Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1936-03-27

After their initial surprise and de-
feat, the Apaches became wary and
many Of them dismounted to send
hail of slugs and bullets smacking
viciously against the rocks protecting
ken's position. Leaves, twigs and
bits Of stone was ShoWered onto the
crouching frontiersman; and once
splash of hot lead drew the bl God to
mis- cheek.
Up above, the fight for the trestle
had for the moment degenerated into
a pinning duel in which carbines and
muskets snapped like vicious dogs.
On the shadowy meadows the Mes
caleros were gathering again. Then,
with a sudden whoop, some fifty or
sixty of them raced for the ford, and,
amid a furry of flying spray, tried
to cross the stream before the oil
could spread itself sufficiently. 1t
seemed that their hurried attempt
would succeed, though Ken frantical-
ly wrenched out the bungs of all three
barrels. Too late! An icy hand SEEM
ed to squeeze his heart when he real
lied that the foremost horsemen
would, in spite of his strategy, gain
the bank on which he crouched.
With hurried motions he replaced
the bungs, slapped the protective clay
into place and set fire to the stream
as before. Then, rising on one knee,
he whipped up his carbine and opened
hasty but accurate fire on those
Apaches whose dripping ponies were
just about to scramble up the near
bank.
1t was not hard shooting for, when
the fire leaped across the stream and
lit the scene with a vivid glare, it sill
houtted the barbaric horsemen into
ideal targets. With incredible speed
the kneeling hunter knocked six
Apaches from thir horses and into
the flaming water.
Had one of two Of them actually
got across? Ken, shielding his eyes
from the glare, could not be sure be-
cause of the oily black smoke that
was curling downstream and momen-
tarily yelling the scene.
keep on goin'! Get your men up
there, Tall Bear!"
Fury filled Ken's heart when, amid
the darkness on the far bank, he rec
ognzed Mescalero Ted's deep voice
sounding above the Shrill outcries Of
his savage followers. Apparently,
the renegade had but recently arrived
on the scene, for in a bull-like voice
he profanely ordered back the mount
ed Apaches across the dinly seen
meadows.
Lucia! Then she's with him!" A
groan sprang from Ken's lips, when,
by final flare of the fire, he caught
a fleeing glimpse of slender figure,
very picturesque in mems breeches,
sombrero and a light blue flannel
shirt. That slightly built rider was
far away, but it was Lucia, he knew
it. Sickened, he beheld her riding by
the side of the man she had elected to
follow. 1t was only glimpse he had,
for shortly afterwards a mass of rid
ers eclipsed her from view.
Promptly the renegade's strategy
became evident and Ken felt the cold
breath of defeat tanning his face.
Again and again small parties Of
Apaches would gallop down to the
ford, would start to wade out into the
water, but as soon as Ken had drained
some fhis precious coal oil onto the
water, they would dash back, bowling
threats of death.
When this had occurred two or
three times, sweat commenced to pour
into Ken's anxious eyes. The kerO-
sene was all but gone now. He could
tell that when he hammered on the
casks with the butt of "little Andy u
Yes, they doomed hollow as his hopes
of victory. The Apaches had only to
feint few more times and then they
would get across and the awful mas
sacre at Novedad would commence
The massacre he had been counted on
to avert.
Il tried" the desperate hunted pant
ed to himself. II done the best
could, but-but-but faint no use
The cards is too strong for Ted ano
that hell-cat, Lucia-God, but she
|, sure made a fool of me. Anyhow,
, didn't fall for that Golden Horn rack.
| ct" He felt better about that, fol-
once she hadn't fooled him.
Suddenly on the bank directly above
. him there was a stealthy movement
and among the alders he distinguish
, ed single shadowy figure.
"a 'Pache sharpshooter." Fierce
satisfaction filled him as he whipped