other jagged wounds
in his breast from the rapid knife
work Of Francisco, and Francisco
pouring blood, dragged himself up and
sat on the body Of the dead man.
He united the rope from his left
wrist.
Well" said Francisco, "I am done
for. But that doesn't matter. sit on
the big half-wit now. If only the
senior could see how sit now! If you
really see Juan-Silva, amigo, tell him
hiw won the f1ght-and with a
broken knife"
Here he choked suddenly.
He bowed his head and leaned his
hand on the shoulder of Felipe.
The strength went out of him. The
arm which supported him began to
shake violently.
who are you?" he breathed.
eel Keed," said the Kid.